40 Things to Do Before 40 - The Ultimate Adventure

Life begins at 40, but why wait to start living it fully? Whether you're fast approaching the big 4-0 or just love ticking off bold goals, this list is your ultimate bucket list of adventures, challenges, and unforgettable experiences.

From wild escapades to meaningful milestones, 40 Things to Do Before 40 is your guide to making every moment count before hitting that milestone birthday. Ready to shake things up and write your own story of daring, growth, and fun? Let’s dive into the ultimate adventure, one unforgettable experience at a time.

The Great Outdoors

1. Outdoor Yoga – Reconnect with nature through a serene forest yoga session or take your practice to the water with Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga, available at stunning locations across the UK. Inhale the crisp, fresh air and exhale stress as you flow beneath open skies.

2. Fly Fishing – Discover the peaceful rhythm of fly fishing in some of the UK's most tranquil waters. Learn the art from seasoned anglers and immerse yourself in the stillness, where the only thing biting might be your next great story.

3. Mountain Biking – Feel the rush as you ride through breathtaking countryside and ancient woodlands. Whether you’re tackling tough trails or coasting through scenic routes, mountain biking is the perfect way to launch your bucket list adventures.

4. Canyoning – Ready to push your limits? Take on one of the UK’s wildest outdoor challenges as you scramble, slide, jump, and abseil your way through towering canyons and rushing water. It’s adrenaline-fueled, rugged, and seriously unforgettable.

5. White Water Rafting – Grab a paddle and hold on tight, white water rafting is the ultimate test of teamwork and nerves. Navigate churning rapids and roaring rivers on an exhilarating ride that’ll leave you soaked, breathless, and grinning from ear to ear.

6. Suffolk Coast and Devon Seascapes Photography Breaks – Capture the serene beauty of the UK’s most breathtaking coastlines with a photography getaway along the Suffolk coast and Devon's dramatic seascapes. Whether you're a seasoned photographer or a keen beginner, these guided breaks offer the perfect mix of stunning scenery, expert tips, and unforgettable moments to frame.

Strength and Endurance Challenges

7. High Ropes and Tree Top Challenge – Swing, climb, and balance your way through treetop obstacles that challenge your nerve, agility, and maybe even your core strength. Whether you’re tackling zip lines or wobbling across rope bridges, it’s a laughter-filled bonding experience, perfect for friends or family with a head for heights.

8. Rock Climbing – Get a grip (literally) as you scale natural rock faces or indoor climbing walls across the UK. It's a full-body workout that pushes your strength, focus, and bravery, plus, the views from the top are always worth the climb.

9. Caving – Step into the underground and explore a hidden world of twisting tunnels, ancient rock formations, and dark, echoing chambers. Guided caving experiences let you safely discover the UK’s incredible subterranean landscapes, and yes, you’ll get muddy.

10. Coasteering – Leap from sea cliffs, scramble over rocks, and ride the swell along the rugged coastline. This high-energy, splash-filled adventure is a wild mix of swimming, climbing, and cliff-jumping that’s as daring as it is exhilarating.

11. Ultimate Assault Course Challenge – Mud, sweat, and cheers, this is not your average run in the park. Tackle walls, crawl through tunnels, swing across water pits, and push your limits on a military-style assault course. It's the ultimate test of grit, teamwork, and how well you can handle being covered in mud from head to toe.

Sky-High Adventures

12. Skydiving – Leap from up to 15,000 feet and experience the ultimate adrenaline hit: 60 seconds of heart-racing freefall before your parachute kicks in. It’s wild, intense, and unforgettable. Not quite ready to jump? Indoor skydiving offers a thrilling (and less terrifying) way to get a taste of the sky.

13. Bungee Jumping – Step to the edge, take a deep breath, and dive into pure adrenaline. With only a bungee cord between you and the ground, expect a brief scream, a rush of regret, and then the exhilaration of bouncing back with your heart pounding and a grin you can’t shake off.

