Parkdean Resorts

TheAdventure Report

Parkdean Camping

The best spots in the UK foradventurous activities and camping

2021 proved one of the strongest years for the UK staycation market,and Brits have continued to book UK based trips at record levels for summer 2022. But where inthe UK offers the most exciting holidays for thrill seekers?

Here at Parkdean Resorts, we love having amazing activities for everyone,but we wanted to find out the country's adventure hotspots! We're finding out which countieshave the best hiking trails, adventurous activities, waterfalls, rivers, backpackingopportunities and related hashtags to compile our adventure report, giving inspiration to theadventure hunters looking for their 2022 adrenaline-filled trip away! And, for the year-roundadventure hunters, look no further than our report for your next thrill seeking getaway!

 
0100
North Yorkshire
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 38
  • Hiking trails 475
  • Waterfalls 54
  • Rivers & lakes 323
  • Backpacking opportunities 47
  • Instagram hashtags 943,402
Overall adventure score 100
Devon
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 154
  • Hiking trails 61
  • Waterfalls 12
  • Rivers & lakes 124
  • Backpacking opportunities 33
  • Instagram hashtags 4,184,231
Overall adventure score 99
Cornwall
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 214
  • Hiking trails 35
  • Waterfalls 4
  • Rivers & lakes 76
  • Backpacking opportunities 32
  • Instagram hashtags 7,630,536
Overall adventure score 97
Hampshire
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 73
  • Hiking trails 40
  • Waterfalls 2
  • Rivers & lakes 278
  • Backpacking opportunities 35
  • Instagram hashtags 1,540,406
Overall adventure score 96
Cumbria
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 120
  • Hiking trails 4
  • Waterfalls 115
  • Rivers & lakes 743
  • Backpacking opportunities 101
  • Instagram hashtags 1,598,143
Overall adventure score 95
West Yorkshire
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 25
  • Hiking trails 267
  • Waterfalls 15
  • Rivers & lakes 259
  • Backpacking opportunities 6
  • Instagram hashtags 683,761
Overall adventure score 94
Derbyshire
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 40
  • Hiking trails 7
  • Waterfalls 41
  • Rivers & lakes 398
  • Backpacking opportunities 26
  • Instagram hashtags 1,537,449
Overall adventure score 92
Surrey
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 31
  • Hiking trails 12
  • Waterfalls 7
  • Rivers & lakes 332
  • Backpacking opportunities 22
  • Instagram hashtags 3,734,773
Overall adventure score 90
Lancashire
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 31
  • Hiking trails 42
  • Waterfalls 21
  • Rivers & lakes 252
  • Backpacking opportunities 3
  • Instagram hashtags 1,219,980
Overall adventure score 90
Somerset
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 45
  • Hiking trails 34
  • Waterfalls 4
  • Rivers & lakes 103
  • Backpacking opportunities 7
  • Instagram hashtags 1,865,561
Overall adventure score 88
Gwynedd
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 28
  • Hiking trails 164
  • Waterfalls 18
  • Rivers & lakes 154
  • Backpacking opportunities 18
  • Instagram hashtags 92,943
Overall adventure score 87
Argyll and Bute
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 26
  • Hiking trails 120
  • Waterfalls 18
  • Rivers & lakes 101
  • Backpacking opportunities 31
  • Instagram hashtags 170,608
Overall adventure score 86
Kent
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 58
  • Hiking trails 19
  • Waterfalls 3
  • Rivers & lakes 141
  • Backpacking opportunities 6
  • Instagram hashtags 4,015,756
Overall adventure score 85
London
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 152
  • Hiking trails 31
  • Waterfalls 2
  • Rivers & lakes 244
  • Backpacking opportunities 1
  • Instagram hashtags 149,233,937
Overall adventure score 82
West Sussex
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 32
  • Hiking trails 32
  • Waterfalls 2
  • Rivers & lakes 219
  • Backpacking opportunities 13
  • Instagram hashtags 795,031
Overall adventure score 82
Shropshire
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 32
  • Hiking trails 42
  • Waterfalls 4
  • Rivers & lakes 74
  • Backpacking opportunities 8
  • Instagram hashtags 916,422
Overall adventure score 81
Norfolk
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 52
  • Hiking trails 32
  • Waterfalls 1
  • Rivers & lakes 76
  • Backpacking opportunities 17
  • Instagram hashtags 3,525,350
Overall adventure score 79
East Sussex
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 55
  • Hiking trails 16
