The Outdoors Station

The landscape of our islands is constantly changing. We tend to think we notice changes…houses, roads, wind turbines, but some changes are more subtle, as the countryside and its use over centuries becomes modified and eased into a developing world. With his farming background, and more recent career as an outdoor writer, Mark Richards is uniquely placed to discuss how we can interpret these chang...

Tony Howard and Di Taylor have been climbing and trekking in the mountains of North Africa and the Middle East for well over 30 years. In 1984 they discovered the climbing and trekking area of Wadi Rum, and wrote the guidebooks to that area. They return to Jordan every year and their discoveries reveal an unexpected land of forested hills, dales carpeted in flowers, huge canyons sometimes with fas...

The John Muir Trail is a spectacular trek through California’s High Sierra from Yosemite (El Capitan and Half-Dome) to Mount Witney, highest peak in the continental US. The 216 mile route can be comfortably fitted into a three-week holiday, but planning and preparation is critical as Ronald Turnbull will tell you – tune in to find out more, then get the Cicerone guidebook and off you go! Please jo...

We finally find the winner of the fab Canon G9 Camera competition, meet the UK's only wooden kayak maker, talk to Mark Richards about his new book Mountain Walks in the Lakes and here about the Charity Community Action in Nepal. Please join our newsletter and follow us on our socials > https://linktr.ee/the_outdoors_station

A great podzine for you this week with an extended deadline on the competition. We speak with Catherine Whitehead from Paramo who are committed to ethical production, also to Andy Rouse to hear about the lifestyle of a wildlife photographer and to John Penny from Canon Uk, who has given us a fantastic G9 as a prize for this week's show!! Please join our newsletter and follow us on our socials >...

Scotland and outdoor activities seem to have been made for each other. With so much choice, it’s sometimes hard to decide where to go for your walking adventure. Here we talk to Ronald Turnbull, whose extensive knowledge of the best walking regions in Scotland is brought together in (currently) two guidebooks to the ranges near Ben Nevis and Glencoe, and the Cairngorms in the East. Please join our...

Ronald Turnbull is an outdoor writer with a difference! His boundless knowledge, quirky writing style and boyish sense of fun in the outdoors are all brought together in ‘The book of the Bivvy’. Here we hear from the man himself, with tips on bivvying in the rain, ideas for great trips, and the sheer pleasure of being on the hills for hours before (and after) the crowds have descended to the town...

Paddy is a prolific outdoor writer with over 30 books to his name. Brought up in the Pennines, Paddy’s love of walking quickly translated into a career as a writer. Here he describes how he actually goes about preparing information for one of his many guide books. He also explains how his life as an outdoor writer is highly organized so as to maximize opportunities throughout the year. Please join...

Certainly a less well-known long-distance route, but one which captures everything that a good trail should have. The River Ribble springs from the limestone of the Yorkshire Dales, high on Cam Fell in the heart of Three Peak country. The 70-mile route is ideal for those new to trekking, with plentiful accommodation and sights of interest on the way. Please join our newsletter and follow us on our...

Cycle touring need not be the sole reserve of the fit, lean ‘Tour de France’ cyclist, or even the club cyclist. In this podcast we hear from Jon Sparks about how to get started, just what level of ability you really do need, and some of the delights of moving through the countryside at a pace which combines a reasonable rate of progress with time to enjoy your surroundings to the full. Please join...

It's Springtime, although it may not feel it, and many walkers are recognizing new growth in the hedgerow as the green shoots of new life poke through. We know there is much which can be harvested to add a zing to our plate, but which plant and what does it taste like? So Rose and I join Diana Bateman once again on a gourmet hedgerow walk, to find things which not only are edible, but taste great....

In this weeks show we find out about the new 2008 Lowepro rucksacks designed specifically for hiking photographers, catch up with the facts about the ever increasing encroachment of the tick and hear about the Uk's first diploma in Adventure Sports. Plus we announce the winner of last weeks competition and set this weeks challenge. Please join our newsletter and follow us on our socials > https...

