On your doorstep
Taking the high road
The 7stanes is an interlinked network of 400km of mountain biking trails in the Scottish borders. Suitable for all abilities and set among some of the most stunning forests in Britain. The award-winning project, managed by the Forestry Commission Scotland, continues to be developed and improved. New for this year will be blue- and red-graded trails at Dalbeattie and Ae, a new blue trail at Glentrool and challenging, additional trails in the Skills Parks at Glentress and Mabie.
The 7stanes has also installed artwork along some of the trails by Carlisle-born sculptor Gordon Young – he says they represent the theme ‘Quest’.
www.7stanes.gov.uk
Branching out
While in the US recreational tree climbing has been going on for years, it is only recently that the UK is catching on to this quirky phenomenon. Scaling ancient oak trees using ropes and harnesses is done in a way the organisers claim do not to harm the tree. Paul McCathie, from Goodleaf, the tree climbing specialists operating on the Isle of Wight, says: ‘People like the adventure, or they like to be high up in the trees, swinging in the branches, in a hammock, swaying.’
Not a lot of strength is needed to climb a 18-metre high tree, and anyone aged 8-80 can try.www.goodleaf.co.uk
www.islandbreaks.com
Bike fest in the Lakes
There’s a whole week of biking heaven, to be enjoyed in the Lake District. The first Cumbria Bike Fest will offer loads of chances for cyclists, mountain bikers and families to all get on their bikes. There will be discounted bike hire and specialist group tours every day all over the Lakes, as well a weekend event at Lowther Deer Park, with stunt teams, refreshment tents, and bike tests. For those who want to prove their stamina, the final day of the festival will host the Merida Mountain Bike Marathon, over four different distances from 25km. The Fest starts on 7 May.
www.mtb-marathon.co.uk
www.lakedistrictoutdoors.co.uk
Wet ’n’ wild
At the heart of Rutland, Britain’s smallest county, is Rutland Water, one of the largest man-made lakes in Europe, containing 27,300 million gallons of water. Where there is plenty of water, there’s watersports, and Rutland’s Sailing Club and School offers sailing, windsurfing and canoeing tuition. It is worth checking out the weather report before you go, as wind conditions can vary. Call 01780 720 292.
You can also hire bikes for all the family at two locations around the lake, or enjoy a walk, to attempt some of the 26-mile circumnavigation.
www.angliawaterleisure.co.uk
www.goleicestershire.com/shortbreaks
Giant steps
The Giant’s Causeway, a staggering 40,000 stacks of layered basalt rock, is a protected World Heritage Site on the coast of County Antrim, in the northwest of Ireland – and the highlight of the Causeway Coast Way Walk. The waymarked trail is 52km long, and roughly a two or three day amble from Portstewart to Ballycastle. Rambling along the Causeway Coast, along beaches, on clifftops and over stiles, you will be traversing an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
www.waymarkedways.com
www.causewaycoastandglens.com
The 7stanes is an interlinked network of 400km of mountain biking trails in the Scottish borders. Suitable for all abilities and set among some of the most stunning forests in Britain. The award-winning project, managed by the Forestry Commission Scotland, continues to be developed and improved. New for this year will be blue- and red-graded trails at Dalbeattie and Ae, a new blue trail at Glentrool and challenging, additional trails in the Skills Parks at Glentress and Mabie.
The 7stanes has also installed artwork along some of the trails by Carlisle-born sculptor Gordon Young – he says they represent the theme ‘Quest’.
www.7stanes.gov.uk
Branching out
While in the US recreational tree climbing has been going on for years, it is only recently that the UK is catching on to this quirky phenomenon. Scaling ancient oak trees using ropes and harnesses is done in a way the organisers claim do not to harm the tree. Paul McCathie, from Goodleaf, the tree climbing specialists operating on the Isle of Wight, says: ‘People like the adventure, or they like to be high up in the trees, swinging in the branches, in a hammock, swaying.’
Not a lot of strength is needed to climb a 18-metre high tree, and anyone aged 8-80 can try.www.goodleaf.co.uk
www.islandbreaks.com
Bike fest in the Lakes
There’s a whole week of biking heaven, to be enjoyed in the Lake District. The first Cumbria Bike Fest will offer loads of chances for cyclists, mountain bikers and families to all get on their bikes. There will be discounted bike hire and specialist group tours every day all over the Lakes, as well a weekend event at Lowther Deer Park, with stunt teams, refreshment tents, and bike tests. For those who want to prove their stamina, the final day of the festival will host the Merida Mountain Bike Marathon, over four different distances from 25km. The Fest starts on 7 May.
www.mtb-marathon.co.uk
www.lakedistrictoutdoors.co.uk
Wet ’n’ wild
At the heart of Rutland, Britain’s smallest county, is Rutland Water, one of the largest man-made lakes in Europe, containing 27,300 million gallons of water. Where there is plenty of water, there’s watersports, and Rutland’s Sailing Club and School offers sailing, windsurfing and canoeing tuition. It is worth checking out the weather report before you go, as wind conditions can vary. Call 01780 720 292.
You can also hire bikes for all the family at two locations around the lake, or enjoy a walk, to attempt some of the 26-mile circumnavigation.
www.angliawaterleisure.co.uk
www.goleicestershire.com/shortbreaks
Giant steps
The Giant’s Causeway, a staggering 40,000 stacks of layered basalt rock, is a protected World Heritage Site on the coast of County Antrim, in the northwest of Ireland – and the highlight of the Causeway Coast Way Walk. The waymarked trail is 52km long, and roughly a two or three day amble from Portstewart to Ballycastle. Rambling along the Causeway Coast, along beaches, on clifftops and over stiles, you will be traversing an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
www.waymarkedways.com
www.causewaycoastandglens.com
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