Life today is lived at 100 miles per hour. Whether it's pressures from work or keeping up with the latest trend on social media, there is always something trying to grab your attention. The result? Stress, tiredness and burnout. It's no wonder that so many are struggling to cope with everything modern life throws our way, and thanks to connected devices, we can never really get away from work or anything else.
Relaxing is just a dream for many, but it doesn’t have to be. Simply getting outside into nature can help, with just a few outdoor activities fitted into a busy schedule making a world of difference. A walk through a forest can be invigorating, the crispness of the air letting you destress and a real contrast to city life. Just being around nature, the warmth of the colours and scents, the quietness away from modern life, all instantly help to calm the mind. Better still, take a trip into nature and turn off the phones, and you have the ultimate outdoor activities to relieve stress, even just a picnic surrounded by nature can let you switch off even for just an hour or so.
If you want to enjoy that natural stress relief, you need outdoor activities for relaxing, so here are the best options when in Manchester, Birmingham or London.
A squirrel on the brown tree branch. （photo is for reference only）
When you just want to get away from city life, Cannon Hill Park has something for everyone. It's located right in the heart of Birmingham, but step into this natural haven and the hustle and noise of the city melt away. Walking through the park you will find areas of open grassland, ideal for a picnic if you wish, where you can just sit back, relax and enjoy the natural surroundings. A great example of outdoor activities Birmingham enjoys, Cannon Hill Park has something for everyone.
Squirrels and birds are to be seen throughout the park, but especially near the pond area and forestry walk. Another popular point in the park are the curated flower beds, full of rare and exotic flowers from all over the world, that deliver a riot of colour and scent during the warmer months. The paths are all flat, so this park is ideal for all ages, and if you want to do more than take a stroll in nature, it has something to offer for everyone and offers the perfect outdoor activities to relieve stress.
With a crazy golf course, a lovely tea room with toilet facilities, boating in the lake and a land train to get you around the entire park, whatever you are looking for, Cannon Hill Park has it. It has a well-maintained children’s play area and lots of rides to keep them entertained, making this park a perfect place to spend time outdoors for the entire family.
A heron on a brown wooden stick. （photo is for reference only）
A little outside Birmingham but well worth the journey, we find the RSPB Sandwell Valley Nature Park. As you may expect from a Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) site, Sandwell Valley is a fantastic destination to see wild birds going about their day, but it’s a wonderful spot for all kinds of wildlife too and a great example of outdoor activities Birmingham has to offer. There is a natural play area for children, the site is pushchair friendly, and features a visitor centre for food and drink, and a lovely outdoor picnic area to enjoy as well.
Unlike many parks, this one is not created, it's entirely natural, with a number of marked trails that take you around the area, where you will see plant life, birds, squirrels and other wildlife along the way. There are also guided walks and other events organized by the RSPB throughout the year to join in with, and there are educational activities for school trips or groups offered too.
Of course, as a wildlife-focused area, there are watching hides located around the park in the perfect place to see animals and birds, including herons during the summer, in their natural habitat. Ideal for watching, you can hire binoculars on site, but perfect for photography, they get you close to the wildlife without disturbing them, helping you feel at one with nature and providing a complete range of outdoor activities to relieve stress.
Have a sightseeing boat trip. （photo is for reference only）
Site-seeing in a busy city normally means dealing with the crowds, noise and hassle of a city centre, but in Birmingham you can take a step back, slow down and still enjoy the best outdoor activities Birmingham can offer. Sherbourne Wharf sits in a key area of the city, just in front of the symphony hall and surrounded by wonderful restaurants to suit every taste.
There are numerous boats running sightseeing trips around the city’s intricate waterways, usually lasting an hour or so and giving you ample time to enjoy the many historical sites and points of interest in the area, with commentary from an experienced guide along the way. The slower pace and different perspective give you a chance to relax and enjoy the views as you glide around the city unhurried and in complete tranquillity.
Both educational and relaxing, a trip through the canal network is one of the most unusual yet satisfying ways to see and learn about Birmingham’s history while being one of the best outdoor activities for relaxing.
A herd of sheep walking across a grass field. （photo is for reference only）
When you are looking for outdoor activities in London, one of the least expected options is to spend time on a working farm and enjoy open farmland and get close to the animals without traveling too far from the city centre. Yet right on the Isle of Dogs, just a few miles from the city in East London, you can find all of that and more at Mudchute Park and Farm.
A great spot for enjoying nature, it features a working farm, grassland and forestry walks, excellent for picnics and one of the best locations for outdoor activities London has to offer. The farm holds regular events, has a petting zoo with alpacas, a turkey, sheep, llamas and more. The farm also holds a number of outdoor activities that you probably wouldn’t imagine doing in the heart of the biggest city in the UK, but these really are outdoor activities London can enjoy.
Horse riding experiences and tuition are available, taking you out across the natural landscape, through the woods and more. It’s a great way to relax and enjoy just being outdoors. Whether a picnic, riding or just spending time with the animals, Mudchute Park and Farm has a lot to offer, especially for anyone looking for outdoor activities to relieve stress.
