Where to go wild swimming near London: beaches, bays and lagoons for a swim with friends and family.

Where to go wild swimming near London | eola

Head out to the open water this season and go wild swimming near London! There are several amazing beaches, bays, lagoons, and other places for you, your friends and your family to spend some fun in the sun. Enjoy reading about our top 5 places to go wild swimming and participate in other watersports near London.

Elmer Beach, Bognor Regis

Off the beaten path, Elmer Beach is located in the eastern part of Bognor Regis. This particular beach has a wide stretch of sand when the tide is low, natural rocks create intriguing rock pools, and is perfect for exploring for shells, shrimps, and crabs. Elmer Beach even forms little islands, so your group can enjoy a secluded day private to your group.

Grab some friends and family and head to Sandy Toed Sea Swimmers right near Elmer Beach to have some fun in the water! Sandy Toed Sea Swimmers offers small group lessons or private one-on-one lessons for wild swimming.

Chalkwell Beach, Southend-On-Sea

Display your sand-castle building skills while enjoying a classic seaside experience at Chalkwell’s sandy beach. Arrive directly from the train to this beloved family destination, where children can delight in crabbing and collecting shells, while adults relax with some well-deserved sunbathing.

If you’re headed to Chalkwell Beach and are looking for another way to have fun in the water, check out Saltwater SUP. Spend time with your group during the summer learning how to SUP on the beach from their qualified instructors.

Pevensey Bay Beach, East Sussex

Pevensey Bay Beach, located on the south coast of England in East Sussex, is known for its wide expanse of shingle and sand. It stretches along the bay, offering panoramic views of the English Channel. Right off the beach is a boardwalk lined with cafes and shops, making it a convenient spot for you and your group to enjoy refreshments and seaside strolls.

Unleash your radical side this summer with Be-Rad Watersports School LTD! Book a kitesurf, wingfoil, or paddleboard lesso

Where to go wild swimming near London

Find the best outdoor activities to do with your friends and family this bank holiday weekend!

Outdoor activities for a bank holiday weekend | eola

As the bank holiday weekend approaches, it's time to plan some exciting outdoor activities for you, your family, and friends. If you're looking for fun and memorable things to do, we've got some great ideas. Here are five awesome activities to try, along with the best places to experience them.

Outdoor activities for an adventurous bank holiday

Top places in England for white water rafting, ideal for beginners preparing for their first rafting tour and seasoned rafting enthusiasts!

Best places for white water rafting in England | eola

England offers a diverse range of rivers and scenic landscapes, with some of the most exhilarating white water rafting experiences in Europe. Whether you're a beginner taking your first plunge or an enthusiast seeking new challenges, this blog post will take you through the top spots for white water rafting in England.

Best spots for white water rafting in England

Looking for a fun day out with friends and family? We go you! Here are the best family friendly outdoor activities to do in Devon

Outdoor activities to try in Devon this summer | eola

Whether you're visiting the beautiful Devon coast this summer or you're a local looking for new summer activities to enjoy with friends and family, this guide will lead you to the best spots that will make your summer adventures unforgettable. Here's your ultimate guide to outdoor sports in Devon this season.

Outdoor activities you can't miss in Devon this Summer

Here's your concise guide on all you need to know before your first white water rafting experience!

Before your first rafting trip: what to know | eola

White water rafting offers a blend of natural beauty and heart-pounding excitement. It's an adventure that allows a unique way to experience the great outdoors, so whether you're seeking an adrenaline-fuelled journey or an exciting new way to enjoy nature with friends and family, white water rafting is a great choice. Here’s your essential guide to make your first rafting trip enjoyable, safe, and unforgettable.

All you need to know before your first rafting activity

All you need to know before your next rafting adventure about the key differences between river rafting vs. artificial river rafting

River rafting vs artificial river rafting

Whether you're a seasoned paddler or a newcomer eager to get started in the world of white water rafting, understanding the nuances between river rafting and artificial river rafting is crucial. This comprehensive guide will navigate you through the exhilarating world of white water adventures, ensuring you're well-informed to choose your next thrilling escapade.

