THE BEST UK STAYCATIONS FOR FITNESS FREAKS

Sitting still not your thing? Then a UK break is the place for you this summer. Although hardly known for its tropical climates and pure-white beaches, the UK offers plenty of opportunities for exploring and getting active. From wellness and yoga to adrenaline-inducing adventures, we've rounded up some of the best fitness staycations right here in the UK.

“Proper adventure holidays in wild places” is the strapline – sign us up. These guys offer just about everything a true adventurer could want, from a holiday, from bikepacking in the Peaks and canoeing in Snowdonia to a marooned remote island experience and “adventure tapas” for those who love a bit of everything. With everything from weekend excursions to longer breaks away, their trips are designed to allow you to easily escape at a moment's notice. 

And, if heading further afield is more your thing, you can delve into Much Better Adventures global trips and experience some of the wildest and stunning corners of the world. Better clear your calendar now – you’ll want to do them all.

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Specialising in yoga retreats in North Wales and the Lake District, The Zest Life has a retreat to suit everyone, with various activities alongside a healthy dose of spiritual wellness. Choose from yoga and wild swimming, yoga and hiking Snowdon, yoga and relaxation - you get the idea. 

While you’re there, enjoy nutritious vegetarian meals (hello, cooking inspo) and soak up the atmosphere of the beautiful locations - Plas Cadnant is a stylish country house on the Isle of Anglesey, whilst Silverholme is a Georgian Manor house on the shores of Lake Windermere. You’ll soon forget the real world even exists. 

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Luckily for us, Workout Away have expanded their European offering to include fitness holidays along the South Coast in the UK. Their short breaks are designed to get you feeling pumped and are not for the faint-hearted. From HIIT workouts to boot camp sessions and dance routines, your days will be spent maxing it out in their studios. But once you’re done, there are yoga sessions, coastal walks, and sea swims on offer giving you the perfect chance to cool off and relax.  

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The second-biggest of the Isles of Scilly and the only that’s privately owned, Tresco is an absolute gem of sophistication and luxury. Wellness breaks on the island are the ultimate escape, and a spot is like gold dust.  They feature mindfulness walks around Tresco’s stunning north coast, yoga and meditation with some of the UK’s best instructors, as well as membership to the Tresco Island Spa for the duration of your trip. They also host swim retreats to help you discover the empowering mental and physical benefits of cold-water swimming in the blissful surroundings of the Isles of Scilly with experts like Olympian Keri-Anne Payne of Triscape.

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Tucked in the rolling West Dorset countryside and founded by an ex-military mental health nurse with a passion for fitness, Dorset Fitness Retreat is the place to come if you need to kickstart your fitness routine. Alongside boxing classes, swimming and yoga sessions, they have personal trainers on-site to tailor the fitness to your needs. Homemade, local, organic food is whipped up by their in-house chef to ensure you’re nutritional needs are met for the whole retreat. If you’re looking for a little extra pampering, you can book a range of treatments during your downtime.

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The surf and wellness retreat from Northern Bootcamp is great for people looking for a fitness break with a difference. You’ll get an all-body workout whilst having heaps of fun! And, when you’re not making waves in the water, their relaxing yoga sessions give you the chance to reconnect and relax. With a range of sleeping options, whether you’re attending with friends or going solo, there are loads of options to suit.   

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