Articles in ‘Nature tourism in the UK’
February 24th, 2010
The 87 mile-long Ridgeway National Trail is remarkable in being the oldest road in Britain and because you can still walk it, following the same route used since prehistoric times by travellers and, herdsmen. The route connects the Dorset and Norfolk coasts, passing over rolling, open downland to the west of the River Thames, and through secluded valleys and woods in The Chilterns to the east. It is littered with historical sites dating back to the iron age. Lots of details from the National Trail website here.
Nature holidays in England, Nature tourism in the UK, Outdoor activities, Walking in Britain | Tags: best walk in Britain, best walks in UK, Coast-to-coast walks in Southern England, Oldest road in England, Original walks in Britain, The Chilterns|
February 13th, 2010
A trip to a children’s farm is a great idea in the lambing season. The Guardian has a list of recommended places in their half-term holiday special, including Cannon Hall Farm in Barnsley, where they are expecting no less than 300 lambs and 50 piglets to be born in February, with more expected for Easter. They have other attractions such a baby Alpaca called Snowy.
Farming, Nature tourism in the UK, Outdoor activities | Tags: days out in easter holiday, days out in half-term holidays, farm trips for children, farms in the lambing season, farms with lambs and piglets, ideas for days out with children, nature for children, visiting farms with children, Wildlife watching holidays in the UK|
February 2nd, 2010
“This area boasts 35 acres of unspoilt countryside, offering the opportunity to stay on board a unique houseboat. Each widebeam barge is permanently moored on her own private jetty and sleeps 4 to 6 in ensuite cabins. Watch the busy wildlife right outside the galley window. Land organic rainbow trout for dinner. Be awed by the silent swoop of the barn owl. And in the evening as you watch the sun setting from the aft deck know that it has given its solar energy to power your lighting for the night ahead.”
Country accommodation in England, Country accommodation in the UK, Nature holidays in England, Nature tourism in the UK | Tags: Devon adventure tourism, Devon river holidays, Houseboat holidays in Southwest England, Wildlife watching accommodation in devon|
January 15th, 2010
For the first time in many years, the freezing conditions have been perfect for ice skating, allowing the inhabitants of the Cambridgeshire Fens to revel in a centuries-old tradition. The Guardian
The Fens of East Anglia, with their meres and washes, networks of drainage ditches, slow-flowing rivers and easily flooded meadows, form an ideal skating terrain. Skates were introduced into Britain from Holland or France in the seventeenth century. It is not known when the first skating matches were held, but by the early nineteenth century they had become a feature of cold winters in the Fens. The golden age of fen skating was the second half of the nineteenth century, when thousands of people turned out to watch the top skaters. Wikipedia
Information about the 2010 cold snap, Nature holidays in England, Nature tourism in the UK, Outdoor activities | Tags: Cambridgeshire, Ice skaing in Cambridgeshire, Outdoor activities in Cambridgeshire, The cold snap in the Fens, The Fens, Things to do in the cold snap|
January 13th, 2010
David Munt from Potter’s Bar, Hertfordshire braved the Arctic weather and sub-zero temperatures to spend a night in an igloo in his garden. He decided to sleep in his creation after spending the previous day making the igloo from snow and ice, with help from the children on his street. More here
Information about the 2010 cold snap, Nature tourism in the UK, Outdoor activities | Tags: British igloos, Building an igloo in England, Cold snap in Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire|
January 8th, 2010
Yowie snowshoes were designed, fittingly, in Australia. They look like beach sandals attached to rubber flippers with a deep hexagonal tread and metal cleats. Extremely versatile and user-friendly, once you’re strapped in, with body weight nicely spread out to avoid sinking, you can enjoy snow walks on the flat or more challenging treks up and down mountains. The material reportedly offers better insulation from the cold than more conventional heavy-duty snowshoes. They are also lighter, cheaper and easier to stow in your ruck sack.
Another idea is to use ice grips - unobtrusive devices you can attach to your usual footwear to radically increase traction on slippery surfaces.
