Looking for amazing rural destinations and traditional experiences? Learn from Sally Broom, Founder, Your Safe Planet:

“The UK is not well known for being an ecotourism destination and yet we have some of the most beautiful rural areas in Europe. On the border of beautiful Wales is Shropshire where ‘Eco-cabin‘ is located costing just £90 a night for up to 4 people! From there you can head to Mid Wales which is an ecotourism haven. The Lake District offers the chance to stay in traditional tepees and yurts.

Tips on getting the most of your UK experiences…

1. Get out of London! So many travellers visit the UK and never get beyond the border of London, or perhaps they might visit Edinburgh but never explore further. Get out there! Discover the wonderful regional parts of the UK and their fascinating history and in doing so support local tourism. Go to Cornwall and find fabulous gardens, fresh sea air, intriguing local art galleries and sustainable fish restaurants.

2. Go by train! Find beautiful train journeys to take you through the British countryside and explore. There are even traditional steam trains. You can also use traditional gondolas to travel across lakes or you may consider a biking holiday where all the family can find fresh air, adrenalin rushes and a lot of feel good fun. The Yorkshire Dales offer wonderful cycling holidays for all levels and interests.

3. Stay locally! My favourite types of accommodation are little local pubs where the food is home cooked, the ale is real and the fire always provides a cosy corner!”

About Your Safe Planet:

YourSafePlanet (YSP) very simply connects travellers to trusted local contacts. We encourage travellers to ‘go local’ by seeking the advice and help of a local person to plan their trip and ensure as much of their time and money as possible is spent locally. There are trusted local ‘YSPeople’ in 45 countries worldwide helping people get under the surface of the destination and discover the real side of a destination and hidden local gems. A big development for YSP has been in connecting travellers with local projects if they show an interest in volunteering overseas. We are passionate about taking volunteers directly to the grass roots so that any money or time they donate goes straight to the cause in question.

Looking for unique experience of green and sunny Scotland? Ask Stevie Christie, Director, Wilderness Scotland:

“Aside from Loch Ness, the Isle of Skye and Ben Nevis, most of the Scottish Highlands and Islands can be considered off-the-beaten-track ecoDestinations. Take the Outer Hebrides islands for example. They have some of the best wildlife viewing in Europe, pristine white sandy beaches, turquoise seas, wild, mountainous landscapes and one of the driest and sunniest climates in the UK. But do you know many people who have visited Seilebost, Luskintyre or the Butt of Lewis? Probably not. But once you go there, you will be blown away and will want to go back! And these islands are just one example of many beautiful but almost untouched regions of the Scottish Highlands.

To ‘read between the lines’ and make your visits to the UK as green as possible, look for companies and accommodations that hold the Green Tourism Business Scheme, which offers Gold, Silver and Bronze ratings. Use the train to travel to Scotland rather than flying from London – it’s a beautiful journey and overnight sleeper trains are available. Book trips with Scottish companies if you are coming to Scotland, so that your money stays in the local communities that you visit.”

About Wilderness Scotland:

Wilderness Scotland is an award-winning adventure travel and ecotourism company, specialised in small group walking and adventure holidays in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Wilderness Scotland offers small group trips including walking holidays, sea-kayaking holidays and courses, canoeing holidays and other adventure holidays to suit all ambitions. Driven by a passion for adventure and a desire to share with others the magic of the Scotland’s last remaining wild places, Wilderness Scotland is committed to the principles of sustainable tourism.

>> Read more about the featured ecoDestination, the UK