5 ideas for a mini adventure under £50

Ever caught yourself glazed over, after another mammoth day in the office, thinking about what is going to be your next adventure? You’ve got a date in your diary, but no plans. Just need some thinking time and inspiration to come up with that perfect getaway. Here are 5 ideas (based on personal experience) to help inspire that next mini adventure without breaking your bank balance.

1) An epic mountain bike down Snowdon
Yes, you can mountain bike down the Welsh highest peak. Approx. 3 ½ hours push up followed by a 30 minute speedy decent. There are plenty of routes. but to keep it simple, stick to the Lanberis (tourist) path. The terrain gets rough in parts but generally feels safe all the way down. Keep to the mountains’ voluntary cycle code and intermediate mountain bikers can be sure to enjoy a great day out on the hill. There’s no need to dig deep for this trip, unless you’re hiring bikes which will cost around £25 a day. Take a packed lunch and a drink so you can take a moment to enjoy the views and re-boost your energy after a tough push up Snowdon.

2) Sharp Edge scramble on Blencathra
Take on one of the Lake District’s most famous grade 1 scrambles. It’s nicknamed the Grib Goch of the Lake District with its iconic look and position above Scales Tarn. If you’re new to scrambling, leave this one for a good day as the ‘Bad Step’, a smooth slab before the small col can be treacherous when wet. This scramble can be finished with a push to the summit of Blencathra, followed by stunning views and a gentle walk down the Scales Tarn. Parking is easy in a layby off the A66 and guess what… it’s free. All you need is some snacks and a cold drink for the hike.

3) Surfs up on Woolacombe Bay
With 2 miles of white sand and shallow surf, Woolacombe Bay is a perfect spot for beginner paddlers. You can get there on a Friday night from Manchester in 6 hours and there are plenty of campsites nearby that generally don’t mind you turning up at the dead of night, pitching up and paying when sunrise breaks. Need to hire a board or fancy a lesson, that’s straight forward with Woolacombe Surf School. Prices start around £30 for a half-day session. There are also plenty of great places to grab some grub afterwards - the Red Barn being one of them. Alternatively, hustle everyone into a car for a short drive to Croyde. The Thatch is another great watering hole and personal favourite. 

4) Via Ferrata climb at Honister Slate Mine
Strap yourself to the mountain and experience the thrill of Via Ferrata. There are not many places to try this in the UK, but Honister lets you enjoy the challenge of climbing twice the height of the shard in a super safe environment. They offer two experiences, the Classic and the Xtreme. The Xtreme includes more edge exposure, vertical climbing and cliff ladders plus the Burma Bridge and cargo net. At the top you’ll also get to enjoy the dramatic landscape of Buttermere. It costs around £45 per adult to feel like a climbing god for 3-4 hours…

5) Indoor Skydiving at iFLY
Well of course I’d have to slip this in… To me there’s nothing more exciting than learning how to fly. When the weather is gloomy outside and the desire to get cold and wet is at an all-time low, Indoor Skydiving offers the perfect adventure, brought to you from inside some of the coolest locations in the UK. At £48.99 for an introductory experience (a bit less if you can come during the week outside of school holidays) you can get your wings and feel what it’s like to fly in complete safety and without that big jump that some can find daunting. This was on my bucket list, but never got scrubbed of. I enjoyed my first flight so much that I joined the company!