With many families still favouring breaks closer to home this year, Sasha Wood rounds up the best wild UK getaways for clients with kids in tow
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1. Sea safari in the Scilly Isles
Unfurling from the southwestern tip of the UK, the Scilly Isles resemble a tropical archipelago when viewed from above – indented with white sand and haloed in turquoise blue. And these quaint and gentle islands are no less appealing from the ground. A haven for wildlife and humans alike, families can escape to the main isle of St Mary’s, where they can spot seals and seabirds, hear stories of shipwrecks and take a sea safari.
Book it: Prestige Holidays has a five-night Flora and Fauna tour on the Isles of Scilly from £1,599, featuring an expert guide and wildlife-spotting on land and sea.
toursprestigeholidays.co.uk
2. Off-grid in the Outer Hebrides
Exploring the natural playground of the Scottish Outer Hebrides is a dream for adventurous families made possible by Wilderness Scotland’s new crop of tours. These include self-catering self-drive family breaks to the Isle of Harris. The trip combines days with a local guide, hiking to little-known spots, searching for wildlife including otters, red deer and golden eagles, or cycling on the Golden Road. The tour factors in private time, when families can play on white-sand beaches or explore sites such as the Callanish Stones independently.
Book it: A seven-night trip costs from £450 per person, based on a small-group departure.
wildernessscotland.com
3. Slate escape in Wales
For an outdoor adventure in the UK, northwest Wales is difficult to beat: its slate landscape won Unesco status last year. As well as the picturesque mountains of Snowdonia National Park, it also covers the historic slate mines of Blaenau Ffestiniog around which Zip World has created ziplines and a climbing route through caverns and quarries. Explore offers an itinerary including a heritage train ride up Snowdon, slate mines visits, wild coastal walks and a rib tour to Anglesey Island.
Book it: A seven-night North Wales Adventure tour costs from £1,239.
explore.co.uk
4. Giants, myths and legends
Ancient myths and legends abound on Northern Ireland’s coastline, not least at the Giant’s Causeway. It has also inspired modern tales such as hit TV show Game of Thrones, which was shot in local spots such as Ballintoy Harbour. Families can join a guided tour by land and sea with Wilderness Ireland, which encompasses filming locations, a hike to the Giant’s Causeway, scrambling over Gobbins path, canoeing and searching for puffins on Rathlin Island.
Book it: Wilderness Ireland offers a six-night itinerary from €2,650 per person based on a family of four including accommodation, activities and most meals.
wildernessireland.com
5. Walking with dinosaurs
Stunning coastal highlights such as Durdle Door, and the chance to hunt for dinosaur fossils on beautiful beaches make a trip along southern England’s Unesco-listed Jurassic Coast truly memorable for all the family. Brave the bracing wind on cliff climbs and explore hidden coves where 140-million-year-old fossils can be found in rocks or washed up at low tide. A guided tour from Weymouth to Swanage covers the undulating coastal footpath in short sections.
Book it: A five-day tour with an expert guide and accommodation costs from £600.
intrepidtravel.com
PICTURES: Shutterstock/ Timothy Dry, Christian Mueller, travellight, Alexey Fedorenko, EyesTravelling
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