White-water rafting on the Snowdonia River, north Wales
An exhilarating, breath-catching ride over cascading rapids that sends the inflatable boats hurtling downriver, white-water rafting is a great choice for those looking to get the adrenaline going. One-hour taster sessions are available, with two-hour experiences offering the chance to have four runs down the bubbling rapids of the Upper Tryweryn River. Stay at Plas Yn Dre (doubles from £120 B&B; plasyndre.co.uk), a buzzy hotel and restaurant on Bala High Street. nationalwhitewatercentre.co.uk
Cycling the Monmouth and Brecon Canal
Meandering through 35 miles of glorious countryside, the pleasingly flat towpath along one of Britain’s most captivating canals is a delightful place for a cycle tour. Hire conventional or electric bikes in Abergavenny, and stop for lunch at the Star Inn at Tal-y-Bont, or take a picnic and soak up the views of Sugar Loaf mountain. Stay at the Angel (doubles from £160; angelabergavenny.com) in Abergavenny, an elegant former coaching inn that offers legendary afternoon teas. canalrivertrust.org.uk
Fly fishing on the River Test, Hampshire
One of the UK’s premier fly-fishing rivers – and where the modern pastime of dry-fly fishing was invented – the Test is home to brown trout, Atlantic salmon, and grayling, with fisheries dotted along the banks. Day tickets and tuition can be arranged, but the easiest way to enjoy the river is to stay at the 16th-century Greyhound (doubles from £175 B&B; thegreyhoundonthetest.co.uk), which offers fishing tuition and has a private stream at the bottom of the garden. test-itchen.com
Learn to sail at Roadford Lake, Devon
Learn the basics of sailing in an RYA class, with Level 1 and 2 classes available for juniors and adults. At the same time, experienced sailors can launch their own dinghies for a small fee, and buoyancy aids are available. The Roadford Café offers restorative cakes and light lunches a half-hour walk from the activity center. Stay at Lewtrenchard Manor (doubles from £162 B&B; lewtrenchard.co.uk), an elegant Jacobean manor house converted into a welcoming, family-run hotel. swlakestrust.org.uk
Kayaking on the Beaulieu River, Hampshire
A tranquil waterway in the busy New Forest, the Beaulieu River is a National Nature Reserve, rich in flora and fauna. Independent kayakers tend to set off from Lepe Beach, but most visitors book a half-day kayaking experience that includes some tuition. Stay at the Montagu Arms in the picturesque village of Beaulieu (doubles from £210 B&B, montaguarmshotel.co.uk), an upscale country house hotel with two restaurants and a top-notch spa. newforestactivities.co.uk
Waterfall swimming, Ddwli Falls, Brecon Beacons
An idyllic place for a dip, Ddwli Falls cascades into a glassy-clear pool – one of a string of 20 to be found along the surrounding five miles of the Fechan and Mellte rivers. On a sunny day, the spray throws up rainbows, and there’s plenty of shallow water to splash about in with younger children. Stay at the Rheolau Arms in Abercrave (from £80; therheolauarms.co.uk), a cozy B&B with lovely views over the Tawe. breconbeacons.org
Source: Guardian
