British holidays have it all

By James Stone

By now you will have guessed that I am an adventurer. I have itchy feet, I love nothing more that globetrotting, experiencing the best scenery and culture the world has to offer, satisfying my need for the surge of adrenalin in my veins in the process.

I was having a conversation with a few mates at the pub the other day about our adventures and was quite surprised to find out that despite venturing out to the most remote and far-flung destinations at the furthest extremities of civilisation, many of them had barely ventured outside of their home cities?

How could that be I wondered; why had they not even explored the treasures in their own countries?

We all know Britain is not famed for its weather or agreeable climate. In fact, to most of the world, the mere thought of the UK conjures up dreary images of rain, snow, sleet and near sub-zero temperatures. In fact, for many, the mere name 'Britain' itself is synonymous with 'bad weather'. Fair enough, that's a truism.

But there are the most wonderful scenic holiday destinations in little old blighty but for whatever reason people are completely oblivious to this fact. Part of the reason, I think, is down to a lack of promotion and marketing of tourism destinations within the UK.

People just aren't aware that great places to holiday in this country actually exist. This got me thinking about the great places across the UK that I have visited, which offer fantastic opportunities for adventure, extreme sports and sheer natural beauty.

I remember visiting Dorset a few years ago and what a fanatic place it was. The rugged cliff face that overlooked the coast with such force of presence was just brilliant for climbing. I remember abseiling down the cliff and looking down to the sea. The view was simply breathtaking, the height so dizzying that I could feel my heart thudding and the adrenalin practically coursing through my veins.

Then there was quad biking across the rough and uncompromising terrain, the wind fiercely whistling in my ears and the surroundings became nothing but a blur as I tore ahead of everyone else.

The scenic environment and dramatic vistas that the south coast offers is just exhilarating. The waves in the sea crash against the shore and you can almost feel the rhythm of the ebb and flow within you. Then there's Durdle Door which stand majestic in the seas as if it is a mysterious, solitary guardian of the waters. The various caves and grottos which are scattered across the coast offer infinite opportunities for discovery and adventure.

The same also goes for Land's End, Cornwall. I visited Penzance years ago with my family and it was an absolute breath of fresh air. Growing up in an urban concrete jungle, I regarded myself as a city boy through and through. I thought the hustle and bustle of city living was what life was meant for, but that changed when I smelt the salty sea breeze of the south coast.

It was amazing to wake up to the dramatic view of the sea and gaze past the horizon into infinity. We also visited St Ives which was equally memorable. The aroma of cornish pasties greeted you at every turn and the waves were just perfect for surfing.

I can't think of one destination in the UK where the possibility of adventure and fun does not lurk - Portsmouth, Brighton, Salisbury, Hastings. The list goes on. Trust me, it's well worth checking out the hidden gems in your own backyard.