Five ideas for an active retirement break this summer

10 June 2019

Stereotypes about all retired people on holiday just looking for somewhere quiet by the sea are out of date. For millions of people, retirement doesn’t mean it’s time to slow down altogether, so why should holidays be any different? With summer just around the corner, we have five picks for holidays if you fancy something active.

Walking in Scotland

Head out into the hills on your own, or sign up for a guided walking and hiking tour with someone like Hidden Hebrides. They run holidays and day walks on the islands of Skye, Orkney, Shetland and Lewis & Harris, with a tour guide to make sure you get the best from the experience. Tours can be tailored to match your preferred distance and level of difficulty, with all your accommodation and meals arranged in advance.

England’s wine country

If you like the sound of a Californian vineyard tour, but without the 12-hour flight, pay Kent a visit. The county is said to have the same growing conditions as the Champagne region of France. There are more than 50 vineyards in the area and the likes of Biddenden and Chapel Down offer organised tours. You can read about these and five other visitor-friendly vineyards at the Kent Life website.

Walking and wildlife in Norfolk

Norfolk is one of the driest and sunniest counties in the UK and its miles of beaches are a delight. Brancaster, Sheringham and Holkham (to name just three) are often free of crowds, letting you walk for miles in peace. To blend walking with wildlife watching, a place like Blakeney Point is worth visiting. Here you’ll find England’s largest seal colony, as well as thousands of birds including golden plovers, spotted flycatchers and yellow wagtails. The National Trust in Norfolk has mapped out all kinds of walks - some of them guided - that get you close to the wildlife.

City breaks

City life is great for a short break. Have you tried Belfast, with its fantastic Titanic tour, growing culinary scene, Botanic Gardens and Cathedral Quarter? Closer to Retirement Line’s HQ is Cambridge, where you can walk for miles to discover its universities (guided tours are a great way to do this), or relax while someone else does the hard work punting along the river Cam. Another favourite of some of our team is Cardiff, which has excellent parks and museums, great shopping, ancient castles and theatre performances at the Millennium Centre.     

Glamping in the Lakes

If you fancy the outdoor life that camping gives you, but without the hassle of putting up a tent in the rain, how about hiring a cabin, pod, yurt, shepherd’s hut or gypsy caravan? Head for the Lake District and you could wake up to a water’s edge view of Windermere, Ullswater or Coniston. There’s a handy list of glamping sites on the Visit Cumbria website.

Luxury cottage stay in Yorkshire

If a getaway that blends comfort with countryside charm sounds appealing, a luxury cottage in Helmsley could be just the thing. This picturesque market town, set on the edge of the North York Moors, is a great base for exploring historic sites like Rievaulx Abbey, taking scenic walks, or simply enjoying a slower pace of life. Many cottages are dog-friendly, so there’s no need to leave your four-legged friend behind. And if you like the idea of sinking into a hot tub at the end of the day, glass in hand, there are plenty of options to choose from.