Information about the 2010 cold snap, Nature tourism in the UK, Outdoor activities, Walking in Britain | Tags: activities in the snow, best snowshoes, Facts about the 2010 cold snap, how to avoid slipping on ice, how to enjoy snow, light and cheap snowshoes, reduce risk of slipping on ice, snowshoes designed in Australia, trekking in the snow, versatile snowshoes, walking on snow and ice|
November 5th, 2009
Meirion Owen is an expert sheep dog handler, who’s been working with Border Collies since he was nine. He now travels around Britain, showing the skills of this intelligent breed at fairs, private parties and, increasingly, corporate days out. The other stars of the Quack Pack are a troop of Indian Runner ducks, who love to charge around at a fast pace in a tight group (with the occasional lone rebel). First of all, Owen gives a demonstration of how it’s done, instructing his dogs with only four commands to herd the ducks through an obstacle course. Then the spectators have a go.
“We never try to embarrass anyone,” he says. “I’ll always try to help. With duck herding, there is a sense of the unexpected and seeing a manager lose control of his ducks is great entertainment for the staff.”
A recent tendency among lowland livestock farmers is to replace Border Collies with quads, and Owen would like to turn this around by promoting the many qualities of this breed. More information
Farming, Nature tourism in the UK, Outdoor activities | Tags: border collie sheep dogs, coporate events with animals, how to work with sheep dogs, Indian Runner ducks, intelligence of border collies, qualities of border collie sheep dogs, unusual corporate days out|
November 3rd, 2009
The Woodcraft School runs various courses for acquiring skills that pre-historical man needed for survival. Bark, Bone and Antler is a particularly interesting 2-day course that explores the materials available to our primitive ancestors. Those attending will be taught about the sustainable harvest of bark, weaving crafts to make knife sheaths, folding crafts to make baskets and containers, and the preparation of bone and antler.
This particular course will be held in May 2010 in West Sussex, with groups limited to 12, but there are many others to choose from.
Nature holidays in England, Nature tourism in the UK, Outdoor activities | Tags: basket-making course, bushcraft weekend, how to live like a stone age man, learning stone age skills, prehistoric man weekend, primitive survival skills, primitive technology course, weaving crafts, woodcraft course|
October 30th, 2009
Paragliders will use birds of prey to guide them to the best thermals. They often report that the birds are not afraid of them and will even approach out of curiosity. Parahawking takes this one step further. You’re taken on a tandem paraglider and specially trained birds of prey will accompany you on your flight, rewarded by offerings of food. This unforgettable experience is available in Wales, organised by the Axis paragliding school
Birds of Britain, Birds of prey of Britain, Nature holidays in Wales, Nature tourism in the UK, Outdoor activities | Tags: adventure holidays in Wales, exciting day out in Wales, flying with birds of prey, flying with red kites, new adventure experience in Wales, observing red kites in the air, paragliding with birds of bird, unforgettable day out in Wales, watching birds of prey in Wales|
October 30th, 2009
With Pesky Husky Trekking you can become a musher for a day. Instead of a sledge, you stand on a specially designed non-motorised scooter. And instead of snow-covered arctic lands, the Siberian huskies whisk you through the Yorkshire countryside. The experience is only available between October and March, after which it becomes too warm for an energetic husky. You can start off on a practice lap or do a more advanced trek of up to two hours.
Nature holidays in England, Nature tourism in the UK, North-east England, Outdoor activities | Tags: adventure holidays in Yorkshire, exhilerating experience in Yorkshire, fun things to do in Yorkshire, husky trekking in Britain, Siberian huskies in Britain, Siberian husky trekking, unusual day out in Yorkshire, unusual sports in Britain, winter outdoor activities, Yorkshire moor adventure, Yorkshire outdoor activities|
October 28th, 2009
This looks like a rather nice place to stay in the Peak District. Set in a peaceful and secluded location close to Buxton and Bakewell, the farm occupies a stunning position in a lovely valley. From the outside it looks like a typical Peak District farm, sitting in 12 acres of pastureland at the foot of the National Trust-owned High Wheeldon. But the weathered limestone walls conceal the latest in green building technology, earning the holiday cottages a Peak District Environmental Quality Mark alongside its Green Tourism Business Scheme accreditation.
More hereNote: the house holds a Visit Britain ‘Walkers welcome’ award. A separate space is available for drying outdoor clothing and footwear, so clothes can dry overnight. We provide boot scrapes at main doors. Guest have access to facilities with water supply for cleaning boots and outdoor clothing. We lend guests maps and books on walking in the area.
