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Best activities for teenagers

Kayaking at Soar Mill Cove at East Soar, South Devon
Kayaking at Soar Mill Cove at East Soar, South Devon | © National Trust Images/Trevor Ray Hart

Discover a world of endless adventures with our pick of the best things for teenagers to do. Round up your friends and family and get exploring.

Try out some watersports
Ever ridden a crashing wave or canoed under chalky cliffs? Feel alive as you surf the white water at Portstewart Strand in Northern Ireland on a body board, or try coasteering at Stackpole in Pembrokeshire. For something different, you could have a go at kite-surfing at Brancaster Beach in Norfolk.Discover the best beaches for watersports
Go behind the scenes of your favourite film
Discover the places that provide the backdrop for your favourite films and TV shows. Get closer to the magical world of Malificent (2014) and Into the Woods (2015) at Ashridge in Hertfordshire. Lacock Abbey in Wiltshire has been used for two Harry Potter films, and you can reimagine famous scenes as you walk through the historic architecture. For sci-fi fans, Tredegar House in Newport featured in 11 episodes of Dr Who between 2005 and 2009.Visit top film locations
Sleep under the stars on a camping trip
Adventures don’t stop when the sun goes down. Spend a week in the wild on a camping trip, and listen for barn owls while you toast marshmallows on the fire. At some places you can wake up beside the water before heading out on a day filled with excitement.Discover the best places to camp
Family exploring the cycle trails at Lanhydrock, Cornwall
Family exploring the cycle trails at Lanhydrock, Cornwall | © National Trust Images/James Dobson
Take on a challenging cycle trail
There are many places where you can get out on your bike. The mountain biking trail at Stackpole in Pembrokeshire takes you through woodlands on steep routes to get your heart racing. For a challenging ride, take on the Long Mynd Classic in Shropshire. Pedal hard up steep climbs before being rewarded with high-speed descents and impressive views of the Carding Mill Valley.Try a longer cycling route
Get into running
Pull on your trainers and take in the great outdoors on a running route with a view. Explore woodlands, parklands, coastline and lakes when you run in nature. It beats the treadmill any day and means you can explore more places while you exercise.Discover the top running routes with a view
Two visitors walking in the garden, both laughing whilst holding an ice cream at Cliveden in Buckinghamshire

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