Home » Adventure Travel News » United Kingdom Brings Nature Lovers to Remote Islands, Coastal Retreats, and Unique Rewilding Projects for an Exceptional and Eco-Conscious Escape into Untouched Wilderness

Sunday, July 20, 2025

United Kingdom has a various good experiences in store for the nature lover and adventurous travelers, a great place for family and wildlife lover. From far-flung islands, perfect for whale watching, to rewilding projects where guests can get hands-on with conservation, the UK offers a heady mix of outdoor adventures. Whether camping under the dark skies of Scotland, exploring marine life on Wales’ coast, or visiting England’s lush greenery, the UK guarantees a unique escape, including stunning vistas and close wildlife encounters.

Tiree, an island in the Inner Hebrides, is a paradise where the sea and sky dominate. Stretching just 12 miles long and 3 miles wide, this small island offers incredible opportunities for wildlife enthusiasts, particularly for those keen on whale watching The waters around Tiree are rich in marine life, establishing it as one of the top destinations in the UK for oceanic experiences.Tiree Sea Tours, a member of the WiSe national training scheme that focuses on minimizing wildlife disturbances, offers exciting half-day and full-day sea-faris, starting at £75. Visitors can catch glimpses of majestic creatures like basking sharks, which often circle the island’s plankton-rich waters. Ideal viewing spots for these creatures include Hynish Bay and Caoles, or even from the CalMac ferry en route to Coll. For accommodation, Sunset Pods provides two cabins offering stunning views of Balevullin Beach. With a minimum one-week stay in July and August, prices start at £700 per week. The cabins are situated near a recognized Dark Sky area and are in proximity to Blackhouse Watersports.

On the other hand, the Isle of Sheppey, perched on the Thames Estuary, is a haven for migrating shorebirds, with thousands flocking to its shores each year. Elmley Nature Reserve offers a truly immersive experience with pop-up summer bell tents for up to four people (from £170 a night, minimum two nights). Guests can explore the reserve through Wildlife Wander Walks, where they’ll spot species like egrets, lapwings, and marsh harriers. Off-road adventures in a Land Rover, accompanied by an ecologist, are also available from £20. Jet Stream Tours adds to the adventure, offering a four-hour around-the-island trip that showcases Elmley and the cliffs of Eastchurch for £90 per family.

Further west, on the Llŷn Peninsula, Bert’s Kitchen Garden campsite (from £44 per pitch) offers an authentic and dynamic experience for campers. The campsite is run by a husband-and-wife team who opened Beachside, a cafe on wheels, serving local produce and Heartland Coffee Roasters. Guests can enjoy the site’s new sauna after a bracing swim in the sea. The private beach is perfect for families looking to explore the water, with paddleboards and kayaks available for hire.

For those seeking an inland experience, Llyn Gwynant campsite in Eryri National Park provides access to a river, mountain, and lake, with boat hire just steps away (from £16pp, day visitors from £5pp). Glanllyn Lakeside caravan and camping park, located on Bala Lake, also offers easy access to a pebbled beach and water activities (from £27 per pitch). Both spots offer picturesque views and ample opportunities for outdoor fun.

Coombeshead, a 162-hectare rewilding site in the Tamar Valley, is run by renowned campaigner Derek Gow. Families staying in a shepherd’s hut can partake in rewilding activities and learn about the site’s growing efforts to reintroduce species such as white storks, wild cats, and European lynx. The off-grid shepherd’s hut and campsite (from £12 per night) also features a rewilding garden and the opportunity to join guided wild walks or dusk beaver-watching tours (from £28 per person).

Northwich Woodlands, a former derelict site now teeming with over 2,000 plant and animal species, provides a haven for nature lovers. The site spans more than 323 hectares, encompassing nine distinct habitats such as wildflower meadows and wetlands. Kids can enjoy guided pond-dipping and bug-hunting days throughout the summer, making it a perfect family destination. Additionally, canal boat hire is available from Anderton Marina, allowing visitors to explore the Weaver Navigation and Trent and Mersey canals (from £431 per night, minimum two nights).

Epping Forest, one of the UK’s most family-friendly forests, offers over 30 child-friendly trails. Visitors can access maps from the Epping Forest Visitor Centre, or use the Epping Forest Walks app to navigate trails of all abilities. The Lee Valley Almost Wild campsite, located near Broxbourne station, is an ideal base for exploring the area (from £30 per pitch). The summer brings a host of events, including crafting at the Toot Hill Country Show and a 90-minute obstacle course at Wild Forest (from £22).

Families can immerse themselves in the wild at Heggs Farm, a 55-hectare rewilding project in the Yorkshire Dales. Through CampWild, guests can stay at the farm’s two camping spots (from £15) or a camping bothy (from £45) and participate in conservation activities like tree planting and wetland creation. The nearby Broughton Sanctuary also offers conservation events, including tree-planting and nature exploration, ideal for young adventurers.

For marine lovers, Scotland’s first Marine Protected Area Visitor Centre at Lamlash is a must-visit. Featured in David Attenborough’s documentary Ocean, the centre hosts a variety of activities, including snorkel taster sessions (from £40) and boat trips to study marine habitats and plankton (from £30).

Those looking for an adventurous water-based activity can visit some of the best surfing spots, such as Rest Bay and Woolacombe, which are less than three hours from Bristol. Campervan hire companies are setting up shop in the city, offering luxurious options like Roadsurfer’s Surfer Suite (£65) or Shaka’s converted baker’s van (£110). Families can also camp at Sandy Bay campsite near Rest Bay or Little Roadway Farm near Woolacombe, where the sand dunes and sweeping beaches provide the perfect backdrop.

In Scotland, Aberdeenshire offers some of the best stargazing opportunities in the country. Cairngorm Bothies, located on the eastern edge of the Cairngorms National Park, offers an ideal base for stargazing, with guided excursions available for guests (from £125 a night, two nights minimum). Nearby, Glen Tanar’s visitor centre is another designated Dark Sky discovery site.

Nature lovers and thrill seekers can enjoy whale watching and rewilding projects in the United Kingdom, as well as stunning scenery. With stargazing in the wilderness to conservation projects, it’s the UK’s ultimate family break.

Mountain bikers keen to pedal around are in luck too, with Sutton Bank Centre in the North York Moors National Park having unveiled new gravel biking routes this summer. These are some of the easiest adventures to get into — and are suitable for all skill levels (especially beginners).Packages begin at £40 for a day’s hire. The same river also has extraordinary kayaking, thanks to The Kayak Coach (from £60), offering trips along the UK’s first river to have legal rights.