7 Cool Stag Do Ideas

Push yourselves to the limits on this extreme adventure weekend where you’ll learn how to survive with little to no resources (no tent, no food and no water). On arrival you will be shown how to identify, trap and prepare your food; where to source water; and which local fauna to make a part of your diet. The training will progress to knife skills, fire lighting and learning to use knots as well as wilderness first aid, how to protect yourself from an attack and how to build shelter before being put to the test. A reasonable level of fitness is expected – and likely necessary to fully enjoy the challenge. The course runs from Saturday through to Sunday afternoon; all activities are weather dependent. The maximum group size is 14, with all meals and kit provided. 

From £1,500pp.

Visit BearGryllsSurvivalAcademy.com

The Algarve in Portugal is famous for its friendly waters. Ideal for less experienced surfers, the waves are gentle to moderate, while the golden beaches are lined with bars and restaurants. The south coast has the best resorts, but the less developed west coast has pristine beaches like Arrifana, Amada and Castelejo. First timers should book into Arrifana Surf School for group sessions led by one of the team’s pros – choose from half, three or five-day courses, all kit provided. This beach villa is a short walk from the beach and sleeps up to eight with an outdoor pool and impressive views over the bay. 

Visit ArrifanaSurfSchool.com

Follow in the tyre marks of F1 legends and hit the racetrack at Silverstone. Groups can book driving experiences to get behind the wheel of a supercar on the UK’s only F1 track – choose from Aston Martins, Ferraris and BMWs. Instructors will show you the ropes before you challenge your mates –and there are no speed limits. The Race Car experience includes four laps of the track, a 20-minute driving session in a Formula Single Seater, plus photos and videos. Make like an F1 superstar and check into the nearby Horwood House Hotel to debrief over dinner, drinks and spa treatments.

From £249pp.

Visit Silverstone.co.uk

If sailing along France’s canals with beers and a BBQ sounds like your idea of a great time, you’re in the right place. Thanks to the new Toulouse Stadium, the country’s south west is ideal for foodies, wine connoisseurs and rugby fans. The Baïse, the Tarn and the Canal de Garonne offer 300km of waterways with a unique heritage – sail the boat yourself or choose a self-drive model so you can sit back and relax. Stop off at listed sites and medieval towns, catch your dinner on the water, and make your way around local restaurants and bars. For a longer trip, start in Bordeaux for wine tastings and pick up a Loca Boat from the Unesco World Heritage Site of Agen.

From €1,057 per week. 

Visit LocaBoat.com

Europe’s most extensive mountain range has countless biking routes for beginners and pros alike. During the summer months when the snow has melted, venture to Les Arcs, Morzine, Chamonix, Zermatt or Sauze d’Oulx for the best roads. Byclet has rental outlets in most Alpine cities and areas, where you can hire a mountain bike and equipment or arrange your whole trip – services cover airport transfers to private guides. Alternatively, Alpine Elements and White Room MTB arrange breaks around the Alps, including equipment hire, accommodation, transfers and food. 

From €700 per week.

Visit AlpineElements.co.uk & WhiteRoomMTB.com

Set within Snowdonia National Park, the Tryweryn river is home to the National White Water Centre. It’s here you can experience 9km of natural river rafting unrivalled in the rest of the UK. The river, which is also home to the largest number of otters in North Wales, has five sections of rapids spread along its course, with some reaching grade four on the white-water scale. The Tryweryn is open for white-water adventures whenever the Llyn Celyn reservoir is releasing water – which happens around 200 days of the year. After some time on the water, treat yourself to a couple of nights at Palé Hall Hotel where you can use its e-bikes and enjoy fine dining at the restaurant. 

From £125pp. 

Visit NationalWhiteWaterCentre.co.uk