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8 Things To Do When You Visit A 60-Million-Acre Island Resort

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A crystal clear view out to the Atlantic Sea from the cliff-tops of Caldey Island on the Pembrokeshire coast.

Â©VisitBritain / Britain on View

2. SAUNTER AROUND 870 MILES OF COASTLINE You can actually hike all 870 miles of the stunning Wales coastline, thanks to the <a href="http://www.walescoastpath.gov.uk/default.aspx">Wales Coast Path</a>. Wales is the first country in the world to have a formal trail along its coast, and it was named the world's top destination by Lonely Planet last year. The path will take you to sandy beaches and cliff tops, including the majestic Cardigan Bay and the Isle of Anglesey. Besides stunning scenery, there's wildlife to see, such as puffins at Skomer Island in Pembrokeshire. <a href="http://www.visitbritain.com/en/Destinations-and-Maps/Beaches-and-coastal-areas/Pembrokeshire.htm">Pembrokeshire</a> is also home to some of the U.K.'s best beaches.

Photograph of Couple overlooking Whitesands Bay near St. David's on the Pembrokeshire coast in Wales (Â©VisitBritain / Rod Edwards)

3. VISIT THE LOCAL RUINS When it comes to history, you can't beat Britain's castles. Many are <a href="http://www.visitbritain.com/en/Things-to-do/Heritage/Britains-castles.htm">situated near the water</a>, one of the most stunning is <a href="http://www.dunnottarcastle.co.uk/index.cfm">Dunnottar Castle</a> in Scotland. The remains of this fortress are situated 50 meters above waterâWilliam Wallace, Mary Queen of Scots, the Marquis of Montrose and the future King Charles II were all notable guests. Another incredible Scottish castle is <a href="http://www.eileandonancastle.com/">Eilean Donan</a>, which sits on an island where three sea lochs meet. The first version of the castle was built during the reign of Alexander II in the early 1200sâsince then, the castle is in its fourth incarnation after centuries of warring clans.<a href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunstanburgh-castle/">Dunstanburgh Castle</a> is a coastal castle in Northumberland dating from the 14th century (it's also near Alnwick, which has a <a href="http://www.alnwickcastle.com/">castle</a>). Wales has the highest number of castles per capitaâone, Conwy Castle, stands dramatically in an estuary. For some subterranean ruins, go to East Devon and explore the <a href="http://www.beerquarrycaves.fsnet.co.uk/BEERQ~S/Beer_Quarry_Cx.html">Beer Quarry Caves</a>. The caverns were created from over 2,000 years of quarrying beer stone, which was used to build many important structures, including London Bridge, Windsor Castle and Westminster Abbey.

Photograph of Eilean Donan in Scotland (Â©VisitBritain / Britain on View)

4. PLAY GOLF WHERE IT ALL STARTED The modern game of golf, played over 18 holes, was born in Scotland in the 15th century. In fact, King James II of Scotland banned the playing of golf in 1457 because it was distracting attention from military archery practice. Today, however, it is a national past time in Scotland and the iconic home of golf is <a href="http://www.standrews.org.uk/">St. Andrews</a>, which has seven courses, six 18-hole and one nine-hole. You can book tee time there as well as <a href="http://www.standrews.org.uk/Playing-in-St-Andrews/Academy.aspx">take lessons</a>. There are many <a href="http://www.visitbritain.com/en/Top-10-golf-courses-and-events/">other top golf courses all around Britain</a>. The <a href="http://www.nefyn-golf-club.co.uk/en/">Nefyn Golf Club</a> in Wales has stunning sea views (photo above) as well as <a href="http://www.visitbritain.com/en/Destinations-and-Maps/National-parks-and-scenic-areas/Snowdonia.htm">vistas of the Snowdonia mountains</a>. <a href="http://www.royalcountydown.org/">Royal County Down</a> in Northern Ireland has a challenging course with patches of gorse and heather-rimmed bunkers (there's also a less-intimidating course; both have views of the Dundrum Bay). <a href="http://www.royal-liverpool-golf.com/">Royal Liverpool</a> in Hoylake has a deceptively bumpy course and an extensive collection of golf memorabilia. This year's British Open (or "The Open" as it's known in Britain) is at <a href="http://www.muirfield.org.uk/">Muirfield</a> in Scotland. The British golf governing body, The R&A (The Royal and Ancient Golf Club), notes, "The course is renowned amongst golfers as being perhaps the fairest test of all the Open venues, with few of the quirky bounces and hidden danger that links courses often contain. Two circuits of nine rotate in opposite directions, the back nine looping inside the front nine, ensuring that the golfer is never faced with the same wind direction on two consecutive holes."

