1. Ponies and pints, Dartmoor
For a hack with a difference, try one of these 20-mile rides via a country pub. Riders arrive early to meet their mounts, before setting off all day across the moors, with a stop for lunch at the local to refuel. The moors offer varied and dramatic riding terrain, from open stretches of turf for galloping to banks and ditches to jump, and there's hardly any traffic. Riders should have some experience and be fairly fit. And if you're really keen to keep your costs down, wild camping is permitted on Dartmoor, so just find a nice spot and pitch up for free.
• Rides cost £60 not including lunch. Shorter rides available from £18 an hour, skaighstables.co.uk (+44 (0)1837 840429).
• See dartmoor.co.uk or dartmoor-npa.gov.uk for more information on camping.
2. Hot dogs in Brecon, Wales
No, we're not suggesting a trip to the local cinema, these hot dogs are self-bailing micro rafts - perfect for tackling some of Wales's white water runs on the River Wye. Each raft carries three people and they sit low down in the water, making them more versatile in shallower water. Trips cover up to 15 miles, encountering grade two to four rapids, including the "hell hole" – an infamous section on Middle Wye - as well as gentler, scenic stretches of the river. Hot dogging runs until March, when the rivers are high – the thrill and speed will hopefully take your mind off how cold the water is, if the wetsuit doesn't do the trick.
• Black Mountain Activities, £65 per person, including waterproofs, buoyancy aids and helmets. Stay in Hafod-y-Garreg (+44 (0)1982 560400) in nearby Builth Wells, with double rooms from £60 per night on a b&b basis.
3. High as a kite in Pembrokeshire, Wales
Sunbathing can be a short-lived activity in Wales, but fortunately there are plenty of alternative beach diversions to keep goosebumps at bay. Kite surfing is fun whatever the weather, as it involves using a kite to pull you through the water on a small board. Beginners can opt for a one-day taster or a two-day course designed to equip you the skills needed to safely and confidently practice on your own. There are also tailor-made courses for advanced kitesurfers.
• Big Blue Kite Surfing in Pembrokeshire, offers courses all year round, starting from £95pp for a one-day or £190pp for a two-day beginners' course.
• Big Blue has two handmade Mongolian yurts available for hire which they will deliver and construct at your chosen campsite. The 10ft yurt sleeps two to a cosy five, £50 a night, £300 a week; the 12ft yurt sleeps five to a cosy seven, £60 a night, £360 a week. Prices don't include campsite fees. Or stay overnight at Crug-Glas Country House (+44 (0)1348 831302) nearby. Doubles from £100 per night on a b&b basis.
4. Cycle in tandem in Cumbria
Cycling is a rewarding way to explore Cumbria - and a way to avoid the holiday traffic. On a tandem you'll have double the leg power to conquer the hills and someone to share the views with at the top. Windermere Cycle Hire Centre is situated right at the railway station so you can hop straight off the train and on to your bike. A full day's tandem hire costs £30, which includes helmet, route sheets, map-holder, lock and expert route advice - and you can book your bike online so it's all ready for you by the time you arrive. If you'd prefer to go it alone, a normal bike costs from £15 for a day's hire.
• See for more information countrylaneslakedistrict.co.uk/windermere_cycle_hire.htm (+44 (0)1539 444544)
• Stay at The Brown Horse Inn, Winster, Bowness-on-Windermere (+44 (0)15394 43443). Weekend rate: £45pp pn B&B or £70pp per night B&B, based on two sharing.
5. Sea kayak in Shetland
Scotland is one of the top destinations in the world for sea kayaking, being blessed with stunning coastal scenery - sheltered coves, hidden caves and clear waters – as well as incredible marine and bird life. Part of the appeal of sea kayaks is that they are such a tranquil way of exploring the coast - you can paddle into remote coves and shallow stretches of coastline and get really close to the animals without disturbing them. Look out for seals, otters, puffins and guillemots. Sea Kayak Shetland provides day trips and guided expeditions with a fully-qualified local leader. And with a Visitscotland adventure pass you can pay for one and get the next person half price. Normally £60 per person for a full day including packed lunch, with the adventure pass it's £90 per couple (saving of £30). Or a half day is £35 per person - total £70 for a couple.
• Self-catering hostel-style accommodation for up to 26 people is available at the Bridge End Outdoor Centre, where Sea Kayak Shetland have their main base (£10pp per night). There's also a small camp site behind it (£5pp per night). Alternatively stay at the excellent five-star YHA Islesburgh Youth Hostel (+44 (0)1595 692114), in Lerwick, £17 non-members, £16 YHA members pp per night.