River rafting vs artificial river rafting: All you need to know

Prepare to paddle through some of the most beautiful rivers the UK has to offer! Here are our top 5 spots to go rafting in Wales:

Best places for white water rafting in Wales | eola

Wales features untamed rivers and breathtaking landscapes, with some of the best white water rafting spots in the UK. Perfect for adrenaline seekers and nature enthusiasts alike - let's explore the top spots for white water rafting in Wales:

Best places for white water rafting in Wales

Before you hop on you rafting adventure it is important to learn about rafting grades and difficulty levels! Here's all you need to know:

White water rafting grades explained: beginner's guide

Embark on the thrilling adventure of white water rafting, an outdoor activity that promises both excitement and the beauty of nature. Understanding the grading system of rapids is crucial for everyone from first-time rafters to seasoned enthusiasts. Here's a concise guide to the white water rafting grades, designed to help you pick your next adventure wisely and safely.

White water rafting grades explained: A beginners guide

Donutting is one of the best family winter activities. Here are our top pics for the best tubing/ donutting spots around the UK!

Where to go donutting and snow tubing in the UK | eola

Winter in the UK is a season of thrilling outdoor activities, with donutting standing out as a favourite for families and adventure seekers. Let's dive into the top spots for an unforgettable donutting experience.

Where to go donutting in the UK

Here's our top 10 rivers across Wales, Scotland and England for the best white water rafting experience for beginners and pros!

Best places for white water rafting in the UK | eola

The UK, with its diverse range of rivers and scenic landscapes, offers some of the most exhilarating white water rafting experiences in Europe. Whether you're a beginner taking your first plunge or an enthusiast seeking new challenges, this guide will navigate you through the best white water rafting locations in the UK.

Best spots for white water rafting in the UK

Preparing for your first white water rafting tour? Here's a concise list of all you need to know before taking on the adventure!

White water rafting: all you need to know | eola

Welcome to the world of white water rafting, a must-try adventure for outdoor enthusiasts in the UK! This guide is tailored for both beginners and seasoned rafters, aiming to provide all the essential information to prepare you for an unforgettable rafting experience. Let's dive in!

All you need to know about white water rafting

Wondering what is a dry ski slope and how similar is it to snow skiing? Here's all you need to know to prep your skiing experience:

Dry slope skiing vs snow skiing: what to know | eola

Let’s delve into a topic that stirs much curiosity and excitement in the skiing community: the differences between dry slope skiing and traditional snow skiing, here's all you need to know:

Dry slope skiing vs. snow skiing: All you need to know!

Make the most of the UK winter with our top 5 adventurous outdoor activities, perfect for adventure seekers in the cooler months!

Best winter outdoor activities in the UK | eola

Discover the top winter outdoor activities in the UK with our guide. Experience the thrill of white water rafting, hit the slopes, ride the winter waves, enjoy family-friendly tubing on dry ski slopes, and tackle rugged trails with mountain biking. Perfect for adventure seekers looking to explore the UK's natural beauty during the colder months.

Best winter outdoor activities for adventure seekers

We are delighted to announce that the eola GBR Series is returning in summer 2022, with the first race taking place at the end of April. The

Press release: the eola GBR Series returns | eola

We are delighted to announce that the eola GBR Series is returning in summer 2022, with the first race taking place at the end of April. The outdoor races will kick off with a double weekend at Llandudno Ski Centre on Saturday, 30th and Sunday, 31st April. The start of ...

PRESS RELEASE: eola GBR series returns summer 2022

eola was delighted to welcome Jamie Marshall, author of the world's first PhD in Surf Therapy, to speak with us about his research findings.

Surf therapy Q&A with Jamie Marshall PhD | eola

eola was delighted to welcome Jamie Marshall, author of the world's first PhD in Surf Therapy, to speak with us about his research findings. We discussed how being outdoors positively impacts mental health, and how the activities industry can continue to contribute to promoting good mental health and creating safe ...

Surf Therapy Q&A with Jamie Marshall PhD

Wednesday the 8th of March was 2022 International Women’s Day, and eola was delighted to host our first ever IWD event: Empowering and celeb

Empowering and celebrating women in sport | eola

Wednesday the 8th of March was 2022 International Women’s Day, and eola was delighted to host our first ever IWD event: Empowering and celebrating women in sport. In the event, industry leading speakers focused on three key pillars: empowering increased female participation in sport, educating people on how to increase ...

Empowering and Celebrating Women in Sport

Becoming a sustainable company working to preserve the environment and look after the planet is central to our goals at eola.

