The KitUp Summer Guide
What you will read in the next 5 minutes: Our 5 favourite places to surf, paddle, cycle and walk in the UK this summer. Start your next #KitUpAdventure
Surf – remember the suncream!
Summer surfing might not offer so many of the thrills of winter but that does not mean you can’t enjoy it. The water is finally warm(er), the sun is out and there is plenty of fun to be had on higher volume boards. It is also the perfect time to learn. If you want some bigger waves head straight to number 5.
1. Woolacombe, North Devon. Suitable for all experience levels and lovely town to explore after your surf. Woolacombe has been voted one of the best surfing beaches in the UK many times!
2. Newgale, Pembrokeshire. Suitable for all experience levels but can form a fast hollow wave at times – experienced surfers only. Great cafe/surf shop on the beach too.
3. Saltburn, Yorkshire. Picturesque seaside town. Beach is suitable for all with a point break at the south end. This gets very shallow at low tide so be careful of the rocks.
4. Pease Bay, Berwickshire. Being close to Edinburgh, this little beach-break can get busy when the conditions are good. Stunning beach that is suitable for all levels.
5. The Wave, Bristol (this might be cheating, but its so much fun). Without a doubt the best and most consistent surf in the UK this summer…It is not the same as being out in the ocean but if you crave a goos surf, this is the place for you. Pick your style, no battling for waves and suitable for all levels.
Paddle – Best spots for a summer adventure.
The summer is a great time to explore the British waterways by paddle. Whether you want to SUP across beautiful lakes or sheltered ocean bays or want day-long sea kayaking trips there is something here for all.
1. Ullswater, Lake District (SUP & kayak). One of the most famous spots in the Lake district and for good reason; it is often calm and beautiful. It’s an easy place for most people to paddle out from by either SUP or kayak.
2. Durdle Door, Dorset (SUP & kayak). Quite possibly the most iconic beach on the south coast with the enormous archway just meters from the beach. If you like Insta shots then this is the place to be! Top tip, get there early or parking will be very hard to come by.
3. Stackpole Quay, Pembrokeshire (SUP & kayak). Pembrokeshire is one of our favourite adventure spots across the UK for everything. This route from Stackpole to Barafundle Bay is a great spot to try and see the dolphins, porpoises and basking sharks that often play in the Bay.
4. River Cam, Cambridge (best for SUP). Most explore the architectural tour by punt, but we can do better! Take your SUP and explore at your own pace, stopping off for lunch at one of the many river-side restaurants along the way. Great for a day out with friends.
5. Oban, Argyll & Bute (sea kayak route). If you are looking for a real paddle adventure this summer then look no further. It feels remote, the weather is unpredictable and the landscapes are breathtaking. You will find no fresher fish and get to beaches that nobody else can. What more do yo need?!
Bike – Do you road, gravel or mountain?
In the UK we are spoilt for choice when it comes to cycling. From quiet roads through the Cotswolds to the downhill mountain-biking centres of the Black Mountains and Cairngorms there is something for all and never too far away. It is also much easier to find the motivation to get out in the summer, so let’s celebrate that!
1. Ballater. The heart of the Scottish Highlands, Ballater holds some of the finest MTB routes in the country like Heartbreak Ridge as well as great access to the winding roads within the Cairngorms National Park. Whatever your style, it won’t disappoint.
2. Cotswolds. Villages like Castle Combe that are nestled away in steep valleys give some amazing hill climbs and beautiful views. It is always easy to finish rides at traditional pubs, or in the centre of Bath if you want to explore the city at the heart of many period dramas!
3. Brecon Beacons & the Black Mountains. If you like the idea of epic scenery, buses taking you to the top of the mountains for you to then fly down them like a dog going after a stick then you need to get to the Black Mountains Cycling Centre ASAP. If that isn’t quite for you, there are also amazing gravel routes to explore and quiet country roads that will give you some serious elevation data for STAVA.
4. Isle of Wight. One of the best day-long cycling adventures in the UK. It all starts with a ferry ride from Portsmouth to Cowes (Red Funnel Ferries) which takes about 45 minutes. If you get this nice and early you will have time for a quick breakfast in Cowes before starting your 106 km circumnavigation of the wonderful island. Top-Tip: check the wind forecasts before deciding which way to go (clockwise or anti-clockwise).
5. Cheddar Gorge. There are some charming road cycling routes that all take you through the Gorge. If you have not been, we cannot recommend it enough, it feels like something from a film, especially in late spring when everything is flowering. Other than road cycling there are some great trails that give equally good views across Somerset.
Trail – make the most of the long days with a few long hikes.
We are all part of this KitUp Community because we love to explore and there is no better way of doing that, than on our own two feet. Walking through wild places connects us back with nature and there is now such a plethora of science telling us how essential this is for our own mental fitness. So far, picking 5 adventures for each activity has been tough, but this is on a whole new level. We could write books on the hikes that we recommend but will keep it short here!
1. The Quiraing. The Isle of Skye is filled with beautiful hiking route but the needles of Quiraing are a spectacular sight (photo above). Other famous walks on Skye take you to the Fairy Pools and to the Old Man of Storr.
2. The West Highland Way. This 150 Km hike takes you from Milngavie in Glasgow to Fort William. It takes you from countryside parks to loch-shores and open moorlands to jutting mountains. It usually takes 3-5 days to complete but there are plenty of places to stop along the way. A great challenge to set yourself.
3. Kinder Scout. This full-day circular hike winds its way around a vast upland plateau. En route, walkers will pass the dramatic waterfall of Kinder Downfall, and can complete the hike with an optional but entertaining scramble across Grindsbrook Clough. This is just one of the many great days to be had in the Peak District.
4. Yorkshire 3 peaks. If you want a BIG day then look no further! This route cover 24 miles and has more than 1500m of elevation. It covers the peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough and if you are attempting ‘The Challenge‘ then you will be aiming for less than 12 hours. Best of luck, better get going!
5. Snowdon summit. You may not know this but there are 6 separate routes for getting to the summit of Snowdon. They vary in difficulty but all tend to be between 7 – 9 miles (and take about 6hrs there and back). This is just one of the many walks in the area and if you really want to get a multi-activity trip in, why not pair it with a surf at Surf Snowdonia or a cycle across the hills?!
Stay Safe This Summer
2021 was a record year for many things, including the number of rescues by the Royal National Lifeboat Association – more than 40,000! At KitUp we want everyone to make the most of the summer but we also want to reduce risks. When you decide to go to the breach, make sure you have thought about some of these questions:
1. Does the beach have lifeguards? This is a great resource for understanding what rescue facilities are where as well as having access to the top tips around water safety.
2. What is the weather going to do? This is particularly important for planning paddles on rivers, especially in areas prone to flash floods. In 2021 we saw some awful accidents with stand up paddlers that had not realised there was going to be intense rainfall and it resulted in tragic loss of life. Plan ahead + know the risks = far safer fun.
3. Do you know about rip tides? The number one cause of RNLI call out at beaches is people being pulled out to sea in rip tides. Rip’s are areas where the water is trying to get back out to sea far faster than at other points. You will see surfers use them as they are so much faster to get out behind the breaking zone. For swimmers, if you get caught, remember: stay calm and DO NOT fight against the current. Swim out to the side, parallel with the beach until you are free of the current and then come back in.
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