6. Get your boots on in Scotland
The UK's highest peak, Ben Nevis, is a challenge pencilled into most British walkers' "to do one day when I get around to it" list. Well now you have the perfect motivation to pull on your walking boots – Explore have launched a new three-day tour up this impressive 1,344m gale-lashed mountain. And if the challenging climb and rewarding views from the top don't satisfy your thirst for adventure, sea kayaking in a nearby loch, canyoning and climbing the world's biggest indoor ice wall are also included on the tour. They're a hardy lot in Scotland.
• Prices from £275pp for small group tour (approx. 16) led by an expert guide (not including flights). Departs 22 May, 19 June, 10 July & 11 September. Includes, two nights' hotel accommodation, two breakfasts and one lunch. Explore.co.uk (0845 013 1539)
7. Surf and soak in Cornwall
Some of us prefer our outdoor pursuits to be tempered with an equal measure of pampering. If that's you then hop on the Biodiesel Big Friday Surf Bus for one of their monthly summer Surf Sistas weekends. Spend the morning in a girls-only surf lesson with a BSA qualified instructor, pack in a yoga or surf fitness session before heading back to your spa hotel at Fistral beach to reward yourself with a soak and massage afterwards.
• £249 for all bookings made in February 2009 (usually £269). Price includes, two nights' B&B accommodation, two half-days of surf tuition (includes board and wetsuit rental), return travel from London on the Big Friday Biodiesel Surf Bus, taster yoga or beach surf fitness, complementary weekend membership of the hotel spa, special spa treatment and massage offers, welcome cocktail, beers or soft drinks on arrival. bigfriday.com (+44 (0)20 8960 2471)
8. Walk away from the crowds in Wales
Explore the Welsh coast on a path that's hardly been trodden before. The Ceredigion Coast Path opened last summer and is rich with flowers and wildlife, including the odd dolphin or porpoise. Picking up where the Pembrokeshire Coast Path leaves off in Cardigan, it runs for 60 miles to Ynys Las on the Dyfi estuary. Dragon Trails run weekly holidays from their country house near Aberporth, with full board (including packed lunches) and daily guided walks of five to 10 miles. Group sizes average eight to 10 guests, the atmosphere is "more like a house party than a hotel" - tea on the lawn, croquet and silly games an optional extra.
• Holidays run from April to June, seven nights (Sat to Sat) £450pp or six nights (Sat to Sun) £400pp. www.dragontrails.com; +44 (0)1600-750463.
9. Rock out in the Peak District
The Peak District is one of the best areas in the country to rock climb. This "Resin to Rock" weekend is for climbers who want to make the leap from indoor wall climbing to scaling real crags. Set up some 10 years ago by Daryl Godfrey, Acclimbatize is based in the 'White Peak' area of Derbyshire, close to Matlock. They are surrounded by gritstone outcrops 40-80ft height which are ideal for learning – as well as having some of the hardest climbing in the country just round the corner. Over two days' of climbing, with a professionally qualified guide, you'll learn the skills to safe, independent climbing, from rope work to learning to lead. So you can come back next time and do it all on your own.
• Prices are tailored to individual requirements and group size. From approximately £130 per person or £150 for two people. Acclimbatize can supply equipment if needed. acclimbatize.co.uk (+44 (0)1629 820268)
• The Bear Inn (+44 (0)1629 822 585) is an old coaching inn in nearby Alderwasley serving good food and real ale. Double rooms from £75 including breakfast. Or Cressbrook Hall has B&B rooms at £57pp including breakfast. Self-catering rates are £35-£65pp per night (weekly rates £295-£925) depending upon the property chosen. All prices include VAT.
10. Self-guided cycle tours, Newcastle
Fancy a cycling holiday but not sure where to start? Saddle Skedaddle have added a five-day coastal and castles route, running from Edinburgh to Newcastle upon Tyne, to their 2009 trips. Between these two buzzing cities, you'll cycle National Cycle Network Route One and the North Sea Cycle Route, passing numerous castles, dramatic coast, historic towns and fishing ports as you go, and covering 25-50 miles a day. They will organise full transfers, pick-up at the start and finish of the trip, B&B accommodation, 24-hour emergency back-up service and all the maps and information you need - all you have to provide is the pedal power. Saddle Skedaddle, will donate 5p to Sustrans for every mile that their customers cycle, to help develop the nation's cycling routes. They also offer customers the choice to make a donation to Sustrans when they book their holiday.
• Price per person is £475, skedaddle.co.uk, +44 (0)191 2651 110
