Exploring the great outdoors with our influencers

There are over 140,000 miles of public footpaths across England and Wales alone  (the equivalent of travelling around the world six times). So it's no wonder that exploring the breathtaking landscapes of the UK has never been more exhilarating. At Thermos UK, we pride ourselves on helping everyday people to get out and get moving. Earlier this year, we celebrated our 120th anniversary by sponsoring 12 brave hikers who decided to push their bodies (and Thermos flasks) to the absolute limit by climbing mount everest in a feat of human endurance and thermostatic engineering. Today, we have embarked on another exciting journey, collaborating with influencers from across the UK to uncover some of the very best trails and hikes that this beautiful country has to offer. We hope that their stories and perspectives may inspire you to forge your own adventure, because there are no limits when you have your Thermos flask with you. 

@the.unlikely.adventurer, Mollie Charlton.

Hi, I'm Mollie, or @the.unlikely.adventurer, I love finding adventure in all aspects of life! Romanticising my morning coffee, crafting something or a 15 mile hike in the mountains! This has helped me push through the struggles I have faced, to find the good around me!

During the pandemic, adventures were a little limited so I had to get creative. We weren’t allowed to travel far, and as my partner is immunocompromised we really needed to be careful. After a few weeks of struggling mentally with not being able to see family, friends and limited outdoor time, I finally found my place. Ten minutes’ walk from my house is a nature reserve called Warmley Forest. A vast open stretch of hills with walkways to neighbouring fields. We would visit almost every day, sometimes coinciding with a cake stop at Warmley Bakehouse, and each time was different! We found different fields each time, stumbled upon gorgeous horses, and so many lovely wildflowers! I cannot put into words how much this place helped me during the pandemic, it gave me a place to be in nature safely. 

Now don’t get me wrong, travelling further afield now lockdown is definitely happening, I usually try and go somewhere different or experience a new place every weekend, I am definitely a weekend wanderer! But sometimes, when I need quieter time, or my health problems flare up and I can’t travel, it’s nice to take a little slower paced stroll round familiar paths. I found my place by googling nice walks near me, you could find your place just as easy. Have fun adventuring!

@theweekend.gypsies, Pia Santoro

Hi, we’re Justin and Pia @theweekend.gypsies, we absolutely love getting outdoors and getting away from the constant restraints of daily life. Now we understand that we must work to enjoy the things in life but we believe in finding that perfect balance. So whether that’s taking a local evening stroll after work to climbing the biggest mountains in the UK, we feel it’s important to embrace your urge to be in the great outdoors.

Hiking to us will always be something special, it’s a simple, primitive activity with huge benefits both physically and mentally. Some of the most amazing places we’ve seen have been reached by foot and there’s something that’s so rewarding: reaching a destination, having a hot cup of coffee and knowing you’ve accomplished something for the day. 

One of our favourite hikes in the uk was mount snowdon, for some reason we decided that February was a good time to embark on this freezing cold adventure! It was definitely one of the harder walks we had done in a while, by the time we had reached the top we could no longer feel our fingers. We couldn’t get down fast enough but once we did get back into our cosy van, popped our heater on full and enjoyed the victory of having climbed the UKs second highest mountain. We think that hiking is more than just beautiful views but also about overcoming internal struggles, when you’re just a few steps away and you feel like giving up but you somehow find the strength to keep going just so you can reach the summit. We can learn a lot about everyday life through hiking.

We live in the flattest region in the UK and we’re often blown away with what some people would merely refer to as a hill but to us, seeing rugged natural landscape of any sort is inspiring and captivating.

Whether you’re planning on doing 1 mile or 100, there’s a hike or walk out there for everyone to enjoy.

@pump.up.tha.gem, Gemma Marshall

Hey, I’m Gem @pump.up.tha.gem and I just LOVE the outdoors. But who doesn’t? Escaping into nature and feeling free is one of the best feelings!

For me being outdoors is a release from my daily routines and busy work days. It’s time to switch off and just breathe! I feel very lucky to live in the North West and have so many beautiful locations around me to paddle board, hike and camp.

Recently I have explored Devon for the first time and I wish I’d have done it sooner. On one of my days I embarked on a coastal/woodland hike and it was just magical with the most amazing views and wild flower meadows.

The 10km hike started from Hartland Quay following the South West Coastal Path, which led me to a gorgeous waterfall called Speke’s Mill Mouth. The waterfall plunges 157 feet from the edge of the cliffs to the rocky beach below. I continued to follow the route leading into the woodlands which then looped around through the wildflower meadows back towards the coast. I stopped at Blackpool beach for some lunch and explored the mini caves and rock pools, before heading back to the car park. For this adventure I packed my Thermos Icon Dual Lid Flask with a hot tea, this was perfect with my picnic lunch and I saved the rest for when I returned back to the car (I love that you can get multiple cuppa’s in one flask).

This hike has definitely got to be one of my favourites so far this summer, it had a little bit of everything. Lots of easy flat paths with high views of the coastline and beaches, along with a couple of hills and rocky points. There were plenty of signs too along the way, which were really helpful and informative. It was so much fun exploring new places and to top it off the weather was perfect and a lovely sunny day.

I would absolutely recommend this hike, it’s certainly one to add to your adventure list. Happy escaping into nature!

We’d love to hear about your Thermos stories and adventures! 

Whether you're an experienced hiker, or a novice who has just finished their first climb, let us know about it and how your Thermos flask performed. 

We’re thrilled to have partnered with these exciting explorers to show you that there are adventures everywhere, you just have to get out and find them. For those of you looking for inspiration, whether you're seeking tranquillity, adventure, or breathtaking views, these recommended spots may offer something special for everyone. So, grab your Thermos Flask, lace up your boots, and set out on your next walking adventure.

Thermos, pioneering since 1904.