From intriguing coastal cities and picturesque countryside to lush interiors with mountainous highlands, Great Britain is overflowing with spectacular natural beauty waiting to be explored.
With a wildly diverse landscape, Great Britain has endless options for exploring. Whether it be flying over the West Scottish Isles, cycling through England’s countryside, or walking the coast of Wales, the variety of choices for creating itineraries is limitless. Travel advisors can easily develop customized journeys filled with outdoor adventures surrounded by stunning scenery that perfectly meet savvy traveler’s needs. Read on to learn about unique experiences that will create memories of a lifetime for your clients:
ENGLAND:
The English National Park Experience Collection offers over 70 authentic visitor experiences and a wide range of quality accommodation in England’s finest landscapes. Outstanding bookable products that celebrate the history, culture, countryside, and communities of the best of England’s outdoors are curated to tell the stories of England’s stunning National Parks and the people who look after them. Discover the details of England’s National Parks here.
The 630-mile South West Coast Path, the U.K.’s longest national trail, stretches the length of Devon’s two shores, bringing into view some of Britain’s most captivating surroundings. In addition to large beaches that beckon surfers, the north coast is home to Braunton Borrows, an UNESCO biosphere reserve containing an active sand dune system, saltmarshes and woodlands. Visitors can sail, kayak, cycle, fish and go rock climbing while appreciating the vast views and natural wonders. Teeming with coves and estuaries, the south coast forms a section of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, presenting a coastline walk through 185 million years of geological history. Cliffs on the south shore soar hundreds of feet, allowing visitors to see inland to Dartmoor and caves once frequented by smugglers.
Breathe in the majesty of England’s Coast Path, the longest managed coastal path in the world, numbering 2,800 miles all the way around the English coastline when it’s completed in 2020 (many sections are open now). Explore sandy beaches, major cities, friendly fishing villages and picture-postcard scenery on routes that ramble the length and breadth of England, from bustling Newcastle to Dartmoor National Park in Devon. The Coast Path is more than a path – it affords a profound connection to Britain’s national heritage and the opportunity to delve deeper into appreciating the destination’s fascinating landscape.
Cornwall, the south-west tip of England is known for its rugged and charming coastline. Almost one-third of Cornwall is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a protected landscape with the same status as a National Park. From peaceful estuaries and river valleys to rugged uplands and wild coastal scenery, Cornwall awes visitors at every turn, every time of the year. Highlights include the expansive, seven-mile Camel Estuary, sweeping Bodmin Moor, historic West Penwith, and the plateau of Lizard Peninsula. Check out our 48-hour itinerary here.
WALES:
2020 marks the Year of Outdoors in Wales, a celebration of Wales’ striking coastal landscape that encourages immersion in the area’s distinct culture. Discover an 870-mile coastal path, three National Parks, 600 castles, and Dark Sky Reserves (great for Astro-Tourism, a growing travel trend year after year). The epic Wales Way route features three separate paths that cross the country – discover national parks along the Cambrian Way, embark on tasty food tours on the North Wales Way, and see castles, galleries and dolphins on the Coastal Way. For some adrenaline-charged activity amid the majestic Snowdon range, head to Penrhyn Quarry for a ride on Velocity 2, the world’s fastest zipline, where clients can soar 1,640 feet across the blue quarry lake.
SCOTLAND:
What makes Scotland’s heart beat? The brand new Heart 200: 200 miles around the heart of Scotland. With 200 miles of magnificent Scottish highlights, including two National Parks, visitors can discover picturesque lochs, castles, distilleries and incredible wildlife on a journey through Perth, Stirling, the Trossachs and Highland Perthshire. Zipline between the trees at Aberfoyle, and try bungee-jumping in Killiecrankie. See ospreys, red squirrels and other animals at the Loch of the Lowes Nature Reserve. Walk along the River Braan to the Hermitage Waterfall. Explore Perth’s spacious parks, take a boat ride on Loch Katrine, and admire breathtaking views in Glendevon.
2020 is Scotland’s Year of Coasts & Waters with a range of events highlighting the country’s stunning shorelines, lochs, and coastal traditions, including the DolphinFest in Aberdeen (April 15-19) and Cyldebuilt Festival in Glasgow (September 4–6). For more details, click here.
Scotland is always a great choice for explorers with a myriad of travel styles. From independent travelers to groups, there is a wide variety of options catering to every desire, all year-round. Wilderness Scotland, Europe’s No. 1 Adventure Travel Company, offers an inspiring range of guided and customized adventure holidays, in the most remote and beautiful regions of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. In 2019, Wilderness Scotland introduced an assortment of exciting, fully-guided women-only departures to create a space for women who want to adventure in the wilderness of Scotland. For inspiration and itineraries, click here.
This is just a snapshot of the year-round trips inspired by Great Britain’s natural beauty that travel advisors can create for their clients, whether they are first-timers or repeat visitors to the destination. With the convenience of an efficient rail network, short flights and scenic drives, travelers can easily appreciate England, Scotland and Wales’ abundant stunning landscape close to the big cities and off the beaten path. With 2020 around the corner, now is the time to plan a vacation to Britain today!
Enroll in the BritAgent destination training program today and become a Great Britain specialist in no time! For additional travel advisor resources, go to VisitBritain’s Travel Trade site.