For those with a taste for adventure and the unusual, there’s a whole host of things to do in England. As a nation we may not, on the whole, be considered the adventure capital of the world, but look around a little and you will find some unusual ways to spend a morning, afternoon or whole day that definitely have an element of daredevilry about them.
Take a Llama for a walk
It’s the Sussex hills not the Andes, and the guide isn’t South American but there’s no experience quite like taking a large Llama for a walk, especially if the sun is shining and it is in the mood for a stroll. These pack animals have been used for centuries to transport loads over hilly terrain, and although they can spit, the guide reassures us they don’t often do this and it’s mainly directed at other Llama when they do. Learning all about these enigmatic animals is all part and parcel of the walk and so here is some knowledge to impart. They can be easily distinguished from the much smaller Alpaca, but also possess a number of differences within their facial features. Apart from being twice the size, Llamas have longer ears, longer faces and if Leroy was anything to go by, Llamas seem more laid back. Sticking right alongside for most of the morning’s walk, Leroy was a pleasure to spend time with. Not so good at conversation, but definitely a loyal and chilled-out Llama. That is, apart from his taste for oak leaves, which he could spot from some distance. The Llama Park in Sussex runs two such walks, one for adults and one for families. There is a massive 33 acres (13.4 hectares) of woodland (adjacent to the famous Ashdown Forest home of Winnie the Pooh) to explore, but don’t worry, the park is well catered for, having a fully licensed restaurant and coffee shop on site. The park is a family-run affair with an unusual assortment of other animals to meet once your Llama is back in its own home. There are a few other venues in and around the country that offer similar experiences so it’s worth doing your research wherever you end up staying in the country as you may be closer than you think to this South American camelid. There are around four in the north of England, two in Wales, and three in the South of England, so go on, get some fresh air, fitness and do it with a Llama by your side.
Indoor skydiving
Suspended in a massive tube full of air blasting past you at around 160-180 mph (257-290 kph) doesn’t sound like the usual place to do a skydive, but the feeling of flying begins as soon as you lean into the wind, your legs lift and you end up horizontal, assisted of course by an instructor. Vertical wind tunnels such as this have been used previously by the military and the scale of them are quite something. Although the experience of flying without actually getting in a plane is quite surreal, it is incredibly fun. After going through safety talks and getting equipped, you take that first tentative step into the tunnel and slowly but surely start to master the art of flying with complete control. It’s then on to other manoeuvres for those adept at mastering the skill of simply staying in one place. Stepping back out of the tunnel is like being squeezed out of a tube of toothpaste and as the pressure alters and you realise you have fixed your face with a smile permanently (it would seem), and your mouth begins to feel a little dry. With many different packages offered, there is something for everyone. Activities such as this are offered at three main centres in England, one in the south (Basingstoke), one in Milton Keynes and one in Manchester. So go on, dive in!
Cruise through the woods on a Segway
The Segway company was founded in 1999 by its inventor Dean Kamen and is an amazing piece of equipment that balances the rider with complex technology that is difficult to fully comprehend. Fortunately, to ride one you don’t need to know all of the complexities, but with a little tuition, they are great fun to ride. Slightly larger and with a very different design to the newer hoverboard, the Segway can be taken off road and into the forests. This takes it into another dimension where great skill is required to navigate around winding paths. Although it takes concentration, once you get the hang of it you can enjoy the scenery a little too. Some of the most beautiful forests in England are bases for this type of activity, and they include parts of the New Forest, Forest of Dean, Grizedale in Cumbria and Bracknell Forest in Berkshire. Just remember to read the small print beforehand and listen to the safety briefing fully before venturing into the woods.
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Mountain Boarding: a good way to enjoy the hills
“What is that?”, you may ask. Well, it’s a little like snowboarding, except you are on a green slope in the English countryside, with your feet attached to a slightly oversized skateboard with off-road style wheels. Although not quite as intuitive as snowboarding, it’s definitely something kids will pick up really easily. The friendly ‘Ride the Hill’ team manage every step of your experience, from your initial email to book a session, to the actual lesson itself. Safety equipment such as wrist guards, knee pads, elbow pads and a helmet are provided. I really needed some padded shorts as the grassy knolls were a little harsh on my bottom, especially in view of my poor ability to stay on the board. From the beginner slopes to the more complex and adrenalin-fueled technical jumps, the company, which is based in Nutfield near Redhill in Surrey, have been riding these slopes for the last 16 years. Booking is a must, and along with the one-hour lesson, you get the opportunity to practise afterwards. Come rain or shine, give it a try and master the rolling hills, and even if you, like myself, don’t pick it up that quickly, at least the views will keep you trying to get to the top.
Go Ape
As its name suggests, you can literally go ape-like among the trees in this wooded adventure high in the branches. Various locations are available throughout the country in some of the most beautiful woodlands, Go Ape is an experience that can be undertaken by anyone, with only a few restrictions on age, height and weight. After a safety briefing and a practice on some low logs, we adults embarked upon the adventure. Scaling the dizzying heights isn’t for the faint-hearted, but if done in a group, the camaraderie certainly helps with encouragement and motivation. Our adventure ended with a final leap of faith towards a netted wall and then a long zip slide back to earth.
Bring out the adventurer in you
So, if you’re looking for adventure this weekend, why not explore the limits of your comfort zone and try something a little bit different. These types of activities give you a sense of achievement and provide an impressive answer to your workmates’ question “So what did you do at the weekend?”
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