A cycle trip along the country’s coast and through its woods offers the kind of magical wildlife encounters that are no longer possible in the UK

Mostly traffic-free and flat, this route between Yatton and Cheddar takes in old stations and views across the Levels to the Bristol Channel – and it’s being extended to form part of the 76-mile Somerset Circle

Trains, buses, cycle routes and footpaths lead to magical scenery and magnificent wildlife in a landscape steeped in history

The Wolf Way – a magnificent, not too hilly, cycling route – takes in the county’s myths, market towns and Gainsborough landscapes

From Hydra to the Hebrides, our tipsters embrace life in the slow lane, getting off the beaten track on foot, by bike and even a donkey

We have become disconnected from the wild world around us and I wanted to get regular small doses of the delights of travelling without having to wait for the trip of a lifetime

With festivals, clubs and courses galore it’s a great time to try your hand at an open-air activity or sport – from rock climbing to canoeing or birdwatching

The Seine à Vélo cycle route follows minor roads to major attractions, including a medieval chateau, Monet’s garden and Rouen cathedral

Guided e-mountain bike rides in south-west Wales reveal a wild landscape of woods and rocky summits, plus a valley so secluded it still follows the Julian calendar