Close Encounters

Forget the far-flung corners of the world; your next adventure expedition is just a stone’s throw from one of the UK’s major cities

- Annie Brookstone

1 Swim with seals off Lundy Island

DISTANCE: Four hours from Bristol

EASE OF ACCESS: 2/5 Lundy Island’s varied and unspoilt terrain, mild climate and abundance of wildlife make it a small bastion of wilderness in the UK. It’s located four hours from Bristol, with two hours of that a picturesque ferry ride. Step up the aquatic aspect of this adventure by getting face to snout with the island’s inquisitive resident population of around 200 Atlantic grey seals. You’ll depart Ilfracombe harbour for Lundy where you will spend the morning swimming with the seals in one of the many coves and bays around the island’s marine nature reserve. bristolchannelcharters.co.uk 

2 Climb the UK’s only Via Ferrata in the Lake District

DISTANCE: 1.5 hours from Manchester

EASE OF ACCESS: 4/5 Honister Slate Mine’s Via Ferrata, meaning ‘iron way’, invites intrepid adventurers to scale a series of footholds and cables built into the mountain. There are two routes, the Classic and the Xtreme, with the latter o” ering a more heart-pounding thrill for the relatively fit at around 3.5 hours while the former is suitable for most ages and abilities and rarely takes longer than three hours. honister.com/via-ferrata