Winning tip: Chain walk, Fife

Heavy chains have been set into the cliffs at Elie, on the Fife coast, and you scramble up small cliff faces and pull yourself up and over the rocks into a series of bays. Each bay is different, one filled with smooth, almost round, black stones, the next with shells (but of only one type). You need a fair amount of fitness and longish legs for the chain walk and you’re advised to go when the tide is out. It takes an hour and a half to complete, and then you return over the top, passing by second world war outlook posts and gun emplacements.
fifedirect.org.uk
alisonm10

Underwater nature trail, Dorset

For a nature trail with a difference, visit the Purbeck marine wildlife reserve in Kimmeridge Bay, along Dorset’s beautiful Jurassic Coast. Buy a waterproof snorkel guide from the Marine Centre on the beach and explore the wonderful underwater seabed habitats. The less adventurous can watch the live underwater camera from the visitor centre, go on guided rockpooling rambles or potter around the beach looking for fossils.
dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk
ID5251973

Stargazing, Northumberland

Nature is disappearing around us, and that even goes for the stars! With light pollution invading our night, 85% of the British population have never seen a truly dark sky. If Friday’s eclipse doesn’t inspire you to reach for the stars, maybe The Kielder water and forest park might. It’s Europe’s largest park specially preserved for stargazing.
kielderobservatory.org
Velosopher

Birdwatching, Leeds

You don’t have to take a holiday or travel very far to have a nature adventure. There are some wonderful things to experience on your doorstep in urban areas. In Leeds, you can learn about birds and how to identify them by their song. Choose from two-hour, half-day or full-day classes. Groups are kept to a maximum of eight people.
startbirding.co.uk
LindaJenkinson

Cycling, north Wales

To get away from city life, stay in a yurt at Graig Wen in north Wales, situated in Snowdonia national park. Borrow bikes from the site, cycle the length of the estuary and watch fish swimming, birds flying and beautiful reflections in the water. From there we cycled across Barmouth bridge and ate fish and chips on the sandy beach below. Getting back to our yurt we lay outside talking and stargazing as the sun set and darkness fell. The next day we climbed nearby Cadair Idris mountain. We found our own little piece of tranquillity in north Wales, and it felt pretty special.
graigwen.co.uk
ID3486292

Wildlife, Isle of Rum

For a true island wilderness, pack your camping gear and head to the Isle of Rum. It’s a national nature reserve off the west coast of Scotland where the deer outnumber the people and eagles soar overhead. Head to the beach to see bottlenose dolphins breach in the bay and otters lollop along the sand. Just remember to pack your midge hat if you’re in summer!
LGAnderson

Cycling, South Downs

For a mini cycling adventure in the English countryside, take the train to Amberley, a quaint village in the South Downs. There you will find a free campsite which is open all year on High Tittern Lane. It is a lovely spot, with a covered shelter and a fire pit, but no water or toilets. The following day ride to Arundel (about six miles): there you can visit the impressive castle, cathedral and tranquil wetlands. With plenty of campsites around Arundel you can camp another night before cycling nack to the station to head home.
Claire Mason

Boat trip, Lake District

We went on a breathtaking sail on one of the Ullswater Steamers, from Glenridding to Pooley Bridge. The scenery was incredible and there is a bar on board serving brandies for the adults and hot chocolate for the children, to ward off the rather bracing lake breeze. Once in picturesque Pooley Bridge there are several good pubs, cafes and shops to enjoy before the sail back to Glenridding. A most wonderful and affordable way to enjoy the natural beauty of one of England’s most beautiful lakes!
ullswater-steamers.co.uk
Sarah Victoria Beresford

Birdwatching, Shetland

The Shetland Isles, 200 miles north of Aberdeen, are a haven for sea birds, which come to breed in the spring each year. There are wonderful walks, extraordinary scenery and wildlife to enjoy. If you want a place of quiet reflection where you can sit and watch nature go by, this it: whales, seals, terns, gulls … The list is endless. Oh and if you’ve never seen a puffin, they’re here in their tens of thousands, easily seen from RSPB site at Sumburgh Head.
Alan Wood

Walking, Scottish Highlands

After an eight-mile walk past the falls of Kirkaig and along the lonely banks of Fionn Loch we got to the base of Suilven, our camping spot for the night. In thick cloud and damp rain, we ascended the steep slopes next morning and reached the bealach (pass). Twenty minutes later, after scrambling along the ridge, we reached the summit, a dream I had held for years. For a brief moment the clouds blew away, revealing the narrow ridge and the multitude of lochs and wilderness lands on Assynt. All too soon the sun disappeared and we made our way back down to the tents and the long walk out. As each step took us further away, the skies cleared, revealing Suilven, once again, in all its glory. A true adventure lives in the mind forever.
avocetboy