The bucket and spade list: 10 new reasons to visit the British seaside this summer
From snorkel trails and seafood restaurants to maritime festivals and a ‘museum of fun’, here’s what’s new and exciting around the UK coast
The Broads on a budget: paddleboarding in Britain’s largest protected wetland
A long weekend paddleboarding the waterways of the Broads national park is bliss – and costs a fraction of the price of renting a boat
Skip the coast: three of Europe’s loveliest lakes to visit – by travel experts
Three writers pick their favourite lakeside getaways in France, Germany and Italy, with boat trips and great places to stay and eat
June 2024
Paddle under the Pennines: longest and deepest UK canal tunnel opens for canoe trips
The Canal & River Trust is launching 3.5-mile paddles through Standedge Tunnel, from West Yorkshire to Greater Manchester
May 2024
Seascape: the state of our oceans
The search for the perfect wetsuit: is there one that doesn’t harm the planet?
Neoprene is made from toxic chemicals, hard to recycle and, with 400,000 tonnes made a year, a growing problem. So can surfers and swimmers find green wetsuits?
April 2024
A new start after 60
A new start after 60: I had to make my life count before it was too late – so I rowed across the Atlantic
When Sian Davies was waiting for spinal surgery, she stayed sane by planning things to look forward to. Most notably, an extraordinary feat of endurance
March 2024
10 of the best European activity breaks with a spirit of adventure
Fancy seatrekking, swimrunning or bodypainting? These and more familiar outdoor pursuits are on offer at destinations from northern Norway to the Greek islands
September 2023
Brora, the best British beach you’ve never heard of
With great water sports, coastal walks, wildlife and an ice-cream parlour, this idyllic spot in Sutherland is the perfect hangout – and no one seems to know about it
April 2023
Arctic adventure: kayaking in Viking country
Paddling is the best way to enjoy the sawtooth peaks, white coral beaches, rosy red fishers’ cabins and extraordinary light in Norway’s Lofoten Islands
March 2023
Experience
Experience: I got sucked into a whirlpool
I kept spinning and held my breath, terrified my lungs would fill with water
October 2022
On the Blueway to Tipperary: nature and history on Ireland’s new kayaking routes
Adding to the country’s network of traffic-free greenways, three new trails encourage paddleboarders and kayakers to explore by river, canal and lake
August 2022
On the water special
20 best adventures on the water around the UK – from canyoning to white-water rafting
Trout fishing and kayaking, swimming and birdwatching – great ways to spend a day around the UK’s rivers, streams and lakes
July 2022
10 of the best UK activity holidays and summer camps for teenagers
Sailing expeditions, fishing camps, horse riding … Adventurous breaks that offer older children a holiday to remember
November 2021
Decathlon stops canoe sales in northern France to curb migrant crossings
Sport retailer is concerned about people risking their lives using its products to try to reach England
October 2021
Windermere wildlife faces another threat – Lake District tourism
Letter: The dumping of untreated sewage is harmful, but so too are people’s activities on the water, notes Karen Lloyd
September 2021
Former teacher to paddle into Torquay after epic voyage around Britain
10 of the UK’s best places for scuba diving and snorkelling
August 2021
10 great UK canoe and paddleboarding trips with a pub pitstop
A tranquil river or coastal paddle – with lunch at a waterside pub to refuel – makes a delightfully relaxing day trip
I swam with seals and puffins off the south-west coast of Wales
Our writer has ‘one of the finest wildlife watching experiences ever’ with the playful sea creatures around Pembrokeshire’s rocky islets
Pushing the boat out: 10 great new UK holidays on the water
From sailing tall ships and seafood trails to cool canal boating and camping in the Broads, we pick 10 watery breaks
