Seven ways to recharge yourself outdoors as a member

The outdoors is out there waiting for you, full of rugged mountains, quiet lakes, rolling countryside and calming coastline. You will feel more energised, uplifted and refreshed from a healthy dose of outdoor sights, sounds and smells. Here are seven reasons why joining the National Trust and heading outside to stunning new places could refresh your body and mind.

1. Change your horizons 

Open up your horizons by exploring further afield. Big views can give you a new perspective on everyday life. So why not explore lofty mountains like the Brecon Beacons, stare across the panoramas of the Peak District, or stride through the dramatic setting of Cheddar Gorge.

2. Escape the daily grind

How about heading somewhere a little more wild? Climbing Kinder Scout or Cader Idris may require a fair bit of effort, but that’s more than made up for by the feeling of truly getting away from it all when you make it to the top.

3. Make new wild friends

From seals on the Welsh coast and rare butterflies in Somerset, to wild deer in North Yorkshire and red squirrels in the Lake District, a little bit of animal spotting can really get you and the family closer to nature. With a wide range of wildlife to satisfy the keenest nature lover, and free parking for members at lots of places too you can go really wild.

4. Start a new cycle

Give your health a boost at National Trust places as you whizz along on two wheels. There are miles of cycle routes waiting to be explored, so get off the beaten track and on to one of these instead: try Longshaw in Derbyshire with views across the Hope Valley, or a coastal ride at Mortehoe in Devon. Pedal-powered adventures are great way to explore the outdoors.

5. Stir up your senses

Nature has some incredible ways to make your senses feel alive and refreshed. Lose yourself in the earthy smell of a forest floor like Hatfield or the exhilarating sound of the waves at Blakeney Point. Gaze at the colours in the Stourhead landscape or simply stop for a piece of cake in one of our cafés. As a member, you’d be helping us to safeguard these places for future generations to experience.

6. Feel exhilarated

Running outside allows you to enjoy a constantly changing landscape as the backdrop to your fitness endeavours. So why not try something a bit different and join a Park Run or Night Run at a National Trust place? Running somewhere new and beautiful can really energise you (and your running routine).

7. Find tranquility in nature

Calm your busy mind with nature’s help. Discover carpets of fallen leaves in quiet, mysterious woods, silent mists settling over fields or fresh snowfall on wide open landscapes. Enjoy the peaceful moments while you take in the brilliance of the season.