Outdoor Exploring Family Blog
Welcome to our blog. This is where we share real adventures, gentle walks, family days out, and the little things that help us feel better outdoors. From hidden gems and seasonal events to mindset moments and gear we genuinely use, everything here comes from our own experiences exploring the UK together. Take your time, have a browse, and hopefully you’ll find something that inspires your next adventure.
North East Family Days Out
A collection of our favourite free outdoor adventures across the North East. From ancient woodland and waterfalls to abbey ruins and riverside walks, these are the simple days out that stay with you long after you’ve headed home.
Discovering Derwent Water and Friars Crag
Derwent Water is one of our favourite Lake District spots, with gentle lakeside walks, boat trips, and views towards Catbells. This post shares why Friars Crag feels so peaceful, what you can expect when visiting, and how to enjoy this area at your own pace.
Low Force Waterfall
A short and scenic Teesdale walk perfect for little legs and dogs alike. This post covers where to park, what you’ll spot along the riverside trail, and why Low Force remains one of our favourite easy waterfall adventures for a gentle escape into nature.
Summerhill Force and Gibson’s Cave
A magical Bowlees walk with a big reward at the end. We share how to reach this hidden Teesdale waterfall, what makes Gibson’s Cave so special, and why this short family friendly route is packed with wonder despite being easy to access.
A Magical Day in Ambleside
From lantern parades and Christmas lights to cosy cafés and fireworks, our festive day in Ambleside was full of special moments. This blog shares what the day was really like, where we wandered, what we ate, and why it became one of our favourite family memories of the year.
The Bowes Museum
One of our favourite relaxed family days out, combining culture with open space. From hands on exhibitions and a lovely café to outdoor grounds and play areas, this guide explains why The Bowes Museum is such an easy place to spend a few calm hours together.
Colania Dene Lodges
After several lovely holidays here, we’ve built up a list of favourite places nearby. This guide shares our tried and tested recommendations around the Scottish Borders, complete with postcodes and driving times, to help you plan your own relaxed family adventures.
Looking for a Little Extra Calm
We talk honestly about anxiety and how we manage it alongside getting outdoors. In this post we share our experience with Trip Drinks, lightly sparkling drinks designed to support calm, balance and focus, plus how they’ve quietly become part of our daily routine.
How to Use a Map and Compass Made Easy
A simple beginner friendly guide to map reading and compass skills, including fun ways to practise with kids. Learn how to match the map to what you see, choose the right paths, and build confidence on walks using woodland trails you already know.
We started using Huel around the same time we turned to nature to help with anxiety. This post shares how combining the two changed our routine, from morning Daily Greens to hilltop lunches, plus our exclusive discount code.
£10 Off Huel with Outdoor Exploring Family
Huel comes with us on so many adventures, from Daily Greens in the morning to Hot & Savoury beside waterfalls. Here we share how we use it outdoors, why it works for busy family life, and how you can get £10 off your first order.
Tried and Tested Huel Lite Review
We put Huel Lite to the test on hikes and busy days. Here’s our honest review covering taste, texture, ingredients, and why it’s become our go to lighter option for outdoor adventures.
Huel Black Friday Deals
The biggest Huel sale of the year is live, with 15% off Daily Greens, Hot & Savoury, Lite shakes and Ready to Drink. We’ve put together a simple guide showing the products we use most as an outdoor loving family, plus everything you need to know about the offer in one easy place.
Water to Go Bottle Review
Do Water to Go bottles really live up to the hype? We share our honest experience using them on walks and adventures, including how they fit into our outdoor routine and whether they’re worth adding to your kit.
How a Tiny Spoonful of Orange Magic Changed Our Mornings
We tried Vivo Life’s B12 liquid and were surprised by the results. This post shares our experience adding just 1ml a day to our routine, how it made us feel, and why it’s become part of our family mornings.
Promixx Electric Shaker Review and Discount Code
Lumpy protein shakes used to be part of outdoor days until we tried the Promixx electric shaker. In this post we share our honest experience using it with Huel and homemade shakes, why the vortex mixing system impressed us, and how Outdoor Exploring Family readers can get 10% off with our exclusive discount code.
Thanks for exploring with us
Everything you’ll find on this blog comes from our own family adventures across the UK, from Lake District walks and Teesdale waterfalls to North East days out and quiet places to reset your head. We share honest guides, real experiences, and the outdoor gear we genuinely use, with the aim of helping you discover new places and enjoy more time in nature.
We’re always adding new walks, destinations, and outdoor stories, so feel free to check back whenever you’re planning your next adventure or just need a little outdoor inspiration.