These days, the world is teeming with all sorts of fantastic hobbies to dabble in.
In my opinion however, you really can’t beat the hobbies which encourage folk to get out in the Great Outdoors.
Good for mind, body and soul, spending quality time in the outside has always been incredibly cathartic for me. Plus, with an ever-growing repertoire of activities to get stuck into, today the outdoors is more accessible than ever before.
Having been a keen adventurer for most of my life, I thought it’d be worthwhile listing some of my go-to outdoor hobbies.
Trust me, try your hand at any of these and I’m positive you’ll be in for a fantastic time.
Interested? Then let’s get to it 👇👇
Best outdoor hobbies
Hiking
With this blog being titled The Walking Northerners, it’d be amiss if hiking wasn’t at the top of the list.
Requiring minimal equipment and an activity that doesn’t demand a high level of skill to get started, hiking is healthy, easy to pick up & can be enjoyed by pretty much everyone and anyone.
Most of all, I think my favourite thing about hiking is exploring hidden gems dotted around the landscape – some of the highlights being the Bleaklow Crash Site in the Peak District or the Secret Snowdonia Infinity Pool in Wales.
Camping
Without doubt, I feel most connected to the Great Outdoors when camping.
Far away from the city, relaxing in the quiet solitude of the countryside, there is simply no better way to switch off and get back in touch with nature.
While there are plenty of luxury camping & glamping sites out there, I usually prefer to find a back-to-basics campsite with minimal amenities to fully get immersed and plug out from modern amenities for a short while.
The UK landscape is jam packed with campsites to discover. Wherever you’re situated, you’re likely not far from one.
Some of the best places we’ve camped over the last few years would have to be: Buttermere Lake, Anglesey, Snowdon& the Kielder Forest. Be sure to click through if you want the full lowdown on our trips at these stunning spots.
Surfing
When conjuring up images of surfing, folks often picture the idyllic sandy shores of west-coast USA.
However, along the choppy UK shorelines you can also find some cracking surf spots which attract visitors from all across the globe.
Perhaps the most famous example is Fistrel Beach in Newquay. Celebrated as one of the most consistent and best surfing beaches in Europe, this Cornish gem holds famous yearly surf competitions such as Boardmasters Surf Championships & the National Surf Championships.
For northerners who want something a little closer to home, Saltburn By the Sea is another fantastic option, while those residing in the midlands or Wales can always head over to Rhosneigr beach in Anglesey for some exhilarating surf break.
With the ability to hire surf equipment & book beginner lessons from the nearby surf shacks, you also don’t need to worry about spending a fortune to get started. Perfect.
Mountain biking
While my dad is big into his road biking, I’ve always been more attracted to the trails.
A hobby which can be enjoyed solo or with a group of pals, competitively or just for pure enjoyment, simply strap on your helmet and away you go.
With countless trails to explore throughout our little island, one place I’d recommend is Kielder Forest.
Spanning over 600 kilometres of enchanted forest and 27 miles of glimmering shoreline, safe to say bikers are in no shortage of routes to explore.
The Lakeside Way is one of the most renowned trails in the area – a 27-mile loop around Kielder Water that guides you through some of the most picturesque segments of the forest.
With so many areas to race around however, it’s certainly worth spending multiple days here if possible, the best place to stay being the Kielder Forest Campsite. Be sure to read up on our latest trip here.
Photography
I don’t think I’ll ever tire of lacing up my boots, leaving the house and enjoying some outdoor photography.
While I’m by no means an expert in this field, me and my partner love snapping pictures for the blog whenever we’re out in nature.
Also a way to store memories to look back on in years to come, it’s always nice and rather nostalgic browsing through images of past adventures we’ve ticked off.
Some of the most picturesque spots we’ve visited in recent memory would have to be The Trinnacle in Greater Manchester & Simon’s Seat in the Yorkshire Dales.
Scrambling
For those who find hiking a little too tame, scrambling may just be the hobby for you.
Towing the fine line between a walk and a rock climb, a scramble falls short of a mountaineering expedition but certainly feels more precarious than your standard hill walk.
Rated in terms of grades, grade 2 & 3 often require specialist equipment & plenty of experience, but grade 1 scrambles don’t require any of the sort. All you need is a decent level of fitness, a head for heights and a pair of trusty walking boots.
