‘I don’t know what I’d have done without it’: the hobbies helping people through lockdown
From stiles to greetings cards, map-making to whittling, niche interests have become a lifeline for people struggling through successive lockdowns
How intention turns a walk into a pilgrimage – plus 5 British pilgrim trails
The co-author of a book on Britain’s pilgrimages reveals the benefits of structuring a walk around a purpose that is ‘determined by your heart’
Semi-solo hiking brings me the gift of time alone, and the joy of reuniting
Needing solitude in lockdown but wanting her partner’s presence, our writer came up with the idea of taking opposite walking routes
15 wellbeing retreats and detox breaks – for better days ahead
Retreats will help restore mind and body once Covid restrictions ease. Our UK and Europe picks hope to accept visitors again come spring
Reboot camp: 15 virtual wellbeing retreats for 2021
Start the new year with this inspiring choice of online health breaks – some beamed from France, Italy, Spain and India, as well as from the UK
How I beat burnout with trips to remote Scottish islands
For this hospital doctor, the purity of the Hebrides and Orkney brings the solace he needs to carry on his busy city profession
The BAME women making the outdoors more inclusive
The British countryside remains a distinctly white and often intimidating place for BAME communities. We interview three outdoor enthusiasts seeking to address this lack of diversity
My favourite place among the trees
Naturalists, campaigners and other contributors to a new book pick the woodlands they love for views, history and magic
Learning to draw in the natural world brings joy – especially in lockdown
You don’t have to be good at art to enjoy the mood-enhancing benefits of nature sketching, as our writer finds out on an artist-guided session in London’s Epping Forest
My favourite tree: readers’ travel tips
Our love of trees, and the solace they have brought this year, shines brightly in this pick spanning England and Wales
The meaning of leaf: an autumnal tour of England’s arboretums
Planted by specimen collectors in the 18th and 19th centuries, arboretums are a ‘living library of trees’ that have become an invaluable public resource for recreation and education
Into the night: why walking in the dark is good for the soul
Shorter days don’t have to put a stop to walking trips, as our writer finds on a night-time ramble on the South Downs
Blaze of glory: 20 of the best autumn gardens in the UK
For fiery beech trees and golden ferns, savour the changing seasons at these glorious gardens
The Devon cabins so cosy you might want to take one home
With wild Dartmoor and coastal walks nearby, these woodland dens offer an idyllic off-grid escape
Buxton Crescent review: the grand old spa and hotel comes back to life
It’s taken 17 years and £70m to restore this architectural gem on the edge of the Peak District to its former glory. Has it been worth the wait?