  • Waterfalls 3
  • Rivers & lakes 143
  • Backpacking opportunities 18
  • Instagram hashtags 717,576
Overall adventure score 78
Aberdeenshire
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 17
  • Hiking trails 99
  • Waterfalls 9
  • Rivers & lakes 91
  • Backpacking opportunities 13
  • Instagram hashtags 454,392
Overall adventure score 77
Powys
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 12
  • Hiking trails 139
  • Waterfalls 21
  • Rivers & lakes 142
  • Backpacking opportunities 25
  • Instagram hashtags 81,824
Overall adventure score 76
City of Edinburgh
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 33
  • Hiking trails 80
  • Waterfalls 1
  • Rivers & lakes 75
  • Backpacking opportunities 3
  • Instagram hashtags 9,480,293
Overall adventure score 74
Cheshire
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 26
  • Hiking trails 23
  • Waterfalls 7
  • Rivers & lakes 156
  • Backpacking opportunities 2
  • Instagram hashtags 2,571,351
Overall adventure score 73
Gloucestershire
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 16
  • Hiking trails 22
  • Waterfalls 3
  • Rivers & lakes 133
  • Backpacking opportunities 28
  • Instagram hashtags 762,705
Overall adventure score 71
Oxfordshire
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 37
  • Hiking trails 30
  • Waterfalls 1
  • Rivers & lakes 130
  • Backpacking opportunities 6
  • Instagram hashtags 960,852
Overall adventure score 71
Dorset
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 78
  • Hiking trails 29
  • Waterfalls 0
  • Rivers & lakes 44
  • Backpacking opportunities 20
  • Instagram hashtags 2,401,813
Overall adventure score 69
City of Glasgow
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 20
  • Hiking trails 53
  • Waterfalls 3
  • Rivers & lakes 55
  • Backpacking opportunities 1
  • Instagram hashtags 7,166,712
Overall adventure score 68
South Yorkshire
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 18
  • Hiking trails 138
  • Waterfalls 2
  • Rivers & lakes 127
  • Backpacking opportunities 3
  • Instagram hashtags 354,166
Overall adventure score 65
Greater Manchester
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 37
  • Hiking trails 5
  • Waterfalls 9
  • Rivers & lakes 277
  • Backpacking opportunities 5
  • Instagram hashtags 164,361
Overall adventure score 64
Staffordshire
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 31
  • Hiking trails 13
  • Waterfalls 6
  • Rivers & lakes 149
  • Backpacking opportunities 1
  • Instagram hashtags 1,564,211
Overall adventure score 63
Pembrokeshire
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 34
  • Hiking trails 62
  • Waterfalls 1
  • Rivers & lakes 17
  • Backpacking opportunities 18
  • Instagram hashtags 608,096
Overall adventure score 62
Essex
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 74
  • Hiking trails 8
  • Waterfalls 1
  • Rivers & lakes 97
  • Backpacking opportunities 2
  • Instagram hashtags 4,859,482
Overall adventure score 60
West Midlands
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 30
  • Hiking trails 12
  • Waterfalls 1
  • Rivers & lakes 132
  • Backpacking opportunities 10
  • Instagram hashtags 715,403
Overall adventure score 59
Fife
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 18
  • Hiking trails 51
  • Waterfalls 2
  • Rivers & lakes 25
  • Backpacking opportunities 5
  • Instagram hashtags 544,093
Overall adventure score 58
Monmouthshire
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 12
  • Hiking trails 74
  • Waterfalls 4
  • Rivers & lakes 53
  • Backpacking opportunities 9
  • Instagram hashtags 77,331
Overall adventure score 56
Lincolnshire
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 30
  • Hiking trails 42
  • Waterfalls 1
  • Rivers & lakes 66
  • Backpacking opportunities 2
  • Instagram hashtags 829,497
Overall adventure score 55
Warwickshire
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 22
  • Hiking trails 40
  • Waterfalls 0
  • Rivers & lakes 79
  • Backpacking opportunities 13
  • Instagram hashtags 531,502
Overall adventure score 54
Suffolk
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 26
  • Hiking trails 17
  • Waterfalls 1
  • Rivers & lakes 62
  • Backpacking opportunities 4
  • Instagram hashtags 2,032,464
Overall adventure score 53
Bristol
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 19
  • Hiking trails 5
  • Waterfalls 2
  • Rivers & lakes 41
  • Backpacking opportunities 3
  • Instagram hashtags 6,047,314
Overall adventure score 51
Berkshire
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 26
  • Hiking trails 9
  • Waterfalls 0
  • Rivers & lakes 165
  • Backpacking opportunities 4