Nature holidays in England, Nature tourism in the UK | Tags: High Wheeldon, Nice places to stay in the Peak District, Peak District accommodation, Peak District Environmental Quality Mark, Places to stay for walkers in the Peak District, Self catering accommodation for 2 in Peak District, Self catering in the Peak District, Self catering near Bakewell, Walkers welcome accommodation|
September 28th, 2009
Sealife Adventure, associated with Sea Trust (part of the Wales Wildlife Trust), run trips off the Pembrokeshire coast to the islands of Grassholm, and its impressive gannet colony, Skomer, with its puffins and guillemots, and Skokholm, famous for its population of Manx shearwater. There are large numbers of Grey seals in the area, and the chance of watching dolphins as they race the boat. More information
Nature holidays in Wales, Nature tourism in the UK, Uncategorized | Tags: boat trips to Pembrokeshire islands, dolphin watching boat trips, dolphin watching in Pembrokeshire, dolphin watching in Wales, seal watching in Wales, sealife adventure boat trips, trips to bird islands in Wales, wildlife watching in Wales|
September 20th, 2009
Get involved directly with whale and dolphin research by visiting some of the remotest islands in the Hebrides on this great conservation holiday: witness some of the most breath-taking scenery, gain sailing skills and contribute to the protection the marine environment - all in one trip!
Regular visitors include minke whales, common dolphins, Risso’s dolphins plus the occasional ‘rare species’ while our resident populations of bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoises are sure to delight. As part of the field team onboard our research vessel, Silurian, you will be helping us to produce the data sets that our science department will use in logistical analysis in the winter months.
All in all, a very exciting and worthwhile way of spending nine days.
More here
Nature tourism in Scotland, Nature tourism in the UK, Sea mammals of Britain | Tags: Best places to go whale watching in Scotland, Conservation holidays in Scotland, Scottish whales, Whale holidays in Scotland, Whale watching in Scotland, whales in Britain, working with whales in Scotland|
September 20th, 2009
The Isle of Mull is one of the best bases for watching whales and dolphins in Britain.
These people offer excellent short whale watching breaks:
This popular weekend break gives you two days on the boat exploring the islands (Eigg, Muck, Coll, Tiree, Staffa, all with their own character and charm). You will sail through the whale and dolphin grounds and land on islands with colonies of puffins, razorbills, gannets, shearwaters, and otters…The people who run these trips carry out marine research and they work closely with local charity the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust
One client wrote:
The most memorable part of the holiday was the surveys trip … seeing Minke whales and basking sharks on such a beautiful day - I will remember this for many years to come. We even moored on a tiny island close to Coll and Tiree - it was like being on a Pacific atoll … seals swimming, white sand, clear blue sea - just perfect. More
Read here
Nature tourism in Scotland, Nature tourism in the UK, Scotland | Tags: Best places to go whale watching in Scotland, Isle of Mull, Minke whales in Mull, Scottish whales, Whale watching in Scotland, whales in Britain|
September 13th, 2009
Grey seals in Wales give birth around September-October. A good place to see the conspicuous white pups is Cardigan Island Coastal Farm Park which has enough attractions to satisfy all members of a nature-loving family. As well as seals, there’s a good chance to spot Bottle-nosed Dolphins, resident in Cardigan Bay. Birdwatchers can observe Peregrine Falcons or Red-billed Choughs. For young visitors (or not so young) there are friendly farm animals, including Dilwyn the Donkey.
Nature holidays in Wales, Nature tourism in the UK, Sea mammals of Britain, Wales | Tags: autumn break activites, autumn holiday activities, Cardigan Island Coastal Farm park, dolphin watching in Wales, family day out in Wales, nature for children, seal pups in Wales, watching grey seal pups|
The RSPB is gathering extensive information about exactly where swifts are nesting in the UK. It is suspected that their rapid decline in recent years is linked with a drop in suitable nesting sites, as buildings are modernised.
The first year’s survey reveals that of the houses where swifts are nesting:
A new generation of commoners will receive financial support to ensure animals continue to graze in the New Forest and so conserve its rich biodiversity.
The Co-op is further expanding its 
There are now some excellent landscape blogs covering Britain. Here are a few:
With more and more people wanting to grow their own fruit and vegetables, the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners have over 100,000 people on their waiting lists. The National Trust have responded to this demand by allocating land for “super allotments” or community farms. In return for a monthly fee, members will decide what should be grown, and have the opportunity to work on the farms, receiving a share of the produce. 
