Summer Sports: Five Family Fun Adventures

Summer is the perfect time to get the kids (and parents) active, energised and out enjoying sports in the sun – it’s time to leave winter hermits at home! With this in mind and to get you started, we’ve collected together a selection of sports to try (or rekindle) this summer, with some suggestions of available locations across the UK.

Explore below and start planning the ultimate summer sport itinerary!

Adventure Sports

Adventure sports are gaining popularity, with many centres popping up across the UK. From rock climbing and surfing to indoor skydiving and ropes courses, there is no shortage of things to do. Some may be a little out your comfort zone, or adult only, but whatever your choice there’s guaranteed fun. Below are a few places to check out:

Surfing in Sunderland (near Newcastle)

Climbing & Caving in the Peak District

GoApe Rope Courses – our top locations: Crathes Castle (near Aberdeen), Sherwood Pines, Haldon Forest Park

Indoor skydiving - slightly less scary than standard skydiving and family friendly! (near London)

Surfing in Plymouth

Tennis

Tennis is a fantastic summer sport for the whole family to get stuck in with, whether you’re the team to beat or just want to volley some balls over a net! The LTA British Tennis association is encouraging people to join the fun and find their nearest court. They hold events, social sessions, and are even running a ‘Tennis For Free’ programme offering sessions for families and individuals at specific locations across the UK if you’re not keen on a membership.

Horse Riding - A family Hack

Horse riding is a fantastic sport that is often overlooked. While on the pricey side for lessons, you can book a hack (a long ride outside the school) for beginners and take on a challenging sport for the whole family to enjoy! The UK is bursting with locations to ride with places such as Hyde Park in London offering a leisurely ride, however, for those adventurous types who want to explore the wilderness, see below our top locations:

The Peak District (near Sheffield)

Sherwood Forest (near Nottingham)

Dartmoor National Park (near Exeter)

The New Forest (near Southampton)

Swimming

The UK is home to a range of outdoor pools and lidos for the whole family to enjoy a swimming session away from the hectic changing rooms and stuffy atmosphere. With the sun shining and your goggles at the ready, enjoy a fun filled day out – see below our top picks of pools and Lidos.

Hampstead Heath Lido & Ponds

Bristol Lido

Mount Wise Outdoor Pools - Plymouth (Free)

Ilkley Lido (near Bradford)

Wakeboarding

A fantastic sport for the water, wakeboarding is an exciting and exhilarating summer activity! Learn at your own pace, try some tricks and become a pro in no time. Wakeboarding can be done via boat or cable, and depending on the centre you choose, some parks offer additional sports such as kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, aqua/water parks, white water rafting and sailing! With a plethora of available locations across the UK, wakeboarding is easily accessible and the perfect outdoor activity for all the family to enjoy. Find a location near you.

Thinking of a family holiday? Take a look at our top tips for planning a trip with the kids, from choosing the destination to travel entertainment. If you’re planning to stay in the UK and Ireland, explore our city centre hotels for inspiration!