  • Instagram hashtags 721,478
Overall adventure score 50
Carmarthenshire
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 11
  • Hiking trails 44
  • Waterfalls 2
  • Rivers & lakes 35
  • Backpacking opportunities 3
  • Instagram hashtags 100,180
Overall adventure score 47
Buckinghamshire
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 30
  • Hiking trails 15
  • Waterfalls 1
  • Rivers & lakes 73
  • Backpacking opportunities 2
  • Instagram hashtags 492,394
Overall adventure score 46
Northamptonshire
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 41
  • Hiking trails 11
  • Waterfalls 0
  • Rivers & lakes 74
  • Backpacking opportunities 5
  • Instagram hashtags 419,692
Overall adventure score 45
City of Aberdeen
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 7
  • Hiking trails 32
  • Waterfalls 1
  • Rivers & lakes 12
  • Backpacking opportunities 2
  • Instagram hashtags 1,596,255
Overall adventure score 44
Herefordshire
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 24
  • Hiking trails 14
  • Waterfalls 1
  • Rivers & lakes 24
  • Backpacking opportunities 3
  • Instagram hashtags 348,139
Overall adventure score 42
East Riding Yorkshire
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 11
  • Hiking trails 67
  • Waterfalls 0
  • Rivers & lakes 33
  • Backpacking opportunities 10
  • Instagram hashtags 106
Overall adventure score 41
Durham
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 3
  • Hiking trails 18
  • Waterfalls 0
  • Rivers & lakes 96
  • Backpacking opportunities 1
  • Instagram hashtags 2,554,049
Overall adventure score 38
Leicestershire
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 16
  • Hiking trails 35
  • Waterfalls 0
  • Rivers & lakes 58
  • Backpacking opportunities 0
  • Instagram hashtags 559,205
Overall adventure score 37
Cambridgeshire
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 24
  • Hiking trails 8
  • Waterfalls 1
  • Rivers & lakes 73
  • Backpacking opportunities 0
  • Instagram hashtags 509,162
Overall adventure score 35
Clackmannanshire
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 2
  • Hiking trails 27
  • Waterfalls 5
  • Rivers & lakes 25
  • Backpacking opportunities 1
  • Instagram hashtags 19,460
Overall adventure score 32
Plymouth
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 19
  • Hiking trails 12
  • Waterfalls 0
  • Rivers & lakes 6
  • Backpacking opportunities 2
  • Instagram hashtags 2,111,125
Overall adventure score 32
Denbighshire
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 14
  • Hiking trails 29
  • Waterfalls 1
  • Rivers & lakes 18
  • Backpacking opportunities 2
  • Instagram hashtags 39,957
Overall adventure score 31
Moray (Elginshire)
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 9
  • Hiking trails 24
  • Waterfalls 1
  • Rivers & lakes 16
  • Backpacking opportunities 2
  • Instagram hashtags 245,032
Overall adventure score 29
Midlothian
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 0
  • Hiking trails 24
  • Waterfalls 1
  • Rivers & lakes 25
  • Backpacking opportunities 3
  • Instagram hashtags 183,072
Overall adventure score 28
Isle of Wight
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 12
  • Hiking trails 10
  • Waterfalls 0
  • Rivers & lakes 14
  • Backpacking opportunities 3
  • Instagram hashtags 1,008,433
Overall adventure score 27
Nottinghamshire
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 26
  • Hiking trails 8
  • Waterfalls 0
  • Rivers & lakes 86
  • Backpacking opportunities 0
  • Instagram hashtags 435,064
Overall adventure score 26
Shetland Islands
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 3
  • Hiking trails 38
  • Waterfalls 0
  • Rivers & lakes 35
  • Backpacking opportunities 0
  • Instagram hashtags 648,717
Overall adventure score 24
Angus (Forfarshire)
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 3
  • Hiking trails 29
  • Waterfalls 1
  • Rivers & lakes 29
  • Backpacking opportunities 2
  • Instagram hashtags 278
Overall adventure score 23
Bedfordshire
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 16
  • Hiking trails 19
  • Waterfalls 0
  • Rivers & lakes 40
  • Backpacking opportunities 0
  • Instagram hashtags 464,075
Overall adventure score 22
Anglesey
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 16
  • Hiking trails 24
  • Waterfalls 0
  • Rivers & lakes 11
  • Backpacking opportunities 1
  • Instagram hashtags 432,900
Overall adventure score 21
East Lothian
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Adventurous activities 10
  • Hiking trails 28
  • Waterfalls 0
  • Rivers & lakes 18
  • Backpacking opportunities 1
  • Instagram hashtags 252,694
Overall adventure score 18

