8 Ways to get Outside More this Spring

There’s no better season than spring for a bit of outdoor exploration.

Few things are prettier than spring blossoms, and it’s lovely to feel the sun on your skin after a dismal old winter. Not to mention that spending time outside is great for your health and wellbeing. Here are some ways to get yourself up off the sofa and into the great outdoors.

Take advantage of local green spaces

Parks, playing fields, towpaths, village greens – there’s no shortage of places you can go to drink in the fresh spring air and reconnect with nature. National Trust properties are also great for flowers, wildlife, and walks.

Go foraging

Want to get back to nature and fill your belly into the bargain? Foraging courses are becoming increasingly popular. Learn about the dos and don’ts of foraging, find edible plants, and pick up some great cooking tips. Just don’t go foraging without an experienced guide – you don’t want to eat the wrong thing and get sick!

Borrow a dog

If you’ve got your own dog, lucky you! Grab the lead and head out for some walkies. If you don’t have a dog, borrow a friend’s. There’s even an app which can match you with owners seeking dog walkers. Get out into nature and make a furry new friend at the same time.

Hop on a bike

Cycling is an amazing way to get out and get fit. Cycling will get you to places faster than walking, but will connect you with the outdoors far more than driving would. (You don’t have to wear the lycra if you don’t want to!)

Find a footpath

We’re very blessed in Britain by the number of ancient footpaths which criss-cross the countryside. Some are better signposted than others, but you should still be able to find a network of footpaths near you on an Ordnance Survey map. Footpaths are great for getting you into the heart of the countryside, and they often cut through some absolutely stunning scenery.

Join a green gym

The concept behind a Green Gym is pretty simple – get fit while helping the environment. Green Gym members undertake conservation tasks like digging gardens, cleaning up forests and that kind of thing. It’s healthy, it’s great for the planet, and it’s a brilliant way to meet new people. Find your nearest green gym here.

Pack a picnic

Make like the Famous Five, gather some mates and head off for a picnic. Sandwiches taste so much better when you’re eating them on a tartan rug.

Do some gardening

The easiest way to get outside is to step out into your own garden. Gardening is an amazing way to keep fit and enhance your personal environment. If you don’t have a garden, why not offer to tend somebody else’s? Even something as simple as a window box or hanging baskets can get you into the fresh air and brighten up your life.

It’s shaping up to be a beautiful season. We hope that you get a lot of sunny days for going outside and feeling the joys of spring!