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Go on a journey around the UK with six inspiring individuals who share a passion for immersing in nature
On the road
Join us as we spend a day in the life of our six nature-driven explorers....
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Be inspired! Rediscover the outdoors with Vauxhall's All Electric Range
From wild swimming along the south coast and allotment-style living in Surrey to hiking across the Yorkshire dales and immersing in Manchester's creative community, we follow six inspirational individuals as they share their life-affirming methods of recharging and reconnecting with the Great British outdoors...
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Discover
Hiking with James Forrest
Upcycling with Dom Hadley
Foraging with Fern Freud
Wild swimming with Tommy
Brady
Grow
your own with Ashley Nwokorie
Nature-seeking with Aylsa Hopps
PARTNER CONTENT
Sustainable Foraging in Studland Bay, Dorset
Get closer to nature and learn how to live off the land as you gather cooking ingredients from the sea and shoreline of Studland Bay in Dorset. The Fore Adventure sea school has day-long crash courses in the art of foraging, teaching you how to find everything from crabs and cockles to edible plants and seaweeds. You travel by kayak to the creeks and islands around the bay, before bringing all your freshly-foraged ingredients together in the evening for a feast on the beach.
Award-winning boutique Brighton stay - Fully refundable
Award-winning dining and quirky decor at a boutique Brighton bolthole
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Pay your late fees at Chetham's Library
Chetham’s Library is the oldest public library in Britain, having first opened in 1653. The building is even older, and the unique atmosphere is steeped in history. Rows of ancient tomes sit chained to their cases, a common sight before the advent of library cards. Here, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels worked tirelessly to develop their economic theories, and the books they checked out are on display to this day. The experience is mesmerising and equally beautiful; just don’t forget to return your books at the end.
Foraging with Fern
Freud
Grow
your own with Ashley
Nwokorie
Upcycling with Dom
Hadley
Elegant 5* London stay in Westminster - Fully refundable
Luxurious five-star London life near Hyde Park
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Elegant Manchester hotel with award-winning restaurant - Fully refundable
Modern hotel on the outskirts of Leeds with AA Rosette restaurant
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Dom Hadley goes on a sustainable style-venture in Manchester
UPCYCLING
Fashion upcycler and thrifter Dom is passionate about creating sustainable, ‘slow’ fashion using vintage items to create new, innovative and impactful designs, with all the quality and craftsmanship of the original garment. Via his label Payday Vintage, he sources vintage clothing and works with creatives around Manchester to refashion it into new pieces.
Wild swimming with Tommy Brady
Allotmenteer and mother-of-two Ashley Nowokorie on growing her own produce
GROWING YOUR OWN
Having dreamt of having her own garden for years, Ashley started an allotment near her Surrey home before the pandemic struck. Join her to hear about her journey to successfully growing everything from pumpkins to berries, as Ashley shares the key to an affordable and sustainable fruit and vegetable garden.
Olympian Tommy Brady enjoys wild swimming on the Jurassic Coast
WILD SWIMMING
A former Team GB canoeing slalom champion, Tommy Brady spent eight successful years representing Great Britain at the Olympics, but had to leave the elite sport due to an injury in 2015. Since then he has reconnected to the water through wild swimming and free diving which he says recharges him like nothing else.
Environmentally-friendly foodie Fern Freud goes sea-foraging in Sussex
FORAGING
As an eco-conscious food lover running foraging walks, and creating wild and seasonal recipes, Fern loves connecting and communing with nature, and enjoying outdoor eating experiences that bring people together, and closer to the world around us.
Nature-seeking
with Aylsa
Hopps
Hiking
with James
Forrest
Upcycling with Dom
Hadley
Environmentally-friendly foodie Fern Freud goes sea-foraging in Sussex
FORAGING
As an eco-conscious food lover running foraging walks, and creating wild and seasonal recipes, Fern loves connecting and communing with nature, and enjoying outdoor eating experiences that bring people together, and closer to the world around us.
Florist Aylsa Hopps enjoys the beauty of nature in Durham
NATURE-SEEKING
Aylsa who runs the popular @hoppshouse Instagram is passionate about interiors, floristry, home renovation projects and sharing family life. She creates beautiful, lasting dried flower bouquets and creations that are kinder to the environment via her business Hopps and Bloom, and loves getting out and about in nature with her partner and kids and enjoying the wonderful outdoors.
