So you’ve made your New Year resolution to be more active and you’ve surprised your nearest and dearest and yourself because you are enjoying training for that 5km run. Don’t let the idea of a lazy family beach holiday scupper your good intentions. Instead check out the activity breaks here in Yorkshire – there is no better place to enjoy the outdoors and keep that important promise to stay active. Here are a few ideas worth exploring:
1 Jelley Legs running holidays
near Ripon, North Yorkshire are aimed at those who can run for about 90 minutes (about 10 miles). ‘I do sometimes get very new runners but really people get more for their money if they can enjoy a longer run in the Dales,’ says Dave Jelley. ‘I am happy to have individuals and will create a bespoke programme for them. I am also happy to organise guiding for larger groups. I work in conjunction with Richard Gale at Swaledale Outdoors, Reeth when there are larger groups. We welcome walkers and provide maps and routes although we don’t offer guided walking. We also have a lot of cyclists staying for one night while cycling the Way of the Roses route.’
01765 603506 jelleylegs.co.uk2 The Traddock Adventure Activities
The Yorkshire Dales-based hotel has teamed up with Yorkshire Dales Guides to offer a range of activities including caving, climbing, fishing, shooting, pony trekking, canoeing, improvised rafting and mountain biking which can be tailored to individual needs.
01524 251224 thetraddock.co.uk3 Yorkshire Mountain Biking
This is a small North York Moors-based company that offers guided rides, instruction and bike holidays for all abilities, families, groups or singles. It’s run by Craig McGarvey and Andrew Wright who live, work and cycle on the North York Moors. ‘Our mission is simple – we want to introduce you to the fun of mountain biking and the delights of the North York Moors,’ say the owners. The company also offers mountain bike sales and servicing. Their mountain bike holidays include a three-day Moor to Sea route across the moors to Robin Hoods Bay with accommodation.
Craig McGarvey 07774 945295
Andrew Wright 07590 520368
yorkshiremountainbiking.co.uk4 Walk Yorkshire Holidays
Kevin Borwell is a former Royal Marine mountain leader, survival expert, Nordic skier instructor and qualified first aid instructor with a team of experienced guides so you are pretty much in safe hands here. He is based in Stillington, North Yorkshire where he began Walk Yorkshire as a way of sharing the beauty of the county. There are tailored walking holidays (from gentle strolls to more challenging routes) with hand-picked hotels and other options including self-guided walking as well as themed walking routes.
01347 811134 walkyorkshireholidays.co.uk5 Visit Penistone
The Pennine heart of South Yorkshire deserves exploring especially if you are a keen walker. But there is plenty more to do. Make the most of the expertise on offer on the visitor website to create your own activity holiday in an area that doesn’t get all the attention it deserves.
