Discover your sense of adventure

The view from a mountain top is far better, I've learned, than anything you're likely to see from behind sunglasses on the beach. Action has become the new taking-it-easy. I don't want to be a tourist or even a traveller; I want to be an explorer and an adventurer.

I'd love to take a few months 'out' to climb every 'Wainwright' in the Lakes or run the length of the Welsh coastal path, but that kind of thing is rather tricky when you have a nine-till-five job.

But when work is long and time is short, the best option is a mini adventure. Take yourself off for a weekend in the wilderness, and venture off not quite knowing what the outcome will be.

That's exactly what I did when I set off for Preseli Venture, a five star eco lodge in beautiful Pembrokeshire which specialises in adventure activities.

My partner and I were looking forward to a weekend dipping in the ocean; we'd signed up for coasteering and sea kayaking – both of which we'd never done before. Preseli Venture also welcomes families, and everyone from the age of nine upwards can take part in the activities provided they can swim.

Very quickly I was throwing myself into a new challenge – quite literally. For coasteering involves clambering or swimming across rocky coves and bays and entails a good deal of jumping in (the most fun part).

Before setting off, our friendly instructor Rob kitted us out in a winter wetsuit, neoprene socks, gloves and headgear, as well as a special helmet and buoyancy aid.

We drove by mini bus a short distance to St Non's bay, a stunningly beautiful and unspoilt spot said to be the birthplace of coasteering. I could see why. After a short safety briefing from Rob at the top of the cliffs, we clambered down to the sea.

No beach here – just beautiful rocky outcrops which thanks to Mother Nature were mostly covered by barnacles giving a perfect non slip finish. In defiance of a grim weekend weather forecast, the spring sun was shining on an untroubled blue-green sea, which was amazingly clear in places.

Above us was the breathtaking Pembrokeshire path, with its bright bursts of yellow gorse set against the perfectly blue sky.

Time for our first jump. We were all rather tentative a first, but very soon small jumps became leaps, somersaults, dives (and belly flops) as our confidence grew. Plunging into the sea, we quickly bobbed back up like a cork, swam a few metres then scrambled back up the rock to do it all again. Everyone was wearing huge grins.

Within two hours I had gone from plopping two feet to plunging 20 metres, and loving every minute.

The entire stretch of coastline has been risk assessed, and Rob acted as shepherd making sure everyone was safe at all times.

Sea kayaking was another great experience, and a lot easier then I'd imagined.

We paddled out of the harbour and set about exploring the coastline, gliding in and out of caves that would be home to mother seals and their pups in a few months' time.

From our vantage point down below, and being so close to the sea and rock, we were seeing Pembrokeshire's beauty from a completely different perspective; it was like taking an alternative coastal path.

And although at times we felt a whiff of fear, as you must with any adventure, in reality we were 100 per cent safe.

That's what makes Preseli Venture such a great place for families too, and its instructors will tailor activities to suit youngsters as well as adrenalin-seeking tough guys. All equipment is included.

Back at the lodge, accommodation is very clean and comfortable and is strong on green credentials; for example, a ground source heat pump produces all hot water and heating in the lodge.

Back from adventuring, guests are served a home-cooked locally sourced lunch and dinner in a central lodge which feels very much like a home from home with books, games and log burner.

The food was ample, delicious and satisfying and they'll happily cater for special dietary needs, with advance notice.

A fine cooked breakfast will set you up for the day, and there's a well-stocked bar to help you wind down in the evening.

The place has a great atmosphere; it's very hard not to chat and relive the day's experiences. Preseli Venture is family owned by people who clearly love the beauty that surrounds them – they named their business after the nearby Preseli Hills – and demonstrate this love with a commitment to sustainability.

They have built a very special place here, with an atmosphere that instantly brings a smile to your face. And that smiled stayed with me, even on a Monday morning back at the office. In just one weekend I'd accomplished new challenges, returned with stories to tell, met some inspiring people and made a few friends along the way.

That's what mini adventures are all about.

By Kim Bennett

Preseli Venture until December, £225pp

Includes two nights accommodation, meals, two half-day guided adventures plus self guided half-day hike

Pick and mix: Accommodation with all meals costs £62pppn with adventure activities including coasteering, surfing or sea kayaking half day, £52pp. Self guided coastal hike half-day, free.

www.preseliventure.co.uk or email: info@preseliventure.co.uk / call 01348 837709. Parcynole Fach, Mathry, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA62 5HN