Lets get out and about in this podcast recorded at this year's Outdoors Show at the NEC. For social inspiration and suggestions of groups to contact, why not try the Ramblers Association, who have members of all ages. Perhaps the John Muir Trust could do with your help? For younger female outdoor enthusiasts there always the Guiding Association. Show sponsors, Ordinance Survey explain their new fr...

More from this year's Outdoors Show at the NEC and a podcast dedicated to the wonderful subject of gear! We hear what is coming soon from Alpkit, all about the Freeloader charger from Solar Technologies, have a clothing update from Montane, catch up with Sam from Shewee, understand more about Pacer Poles and speak to a man standing in a bucket of water! Diverse or what? Please join our newsletter...

In this environmentally friendly Podzine we chat with the original hippy celebrity cafe owner Pete Norton in Snowdon, catch up with John Hee one of the main organisers behind the Wild Camping campaign and discuss the recycling ethics within the tent industry with Andy Ayers from Green Outdoor. Plus announce the winner of last weeks camera competition and set this week's challenge. Please join our...

We are happy to be supporting this new water filtration and purification bottle from Drinksafe Systems. The Aquagear Survivor is the lightest proven system in the world. Following extensive tests with incredible results, this affordable, light, flexible bottle will solve all the dilemmas you've ever had, when wondering if your available drinking water is safe. Perfect for the hiker, cyclist, kayak...

In this weeks Podzine, we hear about some great new cameras by Olympus especially made for the outdoors person, talk with a 'get away from it all' bed and breakfast in British Columbia run by a British couple and discuss rights of way and access issues with the British House Society. Plus of course our diary section and a fantastic new competition. Please join our newsletter and follow us on our s...

If you've always been enthralled by the Ray Mears TV series, then you might have wondered what it would be like to go on a bushcraft weekend as a novice. Join us then on this podcast, as I share a weekend induction course deep in the woods, in the heart of Wiltshire. Please join our newsletter and follow us on our socials > https://linktr.ee/the_outdoors_station

This show is all about getting back to basics and so we speak with Simon Ellar editor of Bushcraft Magazine about how the interest in bushcraft is gaining increased participation from those who enjoy other outdoor pastimes. Then continuing on the mixed interest theme of todays show, we hear from Ed Bassett from EB Adventures and to Wayne Jones of Forest Knights. Plus diary news, and a great new co...

Seeking inspiration where to go hiking this year within the UK and Ireland? Then have a listen to this, as Andy Howell chats to four specific destinations who try to pursued him (and us) to sample their features. An interesting podcast full of ideas and enthusiasm of those who are proud of, and love their part of the world. Andy does Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland! Enjoy!! Please join our ne...

The first of our series of compilation interviews recorded at The OS Outdoors Show 2008. Andy Howell meets the 'outdoor bloggers' at their second annual gathering. Where else but on Saturday lunchtime, in the bar, with a drink in hand! Please join our newsletter and follow us on our socials > https://linktr.ee/the_outdoors_station

A real smorgasbord of a show for you this week! Get trendy with a Slackline (and win one too!), find out about being a jolly swagman, consider the benefits of joining the Open Canoe Association, understand more about wildlife, trapping and pest control and find true outdoor romance!! Enjoy!! Please join our newsletter and follow us on our socials > https://linktr.ee/the_outdoors_station

Richard Harding is a commuter. His chosen mode of transport is the ever green bicycle. His current work in the UK hi tech industry is coming to an end and, as one might expect, he's decided to commute home. Nothing unusual in that, except that 'home' is now in New Zealand and starting at the end of March he's trying to be home for Christmas! Please join our newsletter and follow us on our socials...

Back from 2008 OS Outdoors Show at the NEC we sample some of the atmosphere and bring you the finalists from the Alpkit Colab competition plus comments from several folks who visited the show. Andy and I give our round up thoughts at the conclusion of the event and there's a goody bag full of interesting items to be won. Loads of interviews gathered at the show and much more coming in the next few...

Opened in 1965, the Pennine Way was Britain’s first national trail. Since then another 14 have been designated in England and Wales, with a further 4 in Scotland. Together they cover well over 5000 kilometres each one with unique qualities which explore the rich, scenic and historic countryside of Britain. Paddy Dillon has walked all the trails – twice! Here he talks about his love of the routes a...