Yorkshire is the top adventuredestination

The best counties for adventureholidays

Parkdean Resorts in Yorkshire
Adventure Score100

1Yorkshire

When it comes to ultimate adventure destinations in the UK,North Yorkshire takes the top spot with a combination of 475 hiking trails and 323 idyllic riversand lakes. From national parks and rugged coastlines to incredible architecture andvibrant cities, Yorkshire has it all - including adventure. From high rope walks at CaytonBay to zorbing and hoverboards, it's clear why the county is known foradventure. With 943,402 Instagram hashtags related to adventure holidays, it's aclear winner for more out-there family holidays in the UK.

Parkdean Resorts in Devon
Adventure Score99

2Devon

Coming in second is Devon. With itssandy beaches and fossil filled cliffs, it’s the perfect landscape for an adventureholiday, gaining a whopping 4,184,231 Instagram hashtags related to adventureactivities in the area. With Brits wanting to get out and about to catch up on allthe activities missed in the past year, Devon is one of the best counties to do thisin. From archery at Ruda HolidayPark to mountain boarding nearby at The Big Sheep, there are 38 amazingadventurous activities to do in this county.

Parkdean Resorts in Cornwall
Adventure Score97

3Cornwall

In third place is Cornwall with anincredible 214 adventurous activities, making it the best county to take up a newadventure or hobby in. Although known as a world renowned surfing haven, whilstholidaying with Parkdean Resorts, beachgoers can try their hand at a thrill-filledafternoon sand boarding at the iconic Holywell Bay Sand Dunes. Or, for a more leisurely outing, families can enjoy thebeautiful sites of the county through any of its 35 picturesque hiking trails.

Parkdean Resorts in Hampshire
Adventure Score96

4Hampshire

Hampshire isthe fourth perfect place for an adventure holiday for friends and family alike. Hometo an incredible 40 hiking trails, Hampshire is one of the best spots to really getto grips with beautiful coastal trails, or try your hand at watersports in itsperfect blue seas.

