1 – Great Glen Water Park

Located in the Highlands of Scotland, Great Glen Water Park borders Loch Oich and Loch Lochy, and features a range of different activities. These included being able to enjoy gorge walking, quad biking and paintball, while also taking advantage of the centre’s heated pool and junior activity parks.

Arran, Scotland / Hermés

2 – Gurnard Pines

Found in the coastal Isle of Wight town of Cowes, Gurnard Pines is another excellent family park that allows families to enjoy different activities in a secure environment. Some of the best activities to be found at the park include archery and sailing.

3 – Canoeing and Climbing, Devon

For more general river canoeing and climbing holidays, it is worth looking into trips to Devon. Camping holidays and resort stays along the River Dart are particularly recommended, with many companies offering river and kayaking experiences for different ages and abilities.

4 – Go Ape

With 27 sites around the UK, the Go Ape experience is recommended for families and hen and stag parties in particular. Go Ape features the chance to explore woodland locations through climbing and obstacle courses, as well as a high rise zip wire slide.

5 – Bainland Country Park

Located in Lincolnshire, Bainland Country Park is one of the premier adventure parks in the UK, and also features excellent shops, restaurants and relaxing spa treatments.

Rock climbing in Swanage / Jim Champion

6 – Rock Climbing

Different kinds of rock climbing holidays can be booked around the UK, which are catered to different abilities and height difficulties. Most trips are either short courses, typically spread over a weekend, or as part of longer holidays. Areas like Swanage, Cornwall and the Gower in South Wales come particularly recommended for their rock formations.

7 – Swimming

There are many opportunities around the UK for open swimming and diving. Some of the best locations for more adventurous swimmers include the Isles of Scilly off the coast of Cornwall, as well as special trips along the Thames, and within the Lake District.

8 – Walking and Hiking

Many different companies offer guided walks and hiking around some of the most beautiful locations in the UK. Walks and camping trips around the Brecon Beacons are strong choices for those who want to enjoy higher peaks, while a walking tour of an area like the Cotswolds also creates opportunities for pony trekking and lighter journeys.

9 – Hengar Manor

Deep in the Cornish countryside, the Bodmin resort of Hengar Manor offers spa treatments and an idyllic location for adventuring and relaxing.

10 – Sherwood Castle Forest

Part of a large section of private woodland in the heart of Nottinghamshire, Sherwood Castle Forest has extensive adventure activities, and is also ideal for families wanting to explore nature trails and see wildlife.

Brought to you by the bloggers at hoseasons.co.uk. Providing fantastic UK family holidays.

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Plymouth, Devon / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Herry Lawford

Amongst the Devon coastline, other UK towns that are popular for retirement are Eastbourne, Bournemouth and Blackpool. The only seaside town in the South that really shakes the retirement reputation is Brighton. So can Devon compare to the Bright lights of Brighton, or is it edging ever closer to the older average age of Eastbourners?

Devon Towns

The county of Devon is divided in to small villages and towns, the largest in order, being Plymouth, Exeter and Torquay. The smallest Parish of Hatherleigh has a population of just over 1300, and the mid weight towns of Ilfracombe and Dartmouth have an average population of 10,000. Plymouth is twice the size of Exeter and has around 240000 residents.

Plymouth

Plymouth is famous for its Gin, is a naval City steeped in History and also home to a large University. Thanks to the high population of students, there’s a fair share of bars and clubs, but the city is also popular with tourists who want to see where some of the world’s most famous explorers in history set sail. Plymouth is neither young nor old.

Exeter

Another university city, Exeter is a little more cosmopolitan than Plymouth and has a higher concentration of bars in the centre, as well as being a better centre for art and theatre. Exeter has a younger and more creative buzz to it than Plymouth and most other areas of Devon.

Exeter Cathedral / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Phillip Capper

Dartmouth

A medium sized Parish sat on the mouth of the river Dart, Dartmouth is a popular place for romantic weekends away in Dartmouth cottages and riverside apartments, and is likely to be more popular with the more regular travellers and those with an interest in sailing and water sports. Dartmouth has a good mix of country walks, relaxed nightlife and things to see and do in the day so is popular with couples and families.

Torquay

Torquay enjoys 22 miles of coastline and sandy bays, so is really popular with anyone interested in water sports, which are readily available to try in the area. Torquay is firmly on the radar of surf enthusiasts and is home to several surf schools and webcams that can be accessed across the world for the keenest of surfers to check out the waves. And with the surfing culture comes parties, new pals and a groovier pace of life.

So Devon; Surfer’s paradise of Senior Settlement? Neither. It seems Devon has plenty to offer visitors of all ages in each of its unique areas, so there is never a better reason to see what’s on offer in Devon when you book your next UK break away.

Lara Moreton is a travel writer who has travelled most of the UK coastline looking for the best beaches. Lara is a keen conservationist.

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