From surfing and sailing to pottery, gin making and wildlife conservation, Harbour Hotels is encouraging guests to return home with more than just memories.
The way people travel is changing.
While sunshine and sightseeing remain popular, many travellers now want holidays that leave a lasting impact. Instead of collecting souvenirs, they want to learn a new skill, discover local traditions and experience destinations in a more meaningful way.
This growing trend, known as the ‘skillcation’, is shaping the future of travel. In response, UK luxury hotel group Harbour Hotels has launched a collection of immersive experiences across its coastal destinations. Guests can now enjoy activities led by local experts, artisans and producers while exploring some of Britain’s most spectacular coastlines.
Mike Warren, CEO of Harbour Hotels, said:
“Luxury travel today is no longer just about where you stay. It’s about what you experience while you’re there. We’re seeing more guests looking to return home having learnt something new, whether that’s riding their first wave, discovering a traditional craft or understanding the story behind a local producer. By connecting guests with exceptional local experts and experiences across our destinations, we’re able to create moments that feel authentic, memorable and deeply rooted in place.”
Learn to Surf Along Cornwall’s Coast
For many visitors, no trip to Cornwall is complete without getting in the water.
Guests staying at Harbour Hotel St Ives can take lessons with the renowned St Ives Surf School. Beginners can learn the fundamentals, while experienced surfers can build confidence and refine their technique against one of Britain’s best-loved coastal backdrops.
Meanwhile, guests at Harbour Hotel Padstow can choose from several leading surf schools, including Wavehunters, Surf’s Up School in Polzeath and Harlyn Surf School. Many also offer paddleboarding and coasteering, giving visitors another way to explore Cornwall’s coastline.
Discover Life on the Water
Harbour Hotels also offers plenty of opportunities for guests who want to build their confidence on the water.
At Harbour Hotel Salcombe, visitors can enjoy traditional dinghy sailing lessons, powerboat courses, private boat tours and coasteering adventures. These experiences showcase Devon’s rich maritime heritage while introducing guests to hidden coves and secluded beaches.
Nearby, Harbour Hotel Fowey offers RYA-certified sailing tuition and powerboat training on the Fowey Estuary.
Further east, Harbour Hotel Christchurch provides easy access to kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing and windsurfing across Christchurch Harbour.
Explore Britain’s Creative Heritage
Creative experiences are becoming an increasingly popular part of experience-led travel.
Guests staying at Harbour Hotel St Ives can visit the famous Leach Pottery and learn traditional ceramic techniques in the studio founded by Bernard Leach, often described as the father of British studio pottery.
Meanwhile, Harbour Hotel Fowey connects visitors with Cornwall’s creative community through private jewellery-making workshops and traditional lino-cut printing sessions. Guests leave with both a handmade keepsake and a new skill.
Experience Local Food and Drink
Learning doesn’t stop with arts and crafts.
Across Cornwall and Devon, Harbour Hotels has partnered with local distilleries to offer immersive drinks experiences.
Guests staying at Harbour Hotel St Ives and Harbour Hotel Padstow can discover the story behind Tarquin’s Cornish Gin while learning about the botanicals and craftsmanship behind one of Britain’s best-known craft spirits.
Meanwhile, Harbour Hotel Salcombe offers gin and rum experiences at Salcombe Distilling Co. Guests staying at Harbour Hotel Fowey can also take part in hands-on gin and vodka masterclasses at Colwith Farm Distillery before creating their own signature serve.
Wine lovers can complete the experience with a guided tour and tasting at Camel Valley Vineyard, one of England’s leading wine producers.
Connect with Nature
Many of Harbour Hotels’ experiences encourage guests to discover Britain’s coastline in a different way.
Visitors staying in Padstow can join wildlife boat safaris to spot seals, seabirds and other marine life. They can also visit the National Lobster Hatchery to learn about conservation projects that help protect Britain’s native lobster population.
Elsewhere, guests can fulfil a childhood ambition by learning to drive a historic steam locomotive at Bodmin Railway.
Golf enthusiasts can also enjoy championship courses at St Enodoc Golf Club and Trevose Golf Club, both famous for their spectacular coastal settings.
Challenge Yourself or Slow the Pace
Not every skillcation needs to be adrenaline-fuelled.
At Harbour Hotel Christchurch, guests can try archery, axe throwing, bushcraft and clay pigeon shooting in the New Forest.
Alternatively, Harbour Hotel Padstow offers guided wellness workshops and relaxing beachside sauna experiences overlooking the Cornish coastline.
Whether guests want to push themselves or simply unwind, the aim is the same: to create memorable experiences that last long after the holiday ends.
Experience-Led Travel Continues to Grow
The rise of the skillcation reflects a wider change in the way people travel.
Increasingly, travellers are looking for holidays that feel authentic, immersive and memorable. Learning a new skill adds another dimension to a trip while creating stronger connections with local communities and businesses.
By working with local instructors, artisans and producers, Harbour Hotels is responding to this shift. Rather than simply offering luxury accommodation, the hotel group is giving guests the opportunity to experience Britain’s coastline through the people who know it best.
Blue Mind may have highlighted the growing demand for wellness travel, but the rise of the skillcation shows that travellers also want holidays that inspire, educate and create lasting memories.
For Harbour Hotels, the message is simple: the best souvenir you can take home is a new skill.