Get outdoors more in 2024
Get outdoors more in 2024
How lucky are we to have such an amazing backyard to play in? The scenery—walks, fells, coast, and lakes—are all within easy reach wherever you are in Cumbria.
In this edition of the magazine, we have included a few stories and features that orbit around one particular subject: the Great Outdoors.
This is because there is no better time to make one big, fat resolution that is good for the mind, body, and soul. Go out and play more!
Whether you’re six or sixty, being outside is the perfect way to lift those January blues, and there’s lots to do and see when you simply open the door and step outside.
If you’ve flicked through this magazine, you will have noticed that we have two great stories that are both inspiring and exciting and revolve around our landscape and all it has to offer.
Seven-year-old Frankie McMillan climbs mountains for fun and has recently set up a YouTube channel to encourage other children to get out and explore their surroundings too. If you have children, this is the perfect way to show them what to expect and maybe get them geared up to go hiking. We have also included another of the Tale Trails maps, which is a fun and imaginative way to be out and about with your little wildlings.
Getting out with your children is not only good for them physically, but it’s also an opportunity to bond, make memories, and play together without the distractions of life getting in the way.
We have also put the spotlight on a new all-round walking adventure that is The Lakeland Way. This is a perfect way to spend a couple of weeks traipsing through the county, whatever the season, or complete it in sections. At your own pace and leisure, something to tick off during the winter months gives you something to look forward to each weekend.
You will get the opportunity to explore some of the gorgeous valleys and peaks across the Lake District, which is a great challenge and accomplishment for anyone who completes it.
Photo by Piotr Witkowski
If walking really isn’t your thing, there are lots of other ways to be outside and still be active and healthy.
Beachcombing is a hobby that is not only free but can also give lots back, from sea glass to shells to pottery, and if you’re really lucky, the odd gem stone or fossil.
Another hobby that might appeal to you if you liked treasure hunting as a child is metal detecting. Metal detecting is a hobby that can be hugely satisfying. All you need is a machine, a pin pointer, a shovel, and, of course, permission to detect the land you’re on. You don’t need to spend thousands of pounds on expensive gear either; decent machines are going for less than £200, which is great for beginners. From ancient coins to Bronze Age gold, it’s all there in the ground; you just have to walk over it!
There are lots of ways to enjoy the outdoors, and when you live somewhere like Cumbria, there’s really no excuse to not get out and get some fresh air. The more you explore, the better you feel. It’s a big playground out there. So go play!
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