The Outdoor Expo 2023 - My Top 5 Highlights

What happens when you have amazing high-spec Jeeps, a fantastic roof tent and a ready-made adventure (or two) outlined for you to drive away and explore?   You get swamped by families at the Outdoor Expo!

This brilliant idea appears to be heading off at high speed (pardon the pun) and I can see why.   They launched the new service at the outdoor Expo and I think they are well on the way to being full for the summer. So check out their Instragam Pages or listing in the directory to explore an idea that the kids (and adults) will love and remember for years to come.

Talking to people face to face allows you to see and feel their passion for their subjects. Al was one of the first people I met at the Expo and what a pleasure it was to talk to him.

Combining your passions together will make a unique experience for adventures. Al has done that at Al Topping Photos & Film and has produced a unique day in the Lake District called the Lake District Portrait Experiences.

This winning combination turns any special life event into the memory of a lifetime - anniversaries, birthdays, engagements, family get-togethers and more!

Most guides miss out on this – they all create memories by Al captures them in stunning photographs for his clients.    

Check out their profile and I recommend you talk to them soon as they will book out quickly.

This is a genius idea. Kitup Adventures is the AirBnB for outdoor kit. If you are like me, and have a garage full of kit you no longer use, then you should look at Renting it out on Kitup.  

You have a spare room you can rent it on AirBnB.  You have spare kit you can rent it on Kitup.  Simple.

For Outdoor Activity Providers and Instructors, this is a great way to make the most of your kit and get your name out there.  If someone wants kit, then sometime soon, they may well want some instruction on how to get better at using it.

This new company is growing very fast – I had long discussions with the Co-founder and I think this will help a lot of members on this directory while also helping new adventurers start creating memories without spending a fortune on kit!

On a personal level I would probably put this one as my No. 1 and I have already had a number of discussions with the Youth Adventure Trust following the Expo. 

They help vulnerable young people from Wiltshire and Swindon aged 11-16 years old to unlock their potential and lead positive lives in the future.   They don’t just do an odd day here or there but have a structured 3 year program.

They are always looking for volunteers and are funded by donations. If you live in the area and can spare a few days a year or some of your change/profits, this looks like a great way to give back. 

I will see you there.

Slow Ways is an initiative to create a national network of walking routes connecting all of Great Britain’s towns and cities as well as thousands of villages.

It’s designed to make it easier for people to imagine, plan and go on walking journeys and there are currently over 8,000 Slow Ways stretching for over 120,000km. They are now looking for walkers to verify the routes and make suggestions to improve them.

I knew nothing about this before the Expo and have already been checking out the proposed routes (and suggested alternatives based on my walking and guiding experience in my area).