Adventure Score95

5Cumbria

In fifth place for the county that has the ultimate adventureoffering is Cumbria, with a trip to the LakeDistrict giving Brits the break they need to try something adventurous andnew! Enjoy the sights of Lake Windermere, or hike the region's iconic peaks to findone of the county's 115 waterfalls. As well as 743 rivers and lakes, there are anincredible 120 adventurous activities to enjoy in Cumbria for the perfect UKholiday.

 
 

Mountain biking isthe leading adventure sport

UK's most popularadventure activities

It isn't just the counties looking for adventure. Using Googlesearch data, we have been able to find out the most popular activities in the UK that get yourheart pumping and adrenaline racing.

Activity
Adventure Hotspot
Mountain biking West Midlands
Kayaking Hampshire
Longboarding Hampshire
Bodyboarding Devon
Surfing Devon
Gliding West Midlands
Rafting West Midlands
Skydiving West Midlands
Climbing West Midlands
Snowboarding West Midlands
Windsurfing Hampshire
Rock climbing West Midlands
Paragliding West Midlands
Motorsport West Midlands
Hiking West Midlands
Archery West Midlands
Laser tag West Midlands
Scuba diving West Midlands
Wakeboarding Hampshire
Kitesurfing Hampshire

*Google searches - the total number of searches over the last 12 months

**Adventure hotspot - UK location with the highest search volumes

1MountainBiking

With 642,140 searches, Mountain biking comes in first placefor Britain's favourite adventure activity. A sport that can be practiced from everylevel, it just needs the power to pedal and guts to go.

UK hotspots formountain biking include Surrey, Yorkshire, Cumbria and Devon. Luckily, cycle hire isavailable at selected ParkdeanResorts, so you don’t need to worry about fitting the bikes and the familyin the car for your adventure holiday, as everything will be available on park.

2Kayaking

Kayaking is the adventure activity in second place, with thewater sport seeing 214,690 searches in the last 12 months alone. Located wherelakes, rivers and open waters are available, this is the kind of adventure activitynot everyone has access to. If you and the family want to give it a go, check outour SandfordHoliday Park, close to Poole and its incredible water sports activities, orhead to Poole Harbour SeaKayaking to head out on a coastal kayaking adventure.

3Longboarding

Coming in third is longboarding - the sister activity to thenew Olympic sport skateboarding. Seeing over 29,000 searches, longboarding isperfect for people looking for a curbside adventure and is a lifelong skill you cantake anywhere - just make sure you've got your helmet and pads!

 

4Bodyboarding

Perfect for children and parents, bodyboarding is an idealactivity for coastal getaways. With 24,950 searches, bodyboarding is universallyknown to be easier to learn than traditional surfing and is a great alternative forpeople looking to ease themselves into sea-based adventure activities. Coastlinesthat are home to great bodyboarding shores include Cornwall, Devon, North and SouthWales and North Yorkshire.

5Surfing

A step up from bodyboarding, surfing is normally wellattributed to the southwest peninsula. However, the water-based adventure came in asthe fifth most popular overall adventure activity, with 21,330 searches. Althoughsecond to bodyboarding, surfing can be found all over the UK, and for people lookingto learn, St Vedas School and Shop is onlya ten-minute drive from EyemouthHoliday Park in Berwickshire.

 
 

Durham is the trending hotspotfor adventure activities enthusiasts and searches

The UK's trending hotspots foradventure

From the counties equipped for adventure to the most popular activities,we've studied adventure across the UK - but which are the counties that are wanting to find outmore about adventurous activities? We looked at the increase in year-on-year Google searches ofmultiple adventurous activities to find out the counties that are looking to spice up theirhobbies and interests.

9 10 12 6 5 4 13 3 14 11 8 7 15 2 1

Methodology

The Adventure Report was compiled using Google search data for citiesand counties of the UK for key adventure sports as well as the number of the elements thatmake a location an adventure hotspot from number of hiking trails and waterfalls toadventure hashtags and backpacking opportunities.