14. Hot Air Balloon Ride – Float above the world as the sun rises, casting golden light across fields, hills, or even city skylines. A hot air balloon ride offers a peaceful, dreamlike escape—just you, the breeze, and breathtaking 360° views from the sky.

15. Aerobatic Flights – Buckle in and hold tight—this flight is anything but smooth. Experience loops, rolls, and stomach-flipping dives in a high-performance stunt plane, piloted by experts who make the sky their playground. It's like a rollercoaster… but airborne.

16. Wing Walking – Not content with just flying in a plane? Try walking on one. Strap yourself to the top of a biplane and soar through the sky at up to 135 mph. It’s a high-octane bucket list item for only the boldest adventurers, because sky-high standing ovations are the best kind.

17. Spitfire Flights – Take to the skies in one of Britain’s most iconic warbirds and experience aviation history like never before. Feel the roar of the engine, the thrill of open skies, and the goosebumps as you soar in formation or loop through the clouds. It’s not just a flight, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime tribute to courage, speed, and timeless engineering.

High-Speed Adrenaline Filled Activities

18. Hovercraft Experience – It’s not quite a boat, not quite a car, and that’s exactly what makes it so epic. Skim over land and water, master tight spins, and feel like you’re piloting something out of a sci-fi film. Weird? Yes. Wildly fun? Absolutely.

19. Quad Biking – Tear through muddy trails, conquer uneven terrain, and spray dirt in every direction as you race through the great outdoors. Quad biking is all about controlled chaos and full-throttle fun, perfect for thrill-seekers who don’t mind getting a little filthy.

20. 4x4 Off-Road Driving Experience – Climb into a beast of a vehicle and tackle steep slopes, deep ruts, and muddy riverbeds like a pro. This is driving stripped back to the raw, rugged basics, no smooth roads, no rules, just you, the machine, and the mess.

21. Motorcycle Trials Course – Forget speed, this is about skill, balance, and control. Navigate a technical obstacle course on a trial bike, learning to tackle rocks, climbs, and tight turns with precision. It’s a unique challenge that’ll test your nerves more than your need for speed.

22. F1 Arcade – Step into the driver’s seat of a cutting-edge racing simulator and go head-to-head with friends (or rivals) on legendary F1 tracks. With realistic handling, sharp graphics, and leaderboard bragging rights on the line, it’s the closest you’ll get to being an F1 driver without the G-force.

23. Rally Driving – Buckle up and prepare to unleash your inner speed demon as you tear through gravel, mud, and hairpin bends in a purpose-built rally car. With expert coaching and no traffic rules in sight, rally driving is all about controlled chaos, adrenaline-fueled slides, and mastering the art of the drift.

Water Based Adventures:

24. Wild Swimming – Nothing screams "I’m living my best life" quite like plunging into freezing-cold water on purpose. Whether it’s a serene summer lake or a bracing winter dip that makes your soul (and toes) scream, wild swimming is a bold, invigorating adventure that leaves you feeling alive, and maybe slightly mad.

25. Inflatable Waterpark Experience – Here’s your chance. Bounce, scramble, and splash your way across a giant floating obstacle course where slipping, sliding, and ungraceful wipeouts are all part of the fun. Warning: your inner child will never want to leave.

26. Aqueduct Canoe Tour – Take your paddling game to new heights, literally. Canoe across a historic aqueduct suspended above the countryside and soak in the views (and the thrill). Just don’t overthink the fact that you’re floating in a narrow boat, high in the air… what could possibly go wrong?

27. Scuba Diving – Ever wanted to explore a whole other world beneath the surface? Scuba diving lets you do just that. Whether you're swimming through coral reefs or the surprisingly wild waters around the UK, it’s a surreal, awe-inspiring experience, complete with fishy side-eyes and the occasional photobombing crab.