Flowering plants in the park. （photo is for reference only）
One of the more famous areas for outdoor activities in London, Regent’s Park is no less beautiful, relaxing and inspiring. The highlight of the summer is the incredible floral displays, a riot of colour featuring flowering plants from around the world. But there are so many outdoor activities to be found at Regent’s Park that whatever kind of thing you are looking for, you can find it here.
One of the most historic outdoor activities London has to offer, the London Zoo, is part of the park, along with an open-air theatre, rowing boats to hire, music festivals during the summer and more. If you just want outdoor activities for relaxation, you can take a stroll around the park, have a picnic on the grass or sit back and watch a play or listen to music, with food and other amenities around the park, it's everything you need for a day enjoying outdoor activities in London.
The Great Pagoda at Kew.
Kew Gardens brings Victorian majesty and architecture to modern science in a beautiful outdoor setting that is built to get you away from the pressures of life. One of the best outdoor activities London can offer, Kew Gardens is a UNESCO Heritage site that brings the natural wonders of the world to you right in the middle of the city.
Take a stroll through the wonderfully curated gardens and see flora and fauna from around the world. The kitchen garden, Japanese Landscape and Arboretum take you through a journey around the world, without ever leaving London. There is a children’s garden for younger visitors, a pagoda, carnivorous plant displays and so much more.
As one of the leading outdoor activities in London, Kew Gardens lets you explore the natural world at your leisure, and makes a great space for outdoor eating whether a picnic or enjoying something from the on-site shops. With everything on offer, Kew is full of outdoor activities for relaxation, and offers both beauty and education while you take a break from fast-paced, city life.
A man is canoeing. （photo is for reference only）
When it comes to outdoor activities for relaxation Manchester has great options, but if you love watersports, nothing can compete with the Salford/Helly Hansen Watersports Centre. A few minutes from the city centre in Salford, this is one of the premier outdoor activities Manchester has to offer, with a range of boating to suit every taste and ability.
Kayaking and sailing, bell boating, canoeing, raft building and windsurfing all get you out onto the water and away from daily life, relaxing and exciting in equal measure. As outdoor activities go, there doesn’t get more outdoor than the wind in your hair as you sail across open water. This is a great place to spend a day on outdoor activities in Manchester, whether you are learning or an experienced water sports enthusiast, it's sure to help you relax and get away from the pressures of life.
City view in Manchester.
A walking tour of the city taking in city history, filming locations for various films and TV shows, sites connected to the history of football in the city and more, this is one of the best outdoor activities Manchester visitors and residents can use to relax and also learn about the city itself. Taking in filming sites for a number of BBC, ITV and Netflix shows along with the best of central Manchester’s architecture and history, this guided tour is one of the ideal outdoor activities for relaxing in the city.
Over a couple of hours, you can explore the hidden gems that make Manchester the vibrant, characterful city it is. Called the Rock and Goal tour, you will not be surprised to find other areas of interest visited on this guided tour include historic landmarks, places where famous singers launched their careers and a number of football related locations that hide a wealth of amazing stories.
With a charismatic guide and the backdrop of this incredible city, this is one of the finest outdoor activities Manchester visitors and residents can enjoy. Educational, enthralling and relaxing, it’s the perfect way to discover Manchester’s hidden history.
A family having a picnic in the park. （photo is for reference only）
With ancient woodlands, flower gardens and a range of wildlife, Philips Park is a natural haven in the middle of a busy city. One of the perfect outdoor activities for relaxing in Manchester, you are transported away from the hustle and bustle of city life to a tranquil paradise that could be a completely different world.
With a range of walks to suit every ability, picnic areas and an abundance of flowers and other natural plant life, it's one of those outdoor activities Manchester has hidden away that many never get to experience. Taking a stroll through the grounds or stopping for a picnic, spending time surrounded by nature even in the heart of the city is one of the best relaxing outdoor activities you will find.
Other features of this hidden paradise include a range of food and refreshment options, and the fabulous amphitheatre that holds events at certain times of the year. For outdoor activities in Manchester for relaxing, few match the tranquillity and beauty found in Philips Park. Whether you have just a few minutes to spare, or an afternoon to explore, this is a park that offers outdoor activities to relieve stress with easy access to the city itself.
The best treatment for humans is Mother Nature. It is for this reason that living in harmony with nature is therapeutic. Nature also has the power to recharge us with positive energy. We encourage everyone to relax your mind and body during weekends by exploring natural sceneries around you!
Enjoy a good night of sleep after outdoor activities
After spending a long day in nature, you must be tired. It is time to sit down and enjoy a delicious meal. When you get home, you can try raising your feet, massaging your calves or soaking your legs in warm water. Use this time to also relax your mind and prepare your body for a good night of sleep.
A person who has trouble falling asleep might find that their bed temperature is an important factor. Learn the connection between sleep and temperature in our blog: Too hot or too cold to sleep? Create the best bed climate.
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