If you happen to be on a summer break and you’re thinking about going to the Peak District, there are probably some activities that you already have planned. Whether that’s true or not, there are a few things that you shouldn’t miss. If you’ve already made a list you might want to add these to it. If you haven’t made a list yet, these should appear at the top. What’s important to remember about the Peak District when you’re deciding what to do, though, is that there are so many different and diverse options available that what appeals to someone else might really not appeal to you. With that being the case you’ll have to pay attention to what others say to get some ideas but also form your own opinions about what kinds of activities you would most enjoy.

If you like to do quiet things you might want to spend the afternoon bird watching. It’s hard to beat the beauty and elegance of nature, and birds are some of the most graceful and often also some of the most colourful creatures available to you. They are plentiful in various types in the Peak District, and it’s easy to find a list of sites that you’ll want to check out. As you explore the District you might also find other bird watching sites that you’ll enjoy more and therefore you’ll want to spend your time at them. Other peaceful activities include fossil hunting, which is very popular, and balloon rides, which also attract a large number of visitors. You can fish and cycle, too, and if you prefer to do something indoors or want to make alternative plans in case of bad weather there are museums and other cultural and historic sites that you can visit, including many historic houses.

Kayaking, canoeing, and caving are activities that a lot of people like to do in the summer in the Peak District and there are a lot of beautiful areas to be seen while you’re engaged in these kinds of activities. No matter what you enjoy doing or how active you want to be, you’ll find that you’re generally surrounded by both natural and man-made beauty.

by Ben Binding

When you go to Wales there are all sorts of things to do. Some of them are more adult-oriented, however, and when you have a family with younger children you’ll want to stick to the things that you can all do together. There are many of them, even if it might not seem like it from what you remember about going to Wales when you were younger and single. Bodnant Gardens is one of the great places that you can take your entire family, and while you’re there you can stand at the base of the tallest Giant Redwood tree in the UK and gaze in awe as it stretches toward the heavens. From there you can also go to Llechwedd Slate Caverns and enjoy going underground through labyrinthine passages and past a subterranean lake that has unrivaled beauty. There is also the Welsh Mountain Zoo, which is great for both children and adults.

If you want something a little more along the ’sand and sun’ lines you can go to the Rhyl Sun Centre and stand in their indoor rain shower or experience waves in the indoor water world. It’s the most famous one in Europe. The GreenWood Forest Park is a great choice for children because they can ride the little Moon Karts through the trees and thoroughly enjoy themselves in a fun and eco-friendly environment.

You should also check out the Isle of Anglesey, because there are more than one hundred and twenty-five miles of coastline, cliffs, and sandy bays that you can explore. It’s a beautiful area where there are seaside resorts, castles, and family attractions. The magnificent beaches coupled with family friendly activities and unspoiled natural beauty make Wales a wonderful place for people of all ages to visit and enjoy. There are few others places that offer as much as it does, and it shouldn’t be missed when planning a holiday. There are other places that also have a lot of great activities, but most of them don’t have the mix of family and adult activities that Wales has, making it a unique and different place for the entire family to take a holiday.

by Ben Binding