The UK is full of iconic scrambles to discover, with some of the very best residing in the Lake District’s craggy landscape.
I’d say the scrambles most worth your time in National Park would be:
- Helvellyn via Striding Edge
- Pavey Ark via Jack’s Rake
- Blencathra via Sharp Edge
These white-knuckle scrambles will surely test your mettle and have your legs quaking, but the sense of achievement (and relief!) you feel once reaching the summit is unrivalled.
Warning – scrambling is a hazardous activity so safety is always paramount. Be sure to do your research & prepare accordingly before attempting a climb.
Wild swimming
Who needs to visit a swimming centre when we have innumerable breathtaking outdoor wild swimming spots hiding in the countryside?
Science is increasingly proving the benefits of cold water exposure. The buzz and sense of presence you feel in the water is like nothing else.
Some of the best wild swimming spots I’ve had the pleasure of visiting are the Watkins Path Waterfall in Snowdonia, Gaddings Dam in Yorskhire and Blea Tarn in the Lake District.
Fun fact – Funnily enough, Blea Tarn along with several other Lake District spots were used as filming locations for Netflix’s hit fantasy ‘The Witcher’. For the full lowdown, be sure to check out our Ultimate Witcher Filming Location guide!
Warning – Many open water spots are not safe and sometimes downright dangerous to swim in. Always research beforehand to ensure the water is safe. The Wild Open Water app is a quick and easy way to check for the best nearby wild swimming locations.
Outdoor cooking
For campers & lovers of the outdoors – why not try your hand at some outdoor cooking?
Weather permitting, it’s always wholesome enjoying some outdoor cooked food in the joys of nature with friends or family.
These days you can find plenty of portable grills and barbecues ranging from cheap to hefty.
For those who don’t to fork out for new cooking equipment however, there are also loads of simple food ideas you can conjure up by the campfire.
Foraging
Staying on the topic of food, foraging is perhaps the healthiest & most fun way you can find your grub!
Building up an appetite while you hunt for produce, you can’t get any fresher than what’s picked directly from mother nature.
Expert rummagers can often tell what’s what by giving things an eyeball, but for beginners you’ll really need a foraging handbook to inform you on what’s safe to eat.
A fun activity which proves particularly popular with families & kids, this hobby also expands your culinary knowledge and gives you a much greater appreciation of nature’s wonders.
Paddle boarding
For those who find surfing a little too extreme but still fancy venturing out onto the water, paddle boarding may be right up your street.
Tamer and more relaxed than its surfing counterpart, simply hop on a board and gently paddle along the tranquil waters, taking your time to enjoy the solitude and scenery.
One of the most picture-perfect paddle boarding spots we’ve come across has to be Llyn Padarn in Snowdonia National Park. Surrounded by awe-inspiring landscape and coming in at a whopping 240 acres, the hours will by fly by as you float along this gorgeous Welsh lake.
Trail running
In all honesty, I was never the biggest fan of running growing up.
Being made to jog around the school track countless times in P.E. probably didn’t help things, but I also struggled to see the appeal in running through the grey & dreary roads that made up my not-so-glamorous hometown.
Nevertheless, these perceptions quickly changed when I tried my hand at trail running.
Much more scenic than the roads and incredibly thrilling, there’s nothing quite like the buzz of darting your way through the Great Outdoors.
Navigating muddy forests, sandy shorelines, rocky hillsides, boggy moorlands & more, the variety of spectacular terrain always helps keep things fresh.
With so much to discover, as a trail runner the outdoors truly is your oyster. Pick a route, lace up those trail running shoes and away you go 🏃
Stargazing
Last but not least, stargazing is without doubt one of the most magical outdoor hobbies of all.
With numerous stargazing locations throughout Britain’s countryside, it’s striking to see how vibrant the night sky truly is once it’s unshrouded by the usual veneer of light pollution we’re so accustomed to in our day-to-day.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen the night sky so alive as during out visit to the Kielder Forest Observatory. Unmasked and bare to see, it was simply astounding to stare into the universe like never before. Words or pictures can’t do it justice, I honestly could have stood there all night.
More resources
A fan of outdoor adventure? Be sure to check out recent post on the Best UK Adventures for all the inspiration you need on your next outing!
Happy adventuring 🚶🚶