Home to some of the UK’s most spectacular countryside including meandering rivers, endless empty beaches and rolling hills, the North of England and the South of Scotland are ideal places to get away from it all and connect with nature. From guided nature walks and seashore safaris to conservation treasure hunts – where your mini explorers will learn how to protect and care for the environment and our wildlife – there are plenty of super, mood-boosting ways to rewild your holidays.
Seashore safaris
One of the great joys of a seaside holiday is dabbling in a spot of rock pooling. Give your mini explorers the opportunity to learn more about sea creatures and marine life with a private, ranger-guided seashore safari. Armed with nets, buckets and a waterproof seashore guide you’ll take a closer look at crabs, sea slugs, starfish, shrimps, anemones and seaweed, gleaning interesting facts about them and their natural habitats as you go.
Prices from £85 for groups of 2-8 people. Additional attendees will be priced at £5pp and a minimum of one adult must be present. Dogs (on leads) welcome.
Breakfast safari
Experience the magic of a morning on the farm with a walking safari tour of a sublime Scottish Borders farm. Located in rolling pastures at the foot of the Cheviot Hills, you’ll enjoy a guided walk led by the resident farmer. Charming, friendly and a keen photographer, he’ll not only introduce you to the cattle and point out glimpses of local wildlife including roe deer, hare, birdlife and otters, but he’ll also show you the best places to capture them on camera. Following your safari, you’ll then be treated to a scrumptious breakfast of locally sourced bacon, eggs and homegrown berries, fruit and veg, which you can enjoy overlooking the farm if the weather is good!
Additional activities such as wild swimming, animal feeding or a tour of the gardens can be tacked on by request.
Prices from £435 for groups of up to 12 people. Tours are only available May – September. Please note that while the ground is generally flat it may not be suitable for all so a good level of mobility – and walking boots or wellies! – are required.
Sensory nature walk
Connect with nature in a tangible way with a sensory wildlife walk along rugged cliffs of St Abb’s Head nature reserve. Teeming with spectacular wildlife including over 50,000 sea birds such as guillemots, kittiwakes, shags, razorbills and puffins, as well as grey seals, there’s plenty to see and hear. Guided by an ex National Trust ranger, you’ll experience the 3km walk and its wildlife through the full spectrum of senses listening out for bird song and the sound of the waves, smelling the salt of the sea, fragrant plant life, touching shells, sand, seaweed and spotting butterflies, insects, birds and, if you’re lucky, a pod of dolphins. The session will end with a guided meditation.
Prices from £75 for a group of up to eight. Please note that the terrain is adventurous with hills and clifftops and can be uneven. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Conservation treasure hunt
Taking place on the sandy arc-shaped bay at Coldingham, this beachy treasure hunt focuses on all the natural gems that can be found on the beach. Led by an ex-St Abbs ranger, you and your brood will spend several hours scouring the beach for feathers, colourful pebbles, slimy seaweed and more. Paying particular attention to the natural colours and textures of marine life, your guide will also teach you about what shouldn’t be there – plastic and small bits of washed-up rubbish, which you’ll collect as you go on a mini beach clean, learning how it arrived there and how it impacts the local environment.
Prices from £75 for a group of up to eight. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Enquire and book now
Experiences are exclusively available to C&C guests. To make an enquiry or to book a holiday-enhancing experience please contact us by emailing experiences@crabtreeandcrabtree.com or give us a call on 01573 226711. Terms and conditions.