A new tour operator offering adventure holidays in England’s national parks and wildest areas is being launched this month.
Wilderness England is a sister company to Wilderness Scotland and Wilderness Ireland.
The new offshoot will offer guided or self-guided small group trips, self-drive itineraries or private holidays explored on foot or by bike.
The programme will feature 17 new itineraries across the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, Peak District, Cotswolds and Northumberland.
Hand-picked accommodation is based on small hotels and inns featuring local food.
Sister company Wilderness Scotland was set up 20 years ago with a hiking trip in the Highlands.
Managing director Paul Easto said: “Over the last two years Wilderness Scotland has been gradually introducing itineraries that crossed into England and their popularity gave us the confidence to launch a full range of holidays under the Wilderness England brand.
“The growing trend towards the staycation, combined with our continued uncertainty of overseas travel, saw a 26% increase year-on-year in our bookings for private UK travel.
“While Wilderness England will offer some fully guided small group departures, the lion’s share of this programme is aimed at people who want to travel independently on active self-guided holidays, or partially-guided trips in the self-drive collection, reflecting this major shift in consumer demand.
“It is still very early days but since the website launched, our self-guided cycling holidays have attracted the highest level of interest from web users which shows the appeal of this style of travel.”
Sample price for a four-night Yorkshire cycling trip start at £845 per person based on four sharing with bed and breakfast accommodation.