Hiker James Forrest shares his favourite Lake District climbs
HIKING
Otherwise known as Mountain Man, record-breaking adventurer James is a hiker and author best known for climbing all 1,001 mountains across the UK and Ireland in the fastest known time, covering over 5000 kilometres and sleeping under the stars for 100 nights. Passionate about the benefits of getting active outdoors, he is also driven by a desire to protect and preserve the beautiful English landscape.
Immerse yourself in Jupiter Artland
The expansive grounds of the Bonnington House estate, just outside of Edinburgh, make for an immersive art-world experience. Inspired by Ian Hamilton Finlay’s Little Sparta, this wondrous sculpture park features vast works that disrupt the provincial landscape. Discover dazzling works by Antony Gormley, Anish Kapoor and more, dotting the grounds and hiding in the woodlands and making the best of their remarkable setting.
Stargazing in the Yorkshire Dales
By day the Yorkshire Dales National Park is a grassy wonderland of sweeping landscapes and rolling hills; by night it plays host to a glimmering sky of soul-stirring constellations. As the sun begins to set over the heather moorlands, take a hike to one of the park’s star discovery sites - the Hawes centre, Malham centre, the Buckden car park, or the Tan Hill Inn, otherwise known as the ‘highest pub in Britain’ - where the high-altitude, open landscapes provide spine-tingling panoramic views of the Northern Hemisphere.
Delight at Robin Hood’s Bay
Yorkshire’s coastline has its fair share of traditional seaside towns, with their arcades, promenades and bucket-and-spade traditionalism. Robin Hood’s Bay is not one of them. This petite fishing village retains an untouched beauty, one of narrow, cobbled streets lined with ship captains’ ivy-clad cottages, throwback tearooms and artist studios. And no surprise artists flock here; the view of the bay is a rare glimpse into a time gone past, where life was governed by the churning North Sea. It is one of England’s finest seaside towns, and not to be missed.
16th-century Durham manor with eclectic interiors - Fully refundable
Rural manor stay close to Durham’s centre
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Produced by
A tour of Manchester's hidden highlights with Dom Hadley
James Forrest shows us around his local stomping ground
Outdoor inspiration comes in many forms for Aylsa Hopps
Fern Freud shows us how relaxing foraging can be
Grow your own food with Ashley Nwokorie
Tommy Brady takes us to his south coast haven
Up next
So to help you recharge, reset and find a fresh new direction, we spoke to inspiring individuals about their passions and the places that spark them, and created a specially-curated roadmap of original, enriching experiences all around the UK.
Click through the icons to uncover must-sees and dos that will inspire, enthrall and revitalise, and prove you don’t need to go to some far-flung destination to relax and recharge. Vauxhall’s exciting range of electric cars, including the new all-electric Vauxhall Mokka-e and the Vauxhall Corsa-e, are guaranteed to enhance any adventure, so explore our road map of home-grown treasures and meet our squad of expert life resetters for unique, quirky, and unforgettable experiences off the beaten track that will get you ready to try something new...
Choose your next adventure
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‘I keep being drawn back to the water’
Meet the entrepreneur who is transforming the value of fashion
‘It’s about opening up your senses to everything around you’
‘I love what I do – I finally feel like me’
‘The most precious things in life cannot be bought’
‘Gardens take patience and kindness, they are a great unifier’
Wild swimming with Tommy Brady
Upcycling with Dom Hadley
It’s time to get out, explore and escape into new places, landscapes and adventures
To help we’ve partnered with Vauxhall and Secret Escapes to create a maps-worth of easy adventures, whether you want to immerse yourself in art, go deep country stargazing, wild swimming on the Jurassic coast, or sea-kayaking to forage for your dinner.
Recharge, reset and revitalise on a Safar-e this winter with Vauxhall
Fuel economy and CO2 results for the Vauxhall Mokka-e 100KW (136PS). Mpg (l/100km): N/A. CO2 emissions: 0g/km. Electric range up to 201 miles (WLTP).
Fuel economy and CO2 results for the Vauxhall Corsa-e 100KW (136PS). Mpg (l/100km): N/A. CO2 emissions: 0g/km. Electric range up to 209 miles (WLTP).
*WLTP Figures shown are for comparison purposes and should only be compared to the fuel consumption and CO2 values of other cars tested to the same technical standard. The fuel consumption achieved, and CO2 produced, in real world conditions will depend upon a number of factors including, but not limited to: the accessories fitted (pre and post registration); variations in weather; driving styles and vehicle load. The WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure) is used to measure fuel consumption and CO2 figures. The CO2 figures display a range to reflect the highest value for the highest emitting version with all available options added, through to a minimum value to represent the lowest emitting version in standard specification. For more information contact your local Vauxhall Retailer.
