Why do so many people struggle to get outside and see more of the world? We’re lucky to live in a country with so many fantastic walking routes and outdoor tourist destinations. From copious national parks to iconic natural sights – like the white cliffs of Dover – there are so many things to do and see, all while enjoying the fresh are.
Speaking from experience, a lot of people struggle to plan outdoor adventures because they don’t understand where to begin. Where should you go? How should you get there? And what should you do?
It’s easy to be overwhelmed, which is why you’re about to see a compilation of the best travel tour providers for outdoor adventures. They’ll do all the planning for you, meaning there are no more excuses and you can finally go on the trip you’ve always dreamed of.
Private Tours England – Overall Winner 🏆
At first glance, Private Tours England doesn’t look like a top tour provider for outdoor adventures. It’s very much a luxury travel company with a focus on driver-led tours in prestige vehicles. You feel like a VIP on any of their trips – yet they also provide a couple of really interesting options for the adventurous:
- Self-Drive Tours
- Day Trips
The former gives you a nice car or vehicle to tour the UK however you want. It’s the perfect road trip idea to see the countryside or walk around little English villages. Day trips are definitely more planned out for you; a private driver picks you up and takes you to a destination. The White Cliffs of Dover Tour is very popular with this provider because you’re driven there, given a tour of nearby castles and taken on a cliffside walk.
There are many more things to try, but the brilliant blend of outdoor travel and luxury tourism makes this a winner. You hardly ever get to explore the great outdoors while getting the premium VIP treatment – until now!
Macs Adventure – Best For Self-Guided Tours
Sometimes you want the structure of a tour without some of the extras. You’re not interested in travelling in a group or sticking to a strict schedule; you’re looking for some autonomy with the main planning done for you.
That’s where Macs Adventure stands out as a very unique tour provider. It offers self-guided walking tours across so many popular UK outdoor destinations. From the Lake or Peak District to the Yorkshire countryside, this tour company sets you up with walking routes and itinerary suggestions via an app.
The rest is up to you, meaning you can spend as much time doing whatever you like. For travellers who want a bit more freedom and flexibility, yet still need a nudge in the right direction, this is a really brilliant option.
Exodus – Best For Cycling Tours
Adventure holidays are made easier with Exodus. This is a tour company with a proper emphasis on the adventure part of travel. You’re not finding any luxury features here (which may make it unsuitable for a lot of you), but if you want to tour parts of the UK on a bike, then it’s easily your best bet.
Exodus specialises in cycling tours of Britain, allowing you to explore some of the country’s most iconic places. It’s very big on showing off the UK landscape – and you can choose either guided or self-guided tours. In that regard, there’s a good degree of flexibility, and it does still offer some normal walking tours as well.
If you’re an avid cycler, then it’s hard to ignore this tour provider. Of course, it’s a very niche option on this list, which won’t be everyone’s cup of tea!
The Adventure People – Best For Family Adventures
With a name like this, it’s no surprise to see The Adventure People on a list about travel tour providers for UK adventures! They give you small group tours in so many parts of the UK, though there’s one thing they’re particularly good at.
On their website, you can select tour types based on age groups. There are options for over 40s, retirees or families. It’s a fabulous feature because it lets you find the most suitable adventure tours for you. Everyone should explore the great outdoors – but nobody should put their health at risk.
You’ll really like this provider if you want to plan a family holiday because the family tour section gives you so many child-friendly options.
Wilderness England – Best For Countryside Tours
Nothing beats the British countryside, and now you get to enjoy the best of it with Wilderness England. Unlike most of the providers on this list, Wilderness England gives you the option to run private trips. You can pick small group adventures with just your family and friends, and get taken around the beautiful countryside by a tour guide.
At the same time you could pick self-guided holiday adventures or fully custom trips. It’s a really good service for getting to see some of England’s most beautiful places. That’s one of the only downsides to this tour provider: it only caters to English adventure holidays. If you’re hoping to see some of Scotland or Wales, you’ll need to choose someone else.
Much Better Adventures – Best For Extreme Adventures
There is one final provider to add to this list: Much Better Adventures. This is a global travel tour company that offers so many adventurous tourist ideas in countries across the planet. Honestly, we debated adding it because it doesn’t have that many adventure tours in the UK.
However, the fact that you can pick a few tours means it deserves a mention – especially as it caters to a unique part of the market. Those of you looking for more exciting and extreme adventures will love this tour provider. It’ll set you up with daring itineraries where you go kayaking, hiking or off-roading.
What should you look for when picking a top-rated travel tour provider for UK adventures? Start with your goals: what do you want from the travel experience? Some companies give you more luxury travel options with fully-guided tours, while others leave it up to you and are more hands-off. It depends on your preferences, though we think you’ll find at least one company to call on the list above.