Photograph of the Nefyn Golf Club in Wales (Courtesy of WalesOnView)

5. JUMP OFF A CLIFF AND "COASTEER" With its natural rocky coastline, there's lots of opportunity for "coasteering." <a href="http://www.visitbritain.com/en/Coasteering-in-Wales/">What is coasteering</a>? Well, it's for anyone whoâs looking for the crazy adrenaline rush from scaling rocky outcroppings, dangling from cliffs and jumping into the water! It's basically having fun while working your way around the coast, by way of climbing, diving and swimming. Coasteering has its roots in Walesâthe <a href="http://www.visitwales.co.uk/things-to-do-in-wales/active-outdoor-activities-sports-and-adventure/coasteering-in-wales/">region's tourism board</a> explains that it was "first developed in Pembrokeshire by surfers and kayakers in the 1980s and 1990s" and now it's "one of the UKâs fastest growing adventure sports." Popular spots for this rigorous activity are Wales, Cornwall, Dorset, and the Scottish coast.

Photograph of coasteering at Mullion Cove, Cornwall (Â©VisitBritain / Ben Selway)

6. MAKE YOUR OWN GIN AFTER LEARNING FROM THE EXPERTS Britain has been perfecting gin since the 17th century. It's believed that William III introduced the spirit from the Dutch Republic in 1688, and the first half of the 18th century has been referred to as the "Gin Craze" because everyone was consuming it. Now, Britain is home to the premier gin distilleries in the world, as well as many more recent artisanal distilleries. Visit <a href="http://booking.plymouthgin.com/distillery-tours/cat_5.html">Plymouth Gin's Black Friars Distillery</a> in Plymouth and learn how they make their gin. The 90-minute Gin Connoisseurâs Tour gives you an in-depth look at the history of gin and a tasting to compare different styles while the two-hour Master Distiller's Private Tour allows you to create your own gin! In 2009, <a href="http://www.sipsmith.com/">Sipsmiths</a> opened as London's first copper distillery in 200 years. Producing small batches of London gin and sloe gin (as well as some vodka), they feature tours of their facilities as well as tastings. <a href="http://portobellostarbar.co.uk/ginstitutelondon/">The Ginstitute</a>, also in London, also offers lessons in gin history and distilling and the opportunity to create your own bespoke gin.

Photograph of ingredients at a distillery (iStockphoto)

7. TRAVEL THE THAMES LIKE JAMES BOND You're not going to shoot out of MI6 headquarters <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-Tdmxx54PY">like James Bond</a> or <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKlcaDwQiIY">escort the Olympic torch like David Beckham</a>, but you can still take an exhilirating <a href="http://www.londonribvoyages.com/booking.php?tour_id=9&subpage=tour_details">RIB boat ride</a> along the River Thames while also taking in London's sights. The Thames is England's longest river (215 miles) and passes through many places of interest, including Oxford, Windsor and Greenwich. London's mass transit agency, Transport for London, has <a href="http://www.tfl.gov.uk/modalpages/21317.aspx">river service to Greenwich</a>, where you can hop off and visit the National Maritime Museum and Royal Observatory Greenwich. Another boat ride idea along the Thames is to take a trip to Hampton Court Palace, Henry VIII's immense Tudor palace. There are <a href="http://www.wpsa.co.uk/">boats between Hampton Court and Westminster and Kew</a>, and you can picnic on the grounds.

8. TAKE A BATH... IN BATH AND OTHER SPA TOWNS <a href="http://www.visitbritain.com/en/Destinations-and-Maps/History-and-heritage/Bath.htm">The city of Bath</a> is bigger than ever, thanks to the surging popularity of famous resident Jane Austen (Pride and Prejudice celebrates its 200th birthday this year) and everything Regency-related. Just under 100 miles from London in Somerset, its hallmarks are its Regency streets made from honey-colored stone, and the Roman Baths and hot springs famed for their restorative powers. While Romans discovered the hot springs 2000 years ago, the city became a destination at the turn of the 19th century when "taking the waters" at the <a href="http://www.romanbaths.co.uk/">Roman Baths</a> was popular for both health and social purposes. Visitors would drink waters in the Grand Pump Room or actually bathe in the springs. Today, visitors can see the hot springs in the beautiful Roman Baths and dine in the Grand Pump Room. For the full spa experience, head to <a href="http://www.thermaebathspa.com/">Thermae Spa</a>, which is Britain's only spa with natural thermal waters. Their rooftop infinity pool is open day and night! There are <a href="http://www.visitbritain.com/en/Spa-towns/">many other spa towns for your escape</a> in Britain: In Yorkshire, there's the gloriously redeveloped <a href="http://www.turkishbathsharrogate.co.uk/Pages/home.aspx">Harrogate Victorian Turkish Baths</a> with original Arabic mosaics. Malvern's natural spring water, the favorite of monarchs including Victoria and Elizabeth II, offers purity <a href="http://www.themalvernspa.com/">for spa goers</a>. And <a href="http://www.chewtonglen.com/spa/">Chewton Glen Spa</a>, set on 130 acres in Hampshire, has a 17-meter ozone treated swimming pool and a unique hydrotherapy pool with six different treatments.