Partner content- This content is paid for by an advertiser and created by The Independent’s branded content team, Independent Ignite, in partnership with the advertiser. Independent Ignite produces this content, the advertiser has final approval of the content created. The content is regulated by the Advertising Standards Authority.
Hiking with James Forrest
Nature-seeking with AYLSA Hopps
Though life may be returning to some kind of normal, many of us are still struggling to get back into our rhythm, and regain our previous zest for life.
Foraging with Fern Freud
Growing your own with Ashley Nwokorie
Discover the complete e-vehicle range
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Follow the Safar-e journey with Vauxhall
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Ultra-relaxing Dorset stay near scenic Studland Bay - Fully refundable
Stay steps from Dorset's stunning Studland Bay
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Charming North Yorkshire coaching inn - Fully refundable
Revamped Georgian coaching within pretty North Yorkshire.
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Including the New all-electric Vauxhall Mokka-e and Vauxhall Corsa-e
Showing now |
Tommy Brady takes us to his south coast haven
A tour of Manchester's hidden highlights with Dom Hadley
James Forrest shows us around his local stomping ground
Outdoor inspiration comes in many forms for Aylsa Hopps
Fern Freud shows us how relaxing foraging can be
Grow your own food with Ashley Nwokorie
James Forrest shows us around his local stomping ground
Outdoor inspiration comes in many forms for Aylsa Hopps
Fern Freud shows us how relaxing foraging can be
Grow your own food with Ashley Nwokorie
FIND OUT MORE
James Forrest shows us around his local stomping ground
Outdoor inspiration comes in many forms for Aylsa Hopps
Tommy Brady takes us to his south coast haven
James Forrest shows us around his local stomping ground
Fern Freud shows us how relaxing foraging can be
Grow your own food with Ashley Nwokorie
A tour of Manchester's hidden highlights with Dom Hadley
Tommy Brady takes us to his south coast haven
Outdoor inspiration comes in many forms for Aylsa Hopps
Fern Freud shows us how relaxing foraging can be
Grow your own food with Ashley Nwokorie
A tour of Manchester's hidden highlights with Dom Hadley
Tommy Brady takes us to his south coast haven
James Forrest shows us around his local stomping ground
Fern Freud shows us how relaxing foraging can be
Grow your own food with Ashley Nwokorie
A tour of Manchester's hidden highlights with Dom Hadley
Tommy Brady takes us to his south coast haven
Outdoor inspiration comes in many forms for Aylsa Hopps
Fern Freud shows us how relaxing foraging can be
Grow your own food with Ashley Nwokorie
A tour of Manchester's hidden highlights with Dom Hadley
Fern Freud shows us how relaxing foraging can be
Grow your own food with Ashley Nwokorie
James Forrest shows us around his local stomping ground
Outdoor inspiration comes in many forms for Aylsa Hopps
Grow your own food with Ashley Nwokorie
A tour of Manchester's hidden highlights with Dom Hadley
Tommy Brady takes us to his south coast haven
James Forrest shows us around his local stomping ground
Outdoor inspiration comes in many forms for Aylsa Hopps
Fern Freud shows us how relaxing foraging can be
A tour of Manchester's hidden highlights with Dom Hadley
Tommy Brady takes us to his south coast haven
Tommy Brady takes us to his south coast haven
A tour of Manchester's hidden highlights with Dom Hadley
Outdoor inspiration comes in many forms for Aylsa Hopps
Grow your own food with Ashley Nwokorie
Tommy Brady takes us to his south coast haven
A tour of Manchester's hidden highlights with Dom Hadley
Outdoor inspiration comes in many forms for Aylsa Hopps
Fern Freud shows us how relaxing foraging can be
James Forrest shows us around his local stomping ground
James Forrest shows us around his local stomping ground
James Forrest shows us around his local stomping ground
Outdoor inspiration comes in many forms for Aylsa Hopps
Fern Freud shows us how relaxing foraging can be
Grow your own food with Ashley Nwokorie
A tour of Manchester's hidden highlights with Dom Hadley
Tommy Brady takes us to his south coast haven
Why my road trip to Dartmoor was "Pure driving pleasure"