Try something new
You can’t quite believe you’re there, really there, manning a sailing boat off Portsmouth on this blustery spring day. It’s something that’s always featured on your Things To Do Before I’m Sixty list (usually near the top, come to think of it) and now here you are, the spray stinging your cheeks as you cut through the waves at breakneck speed. It was yesterday that your children drove you down for this surprise sailing course, and although you were delighted, you also felt a touch of anxiety. Would you make a fool of yourself? Would everyone else be a budding Ellen Macarthur? In the event, the instructors made you feel at home with the other novices, and here you are, just five hours of sailing lessons later, on your maiden voyage and loving every second of it. And you’ve just discovered a new world.
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England’s rural landscapes are places to try something different. Be bold. Be energetic. Leap out of your comfort zone. Or simply try your hand at something more relaxing.
Read our top ideas
Whether your inclination is to explore the great outdoors on two legs or two wheels, England’s unique variety of landscapes means you don’t have to have travel far to make the most of its walking and cycling routes.
More about walking and cycling
England’s waterside offers the perfect escape. Picnic hamper and binoculars, sketchpad and camcorder at the ready? Then cast off for a fabulous boating holiday. Hop on, hop off along 3,100 miles of England’s navigable inland waterways. Breathtaking!
More about boating in England
From fishing in the picturesque lakes of Stately Homes to pitting your skills against the wily wild brown trout in a moorland stream, freshwater fishing in England can be a challenge or a tranquil pastime.
Places to fish
You don't need to be a pro to experience world class golf in England. We have excellent golf courses all over the country and many are open to the public all year round.
Golfing breaks
You can’t really get any closer to nature than this! There are plenty of bridleways to explore all over the country. England’s varied terrain and assortment of horse holiday providers means that every level of experience and expertise is catered for.
More about horse riding
You don't have to leave England to get an adrenalin rush or sense of adventure – types of activities available range from bungee-jumping, white-water rafting, sky diving, rock-climbing and surfing to long-distance trekking or mountain biking.
Get extreme in England
Take to the air and discover England from above. From hot air balloons and helicopters to the London Eye and aeroplanes there are lots of ways to enjoy the bird's eye view.
Up, up and away
There's sailing, canoeing, kayaking and white-water rafting in England's many waterways and of course in the open sea around our coast! You can try your hand at water skiing, surfing, wake boarding - or how about kite-surfing? You'll get wet, tired and probably thoroughly exhilarated, so you have been warned!
Read more about watersports
The Zorb is a gigantic inflatable pvc ball standing about three metres in height, which contains another smaller ball that is suspended into position by thousand nylon strands of varying colours.
More about zorbing