Not everybody wants to spend their holiday just sitting around the pool or snuggling up in front of a log fire. For some of us, our time off is spent seeking out the most pulse-pounding, exciting activities around. If you’re an 'adrenaline junkie', you needn’t go far to get your fix – here are our best holidays in the UK for extreme sports fans.

Coasteering in Newquay

If you’re seeking an adventure by the sea, you should give coasteering a go. Coasteering (like mountaineering… but by the coast) is an exciting physical pursuit which will see you scrambling across rocky shores and cliffs and swimming in wild sea as you make your way along rough oceanfront terrain.

Cornwall’s gorgeous seaside setting is the perfect place to give this amazing activity a go, with Bare Foot Coasteer in Newquay offering a choice of three different routes: the Gazzle, the cave system at Pentire Head, and the Blowhole at Porth Island. It’s an unforgettable experience however daring you are, and no prior experience (other than the ability to swim 50 metres) is required.

Looking for a place to stay near Newquay? Newquay Holiday Resort is in a peaceful countryside valley just a couple of miles from the bustling seaside town and conveniently close to the Cornish coast, offering comfortable caravans and stylish glamping pods that make a great home base to return to at the end of the day.

The facilities at Newquay Holiday Resort are ideal for relaxing after your coasteering adventure – soothe those sore muscles in the sauna and steam room, cool off with a dip in the indoor or outdoor pool, or pamper yourself in the hair and beauty salon. Or, if you can’t wait to get back out on the water, try your hand at another sport with the on-site surf school that will see you taken to nearby Watergate Bay for lessons. The resort also has a restaurant, café, and shop, as well as a busy schedule of live entertainment and events during peak season.

Paragliding on the Isle of Wight

If taking to the skies is your idea of fun, paragliding could provide the perfect opportunity, letting you soar far above the ground on a lightweight parachute-style glider. Fancy giving it a try, or already a fan? High Adventure Paragliding, situated close to Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight, offers taster sessions and courses for all levels of experience.

The Isle of Wight makes a particularly suitable spot for paragliding thanks to sea breezes which make it easy to get up in the air, and on average the location offers more ‘flyable’ days, with more consistent and predictable weather, than other places in the UK. That’s not to mention the great views of the island and the thrill of flying above land and sea in this special setting.

If you’re not confident in your own flying ability but still want to admire the view, you can book a tandem experience where an instructor will do the flying for you – but if you want to get the hang of it yourself, courses are available for you to really learn how to handle a paraglider, lasting anything from a day up until almost two weeks.

However long you plan to spend getting to grips with gliding, you’ll want somewhere to stay, and Isle of Wight Holiday Park boasts a convenient central location that's ideal for exploring anywhere on the Isle of Wight. Choose from cosy caravans, charming cottages, and luxurious lakehouses for your stay.

Adventure caving at Wookey Hole

From far above the ground to far below it, adventure caving delivers a truly thrilling experience. You’ve probably heard of Wookey Hole, but there’s more to it beyond just the show caves, and Wild Wookey Adventure Caving lets you go ‘behind the scenes’ and explore the parts of this extensive cave systems that are a little harder to reach.

You’ll undertake an incredible, challenging three-hour experience, guided by qualified instructors, where you’ll abseil, climb, and cross underground rivers as you make your way through caves and passages that the less adventurous never get to see.

Your journey will even include a subterranean boat ride, a ziplining exit, and a few surprises along the way, and all the while you’ll learn about the history of the caves and details of the unique geological and archaeological features you’ll see during your expedition. For an authentic caving experience in an iconic location, Wild Wookey Adventure Caving offers an unbeatable experience.

Once you’re above ground and seeing the sunlight again, you may want somewhere scenic to relax, so why not book a stunning eco-lodge at Luxury Lodges with Hot Tubs in Somerset, less than a 15-minute drive from Wookey Hole? Sit out and enjoy the gorgeous Somerset countryside on the wrap-around decking, bubble your cares away in a private hot tub, and enjoy a break in a beautifully decorated high-end property with all the modern conveniences you could want.

There are also some great countryside walks nearby, an orchard that’s perfect for picnics, and even an on-site Cider Barn where you can enjoy a pint or two of Somerset’s best.

Extreme sports and adventure holidays around the UK

These are just a few of our favourite adrenaline-fuelled breaks in the UK to get your heart pumping next time you take a holiday, but there’s a whole lot more out there to be discovered. You could visit Loch Tay Holiday Homes and enjoy watersports out on the waters of Loch Tay, or take a trip to Retallack Resort & Spa and get active on the Total Wipeout-style inflatable assault course and the thrilling FlowRider, which combines snowboarding and skateboarding into one exciting activity.

Whatever you’re looking for, take a look through our huge range of holiday properties where you’ll find something for everyone.