Sometimes when you’re lacking motivation, it can be really difficult to decide what you want to do. I’ve found that having a list of ideas can really help me pop my boots on and get out the door. Below are a mix of different suggestions, ranging from free to slightly on the pricier side, but all well worth trying out!
1. Visit Your Local National Trust
Over the last few years, joining the National Trust has opened me up to so many new places. As a member, you get free parking in all their car parks, which makes it a great option when you’re not sure what else do to.
Most of the car parks and properties are in picturesque locations with beautiful scenery and walks nearby. When I lived down in Cornwall, the National Trust Trevose Head was my go to spot when I wasn’t sure what to do with myself.
Being a member is also great for rainy days, as it gives you the option of visiting their properties for free. You can find out more about signing up on their website. You can of course still visit National Trust sites if you’re not a member, you will most often just need to pay for parking and an entry fee for gardens and properties.
2. Join a Group Walk
Joining a group walk is a great way to get outside and meet new people. If you sign up for something in advance, then it makes it much harder to drop out last minute.
I’ve found group walks really beneficial in exploring new places, meeting new people and helping to build my confidence. If you’re not too sure where to find local ones, instagram and facebook groups are a great place to start. There are a whole range of groups out there for all levels and abilities.
3. Go For a Bike Ride/ Hire a Bike
There are so many great trails for all kinds of biking across England. Whether you’re wanting cycle paths, woodland trails or extreme mountain biking routes – there’s something for everyone. Cycle paths are often not on roads, but you can check if a route is traffic-free and find your nearest one here.
I personally no longer own a bike, however there are plenty of places you can hire them from for a pretty reasonable price.
4. Go to the Highest Point in Your County
A great challenge and another way to explore what’s on your doorstep is trying to get to the highest point in your local area. If the highest point in the county is too far away, or a bit above your level of expertise, why not find out the highest point in your town or village. Make sure to stick to the paths and not trespass on private land and to use navigation if you’re in unfamiliar territory.
5. Garden Camp
As a child, this was one of my favourite things to do at the weekend, but it can still be fun as an adult. I got a new tent during lockdown and the first thing I did was camp out in my garden and cook my dinner outside on my stove.
If you’re a bit anxious about getting out camping, especially as the weather starts to get colder, this can be a great way to ease yourself in. There isn’t any planning needed and if the weather turns, or you start to get too cold, then you can just head back inside.
6. Find a New Local Route on Komoot
Komoot has been my go to app since I started hiking. One of the things I love the most about it is how easy it is to find routes. You can search a specific area and it will come up with routes other people have completed, including information on distance, approximate times, terrain, where to park and photos of highlights along the way. Nearly all of the routes I do now, are ones that I’ve found on komoot, or planned on the app myself.
I paid for access to the world maps, but you can get one map area for free, which is a great way to test it out and see if you like it, but also is a really easy way to explore your local area and discover new paths.
7. Go Forest Bathing
Forest bathing is a Japanese relaxation practice that encourages people to spend time in nature. The goal is to live in the present moment, whilst immersing your senses in the sights and sounds of the environment around you. It’s a very low impact activity, so is open to all ages and abilities.
Studies have shown that just spending 10-20 minutes outdoors a day can lead to increased well-being and happiness as well as decreased levels of stress. Forest bathing in particular has been found to lower blood pressure, heart rate and levels of stress hormones such as cortisol
Try turning off your phone so you can immerse yourself fully, moving through the forest slowly and allowing yourself to see and feel more. Stand or sit and take it what’s around you, what can you see and smell?
Not sure where your nearest forest is? Have a look on the Forestry England website. However it doesn’t have to be a forest, you could visit a nearby park, trail or head to the beach, the idea is to just be in any natural setting.
8. Join a Local Park Run
When I lived down in Reading, I went to the local Park Run pretty regularly. It’s a really great way to get up and out on a Saturday morning and being able to see all your times on the website can be really motivating. The best thing about it is that it’s free! Not fancy running? Why not sign up as a volunteer to help run the events. You can find your nearest Park Run location on their website.
9. Try Something New
Ever been caving? Bouldering? Gorge walking? Paddleboarding? Tried Go Ape? There are so many different outdoor activities out there to have a go at and 1000’s of places across the country that are fully equiped to get you trying them safely.
Some of my favourite experiences over the past few years include:
- Go Ape: I’ve done Go Ape 3 or 4 times now in different locations and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it every time! There are options for all ages and ability levels, so it’s a great day out for the whole family. Check out their website to find your nearest location.
- Cornwall Underground: Back when I was living in Cornwall I booked onto an extreme mining adventure with Cornwall Underground, which I couldn’t recommend this highly enough. You can read more about my experience on my previous post. There is also a less extreme option available that’s only half a day rather than the full day.
- White Water Rafting: This is something I’ve wanted to try for so long and I finally got the opportunity back in October with Lake district White Water Rafting. The experience started at Fell Foot car park on Windermere and was an absolute blast. There are also changing rooms and hot showers on site for warming up afterwards.
10. Geocaching
Geocaching is a pretty fun way to explore the outdoors! Using the app, you use navigational techniques to hike and seek hidden containers. All you need to do is create a free account, use the app to navigate to a geocache nearby and then sign and date the logbook once you’ve found it. Fancing giving it a go? You can find out how to get started on their website.
Hopefully some of these ideas have inspired you to get outside over the next few days. If so, let me know in comments what you got up to, or tag me in your photos! If you have any other suggestions of things to try then share them below.
Happy adventuring x
Lisa Outdoors 
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