Year in Review: 2021 Green Initiatives launched

Becoming a sustainable company working to preserve the environment and look after the planet is central to our goals at eola. As a young company we are committed to working to support causes and actions which have a positive impact on the world around us.

eola's green initiatives launched

2021 was a year of considerable growth for eola. In January, after a difficult year for the travel and activities sector, our future looked

Looking back on 2021 with eola CTO Dan Steele | eola

2021 was a year of considerable growth for eola. In January, after a difficult year for the travel and activities sector, our future looked uncertain. But a major funding round secured in February meant it was ‘all systems go’ once more, and we began to invest heavily in expanding our ...

Looking back on 2021, with eola CTO Dan Steele

2021 was a year of considerable growth for eola. A major funding round secured in February meant it was ‘all systems go’ from there on out.

Looking back on 2021 with eola CEO Callum Hemsley

2021 was a year of considerable growth for eola. In January, after a difficult year for the travel and activities sector, our future looked uncertain. But a major funding round secured in February meant it was ‘all systems go’ once more.

Looking back on 2021, with eola CEO Callum Hemsley

Open water swimming is one of the most thrilling and addictive activities out there. Discover the best spots to give it a try in the UK!

7 of the best open water swimming spots in the UK

Open water swimming is one of the most thrilling and addictive activities out there. Listening to the gentle splashing of water as you glide along, it’s not hard to see why the activity has taken the UK by storm.

7 of the UK’s best open water swimming spots

Heading to Cornwall? Find out about Big Green Surf School's hidden slice of surfing heaven!

Newquay's hidden surf beach: Big Green Adventures | eola

Discover all that Crantock's hidden surf beach paradise has to offer with Big Green Surf School!

Newquay's hidden surf beach paradise

In the first instalment of a new monthly column, eola co-founder and CEO Callum Hemsley outlines the story of how the idea for eola came about.

Callum's column: the story of eola | eola

One of the most common questions I get asked as CEO of eola is what was the first spark that started our journey. For my part of it, it began on a beach.

Callum's column: The story of eola

This December, we'll be partnering with the Future Forest Company to plant a tree for every booking made through the eola marketplace.

Plant a tree with eola this Christmas | eola

Plant a tree with eola this Christmas

Want to start a fire? Build a shelter? Find out where to learn bushcraft, the art  of surviving and thriving outdoors, in our article.

5 places to learn bushcraft in the UK | eola

Bushcraft, the art and science of surviving and thriving in nature, covers everything from starting fires to finding shelter and foraging for food. It’s a deeply enriching experience, suitable for all the family, which reconnects us with our natural origins.

5 places to learn bushcraft in the UK

With its mountain lakes and epic coastline, Wales is SUP heaven. Discover the best Welsh paddleboarding spots in our article!

7 places to go stand-up paddleboarding in Wales

With its secluded mountain lakes and world-famous coastline, Wales is full of incredible spots to try stand-up paddleboarding.

We hosted our own miniature beach clean on Fistral Beach, one of the UK’s best surfing spots. Read on to find out how it went!

Our Cornwall beach clean: how it went | eola

At eola, we want to contribute to positive change in the world, and use our platform to support environmental and social causes. In line with this, as part of our recent company trip to Newquay, we decided to host our own miniature beach clean on Fistral Beach.

We ran our own beach clean; here’s how it went!

Discover where to go for a team-building day out that can boost productivity and improve communication within your company.

7 outdoor team building activities in the UK | eola

By helping colleagues get to know each other, a team building day out can boost productivity and improve communication. It’s also a great way to identify and encourage skills like leadership, creativity, and resilience within your company.

7 brilliant team building activities

From sleepy inland rivers to dramatic coastal waters, we've found some of the best places to go stand-up paddleboarding in Sussex!

7 places to go stand-up paddleboarding in Sussex

With its rolling green hills, chalk coastal cliffs and seaside towns, Sussex is classic Southern England. 

From sleepy inland rivers to dramatic coastal waters, here are 7 of the best locations to give stand-up paddleboarding a go across Sussex.

Places to go stand-up paddleboarding in Sussex

Looking to learn to ski or snowboard? Find out how Active Nation are welcoming beginners to the slopes at their Alpine Snowsports centres.

Beginner skiing and snowboarding with Active Nation | eola

Active Nation was set up with one mission - to make sport and exercise accessible to everyone. Alongside swimming, cycling, and football, snowsports are some of Active Nation’s most popular activities. The charity runs lessons and sessions throughout the year from their Alpine Snowsports ski slopes in Southampton and Aldershot. They cater to complete beginners and experienced skiers and snowboarders alike.

