Explore the coast of Cornwall
Stand-up paddleboarding seems to be the sport of the decade, and you won’t hear us complaining about that. The sport has its roots in Hawaii, but you can try it in the UK, too: Ticket to Ride is now offering new SUP tours that’ll have you exploring the Cornish coast and rivers at your own pace. Based in Newquay, it’s easily twinned with a family weekend. From £30; tickettoridesurfschool.co.uk
Try the best food in the SW at the Great Cornish Food Festival
A celebration of trail-blazing chefs and talented producers, this festival from 25-27 September is a foodie’s dream. Held in Truro, Cornwall’s capital, the exhibitor line-up includes household Cornish names like Sharp’s Brewery, and artisan producers including Deli Farm Charcuterie. No tickets, no entry fee – this is a free event! greatcornishfood.co.uk
Learn a thing or two at Wilderness Festival
Music, yes. Food, yes. But there’s more! Beyond the bands and DJs, this Oxfordshire festival (6-9 August) offers a Talks and Debates tent, a Fiction Tent (where you can learn how to pen a debut novel) and a host of workshops. The School of Thought tent also includes ‘how-to’ talks (such as How to Stay Calm and How to Take the Perfect Photo). Yes please. wildernessfestival.com
Dani Canto
Join a Pembrokeshire adventure
Forget land, the only way to really see the Pembrokshire Coast National Park in Wales is by water. Preseli Venture’s five-day, adults-only trip includes kayaking to secluded beaches, exploring sea caves and hurling yourself into the sea during a bit of coasteering. Rest weary limbs at its nearby eco lodge. From £599pp; preseliventure.co.uk
Snorkel through a bog
People travel the world to find the best dive sites, but everyone’s missing a trick, because the best snorkelling opportunities are in the town of Llanwrtyd Wells in Wales. Every August the town hosts the Bog Snorkelling World Championships, a wade through a deep mud- and water-filled trench, with the fastest swimmer crowned the winner. visitwales.com
Visit Wales
Dance at Henley Music Festival
Pulling in a crowd of 25,000 each year, Henley Festival is a gathering of musical talent. Over the weekend (8-12 July) you could see the likes of Jessie J and Spandau Ballet, alongside folk/bluegrass band Flats & Sharps and Grammy award-winning Gipsy Kings. Forget the tents, buy tickets based on the acts you want to catch. From £35; henley-festival.co.uk
2013 Satureyes Photography
Take a break in Bath
The eagerly-anticipated Gainsborough Bath Spa will be opening its doors to guests in July. Check in and you’ll bathe in the healing waters of the UK’s first thermal water spa. Down the road, the Pig – a mellow, 29-bedroom retreat – is the place for rustic roll-top baths and food sourced from a 25-mile radius. Expect top sausage rolls, Cheddar Ales and local cider. visitbath.co.uk
Visit the Isles of Scilly
For a turquoise-water island experience without the Maldives airfare, hop on over to the Isles of Scilly. Tresco is a family-owned island 30 miles off the Cornish Coast with empty beaches and clear water. On Bryher island you’ll find ocean views and a new crab shack at Hell Bay Hotel – don your aprons and scoff straight-from-the-boat crab, mussels and scallops from the shell. visitislesofscilly.com
Eat and dance at Big Feastival
Jamie Oliver and Alex James’s festival is a winning combo of great music AND grub. Held on a farm in the Cotswolds, the weekend’s line-up includes Groove Armada, Roots Manuva and Paloma Faith. Food wise, culinary talent comes from self-taught chef Raymond Blanc, and street food darling Gizzi Erskine. The Udder Stage is the place for great food: be sure to try Original Fry-Up Material. Camping tickets from £154; jamieoliver.com
Catch crabs at Dartmouth Crab Festival
Here’s a fun way to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon on the south coast. On 2 August, renowned chef Angela Hartnett will be hosting the Dartmouth Crab Festival, a street party with music, beer and, you guessed it, crabs. Sharing tables line the River Dart, loaded with seafood. Grab a bev and tuck into the very best South Devon crab. From £25; therockfish.co.uk
Live music, food festivals, thermal spas and, er, bog snorkelling (don’t knock it until you’ve tried it, we say). When it comes to a summer of fun and adventure, west, it seems, is definitely best.
Explore more than 270 destinations by train this summer, with advance one-way prices starting from £10. For the lowest fares to Totnes, Newquay and more, visit firstgreatwestern.co.uk