28. Jet Skiing – Speed meets splash in this high-energy water adventure. Zoom across open water, leap over waves, and feel the spray as you channel your inner action movie hero. Jet skiing is fast, fun, and a guaranteed way to make your hair look ridiculous, but totally worth it.

29. Wakeboarding – Strap in, hold tight, and get ready to ride the wake like an absolute legend. Whether you're carving across calm waters or wiping out in glorious slow motion, wakeboarding is equal parts thrill and wipeout-worthy fun. Bonus points if you manage to stay upright on your first go.

Survival and Wild Challenges

30. Foraging Experience and Wild Food Walk – Step off the beaten path and into nature’s kitchen as you learn how to spot and safely gather wild herbs, berries, mushrooms, and more. There’s something deeply satisfying about sourcing your own food straight from the land, but make sure you know your edibles from your inedibles unless you're up for a surprise taste test you’ll never forget!

31. Beekeeping Experience – Suit up, stay calm, and step into the fascinating world of bees. This hands-on experience lets you get up close with these hardworking pollinators, learn the secrets of the hive, and maybe even score some fresh honey as a sweet takeaway. Trust us—it’s way cooler than it sounds.

32. Zombie Experience – Think survival course… with a terrifying twist. Test your instincts, aim, and nerves as you navigate through apocalyptic scenarios while dodging (or battling) a swarm of relentless zombies. It's heart-racing, chaotic, and just the right amount of ridiculous fun.

33. Paintballing Session – Ready, aim, splatter! Paintballing is the ultimate mix of strategy, speed, and adrenaline, whether you're charging into enemy territory or ducking behind cover while plotting your next move. Bonus points for the most epic battle scars (of the paint kind).

34. Bushcraft Day – Ditch the gadgets and reconnect with your primal side. Learn how to build shelters, light fires, forage for food, and survive in the wild with nothing but your wits and what nature provides. It’s part adventure, part survival skills, and all kinds of satisfying.

Unique Experiences

35. Classic Car Hire in Norfolk – Slide behind the wheel of a vintage beauty and cruise through the scenic Norfolk countryside in serious style. Whether it’s a retro convertible or a timeless classic, it’s your chance to live out that movie moment, windswept hair and all.

36. Drive Your Favourite Supercar – Ever wondered what it feels like to unleash a Ferrari, Lamborghini, or McLaren on the open road or racetrack? Time to find out. Buckle up for a high-octane ride where speed, power, and the roar of the engine combine into pure driving bliss.

37. Enjoy an Unusual Escape – Swap the ordinary for the extraordinary with a stay somewhere totally unexpected, like a shepherd's hut, camping pod or cosy nook. It’s a quirky twist on travel that’s perfect for making memories (and your friends jealous on Instagram).

38. Get Hands On With a Birds of Prey Experience – Stand face to face with majestic owls, hawks, and falcons in a truly unforgettable encounter. Learn how to handle and fly these incredible birds while discovering the art of falconry. Spoiler: It's not every day you get to wear a gauntlet and befriend a bird of prey.

39. Head Out Onto the Water for a Yacht Sailing Experience – Raise the sails, feel the wind on your face, and glide across the water like a seasoned skipper. Whether you’re learning the ropes or just relaxing on deck with a drink in hand, sailing offers that perfect mix of adventure and serenity.

40. Golf Days – Tee off against stunning backdrops at some of the UK’s top golf courses, where every swing comes with a view. Whether you're chasing the thrill of competition or simply soaking in the peaceful pace of an 18-hole round, our carefully curated Golf Days offer the perfect mix of challenge, camaraderie, and calm. It's more than a game, it’s a day well spent.

If you’ve been looking for some inspiration to spice up your 40 Before 40 bucket list, we hope these 40 adventures have given you that extra spark—and maybe even the nudge you needed to break free from your comfort zone. Whether it's an Outdoors Adventure, going sky high with a thrilling Flying Experience, or taking to the water on a thrilling Jet Skii Experience, now it's time to start checking them off!!