Levelling the slope with Active Nation

Kitesurfing is the ultiamte pick-me-up! Find out why you should give this future Olympic sport a go in our article.

5 reasons to try kitesurfing | eola

Kitesurfing combines the best of sailing and surfing into one thrilling activity. By using the power of the wind, kitesurfers are able to reach high speeds, even leaving the water behind entirely and taking to the air! Here are five reasons why you should give kitesurfing a go.

5 reasons to try kitesurfing

Steph Bridge is a five-time kite racing world champion. Now she's putting Exmouth on the map with kitesurfing company Edge Watersports.

Kitesurfing on the edge, with Steph Bridge | eola

Kitesurfing on the edge, with Steph Bridge

Discover Scotland's dramatic coastlines and sparkling lochs on a stand-up paddleboarding adventure!

5 places to go stand-up paddleboarding in Scotland

Discover all that the spectacular Lake District has to offer!

3 activities for a perfect Lake District weekend

3 must-do activities for a perfect Lake District weekend

Rachel Murphy is the founder and director of Women + Waves, a surfing collective bringing women together through surfing.

Women + Waves: in conversation with Rachel Murphy

Rachel Murphy is the founder and director of Women + Waves, an all-female surfing collective with the goal of bringing women from around the world together through surfing.

Women + Waves, in conversation with Rachel Murphy

Find out more about the husband and wife team behind Maldon's friendliest SUP school!

Exploring Essex with Frangipani SUP

Exploring Essex's waterways with Frangipani SUP

Discover how an adventure in the great outdoors could take your wedding celebrations to the next level!

5 outdoor stag and hen do ideas near London | eola

More and more people are discovering how outdoor activities can help them celebrate an upcoming wedding in style!

5 outdoor stag and hen do ideas near London

Skiing might be seen as a classic snowsport, but that doesn’t mean it’s just for the winter!

5 reasons to try skiing in summer | eola

5 reasons to try skiing this summer

To celebrate the summer solstice, here are 5 top UK adventures to make the most of those long summer evenings!

5 sensational UK sunset adventures

The 21st of June marks the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. With warmer weather and hours of sunshine, it’s time to get outside.

Sensational sunset adventures in the UK

eola are proud to be sponsoring the 2021 eola GBR Series, a ski race series held on artificial slopes across the UK.

The 2021 eola GBR series

eola are are proud to be sponsoring the 2021 eola GBR Series, a ski race series held on artificial slopes across the UK.

The eola GBR Series: Event schedule 2021

Did you know there are 500,000 surfers in the UK? Find out why surfing is the sport to try this summer!

5 reasons to learn to surf | eola

Did you know there are 500,000 surfers in the UK and that figure is increasing year-on-year? It's easy to see why - the UK boasts some of the best locations for surfing in the world.

5 reasons to learn to surf

Norfolk is a brilliant place to try paddlesports! Read about some of the best places to explore in our article.

3 places to paddle in Norfolk: SUP and kayaking | eola

Norfolk is a brilliant place to try paddle sports! Read about some of the best places to explore in our article.

3 places to paddle in Norfolk

Looking to treat a loved one? Give them the gift of adventure.

10 summer experience gift ideas | eola

If you’re looking to treat a loved one to something special this summer, why not give them the gift of an experience outdoors?

10 fantastic summer experience gifts

We spoke with Nigel Muir, co-founder of Paddle Richmond, to find out more about what makes SUP such a popular activity

Paddle Richmond: a stand-up paddleboarding adventure

Looking for a new adventure close to London? Try stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) and explore the beautiful waterways of leafy Richmond with Paddle Richmond.

Paddle Richmond: A stand-up paddleboarding adventure

For eola - a young start-up working with travel and leisure businesses - 2020 has been a monumental challenge but also a year of great growth.

A note on 2020 from our CEO, Callum | eola

A note on 2020 from Callum - CEO

The 10 most popular outdoor experiences of 2020, and where you can try them in the UK.

The 10 most popular experiences of 2020 | eola

Looking to try a new adventure in the new year? 2020 has been a year to make the most of the great outdoors, and the extraordinary experiences the UK has to offer.

10 of the most popular experiences of 2020

Love new and exciting activities, or know someone with a thirst for adventure? Here are some fantastic experiences to try in the North of England.

5 adventure activities in the North of England | eola

Do you enjoy new and exciting activities or know someone with a thirst for adventure? We have some fantastic experiences for you to try in the North of England!

Activities & experiences blog