As spring comes ever closer, it’s a great opportunity to make plans to explore new places and try new things, and according to a recent survey of 1,500 people from the travel experts at Wales Cottage Holidays, 63% of us always do the same thing on holiday, but 79% of would like to try something new during a staycation in 2024. So, they’ve complied the ultimate “Weird and Wonderful Bucket List for 2024”.
The holiday cottage company surveyed Brits to find out what their current holiday habits are when it comes to activities, and which weird and wonderful things they’d like to try while on a UK break. It also tested their knowledge to see if they knew they could do some of these more unusual activities in the UK.
90% of those surveyed wanted to try a UK holiday somewhere they’d never been before and with Wales offering nearly all the activities on the Weird and Wonderful Bucket List, it’s a great choice for a 2024 staycation.
Weird and Wonderful Bucket List 2024
Where to try the top 3 Weird and Wonderful Bucket List experiences in Wales
- Attend an open-air cinema show
With almost three quarters (73%) of people surveyed wanting to experience a movie under the stars, it’s the most popular activity people would like to try in 2024. For those who usually head to the theatre for a night out (81% of people surveyed had been to a West End show), but want to try something new Wales Cottage Holidays are suggesting getting the camping chairs out, packing a picnic and snuggling up in front of the big screen in an outdoors location.
Adventure Cinema are hosting open air cinemas at 6 venues across Wales this year. They have events at Bute Park in Cardiff, Bodrhyddan Hall in Rhyl, Margam Country Park in Neath Port Talbot, Caldicot Castle in Monmouthshire, and at Chirk Castle and Erddig Hall, both near Wrexham. With everything from Frozen sing-alongs to classics such as Pretty Woman, there’s something for everyone. Find out more HERE.
Here’s a few ideas of places to stay nearby:
- Bute Park: HERE
- Bodrhyddan Hall: HERE
- Margam Country Park: HERE
- Caldicot Castle: HERE
- Chirk Castle: HERE
- Erddig Hall: HERE
- Go Husky Sledding
Interestingly, only 33% of people knew you could try husky sledding in the UK, but now they do, over double that amount (68%) of people would love to try it! Perfect perhaps for those who normally explore the countryside by bike, they can kick up the excitement levels by racing through a North Wales forest on a sled!
Mynydd Sleddog Adventures offer a range of exhilarating experiences within the beautiful forest trails of Bwlch HafodEinion and Alwen Reservoir in North Wales. They have a variety of experiences to try, suitable for all ages. The youngest members of the family can enjoy meeting these beautiful working dogs, whilst older children and adults can enjoy learning to mush and whizzing around the forest. Find out more HERE.
Stay nearby: HERE
- Take an alpaca for a walk
It may come as no surprise that walking was the most popular choice of less unusual holiday activities amongst those surveyed – 59% of people on a British break enjoy exploring on foot. Wales is a perfect location to explore with its breathtaking scenery and variety of places to explore. But the people surveyed know what’s better than taking a walk, it’staking a walk with an alpaca! Coming in 3rd place on the bucket list, almost two thirds (63%) of those asked would like to give this unusual activity a try.
Wales is the place to go to explore with a South American mammal by your side. There are dozens of providers across the country offering the chance to try this bucket list adventure. The wonderfully named Alpaca My Boots in the BannauBrycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park is a leading prover of alpaca treks. Visitors can explore the stunning scenery as they lead their new friend through the heart of the national park. More details HERE.
Stay nearby: HERE
Least Popular Adventures
- Go bog snorkeling – 7%
- Try caving and potholing – 10%
- Try ice climbing – 13%
- Sculpt sandcastles at a national competition – 23%
- Take a Highland Games workshop – 23%
Wales has the most popular adventures covered, but for those who like to try something different, not to worry, it also has places to try the least popular experiences.
Perhaps unsurprisingly the activity people surveyed least wanted to try was Bog Snorkeling. Only 7% of respondents fancied diving into a muddy bog whilst on holiday. But for those who are part of the minority who would like to try this most unusual activity, Llanwrtyd Wells in Mid Wales hosts the World Bog Snorkeling Championships annually. Details HERE.
Stay nearby: HERE
It appears Brits don’t want to meet things that go bump in the night whilst relaxing on a break. While over 91% of people in the survey knew that you could go ghost hunting in the UK, less than 40% responded they would want to try it on their next holiday. For the brave souls that would like to try their hand at something a little paranormal, Craig y Nos Castle is reputedly the most haunted castle in Wales and holds regular ghost tours within its eerie walls. More information HERE.
Stay nearby: HERE
When asked, people responded that caving was one of the activities they’d least like to try on a UK holiday, with just over 10% of people wanting to give it a go. However surely, they’d change their minds when they realised the excellent underground adventures available in Wales. From exploring the National Showcaves Centre in South Wales to ziplining through underground caverns in Snowdonia with Go Below, there are incredible opportunities to see under the surface in Wales, without having to scramble through small spaces.
Stay nearby:
Laura Kerslake, Brand Manager for Wales Cottage Holidays gave us her thoughts on the list…….
“It’s been very interesting to discover the bucket list activities that people would like to try on a UK break. With over three quarters of people surveyed wanting to try something new, there’s obviously a large appetite for people to experience different kinds of experiences while on holiday. And we’re thrilled with how many of these weird and wonderful bucket list adventures can be done here in Wales.
There probably aren’t many places in the world you could learn how to forage for food, take a walk with an alpaca and head deep underground all in the same day! So it really shows the diverse range of adventures on offer in Wales, and that there truly is something for every kind of visitor to our wonderful country. We really hope our Weird and Wonderful Bucket List for 2024 inspires people to get out and try some new activities and swap something they usually do for something new and unique”.
You can discover more details on the Weird and Wonderful Bucket List, please click HERE.
