Best gift ideas for outdoor adventurers and nature lovers
by admin
Finding the perfect present for a keen wildlife lover, gardener or outdoor adventurer should be a pleasure, not a challenge. To help with this, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite products, including those from small UK businesses and well-known brands alike.
So, get comfy, grab a cuppa and browse our pick of the best nature-inspired gifts for 2022.
Best outdoor and nature-themed gift ideas for 2022
Cotopaxi Bogotá 20L backpack – Del Día, £80
Get yourself an exciting one-of-a-kind backpack with Cotopaxi’s Bogota 20-litre day pack – when you order, the colour combination is chosen for you at random. Made with repurposed remnant materials, your surprise pack has eco credentials and will have a unique look to boot. With breathable and padded shoulder straps and back panel, deep side pockets for water bottles, plus internal organising pockets, this pack will take you from bus trip to walking trail with style.
Trill on the Hill Nettle Body Wash, £22, Sea Buckthorn Universal Balm, £29, and Silver Birch Body Oil, £24
A joint venture between Romy Fraser, founder of Neal’s Yard Remedies, and her two daughters Tamsin and Lara, Trill on the Hill’s aromatic products are made from plants wild foraged and harvested from their own Axminster farm. Revitalising Nettle Body Wash is gently foaming, made from self heal, plantain, nettle and cleavers herbal extracts combined with a blend of organic rosemary, mint and lavandin essential oils.
Sea Buckthorn Universal Balm contains soothing calendula, plantain and self heal herbal extracts, combined with sea buckthorn and organic essential oils; use it as a body moisturiser, cleanser or conditioning treatment for nails.
After a day spent outdoors, gently massage the luxurious and nourishing Silver Birch Body Oil into skin after bathing; with silver birch, rosehip and sea buckthorn extracts plus a revitalising aromatic blend of cypress, juniper and bergamot essential oils. The perfect pampering treat.
‘Yule’ and ‘Star’ Pure Recycled Wool Walkers’ Companion Blankets, £28
Made from eco-friendly recycled wool in Wales, this compact blanket is indeed the ideal companion for walkers, wild swimmers and picnic lovers. With a durable and waterproof waxed cotton underside and a carry handle, it’s compact and fits easily into a backpack. A perfect gift for outdoor adventurers.
Thick, warm and luxurious, Genevieve Sweeney’s merino wool walking socks in burgundy and azure blue will see you trekking the fells in style and comfort. Made in Britain, machine washable and durable, they have a double density sole for added cushioning and are made from rescued end-of-line yarns that would otherwise have been thrown away. For warmer days, the moisture-wicking cotton walking sock in eye-catching green marl is made from organic cotton and a specifically engineered polyester designed to pull moisture away from the skin.
Craghoppers heat regulating travel socks are designed to feel cooler when the weather warms up, and have a padded heel, toe and sole for added comfort on the go.
Made from 100% recycled polyester, this show-stopping unisex one-size-fits-all 100% waterproof rain poncho will keep you dry in the most fabulous style. Lightweight and easy to wear with taped seams and adjustable Velcro on the wrists, it folds up into the front pocket making it easy to carry on the go. Perfect for cyclists and walkers – be seen, stay dry!
Ever wished you could wear your sleeping bag? Ideal for the campsite, beach outings, picnics in the park and cosying up at home, too, this colourful puffy blanket is made from 100% post-consumer recycled materials and has a fantastic ‘cape clip’ allowing you to wear the blanket hands-free. It’s machine-washable, water repellent and stain-resistant and fits into its own compact stuff sack.
Royal Robbins Men’s Lost Coast Flannel Plaid Long Sleeve shirt, RRP £80
Soft but strong – this classic country shirt is made of durable nylon and polyester.
For the camper in your life, an ingenious USB-rechargeable lantern that toggles between two dimmable bulbs – a bright, 400-lumen one for essential tasks such as food prep, and a warm, glowing light for a mellow atmosphere. With hanging clip.
Lightweight enough for camping or garden, this large steel fire-bowl will take enough firewood to keep you out under the stars swapping stories well into the evening. Pictured with Robens Leather Fire gloves (RRP £17.99), for campfire cooks or the hearth at home: these sturdy leather gauntlets keep hands and forearms safe when you handle hot pots or tend to the fire.
Relax by the campfire in this handsomely designed and robust aluminium-framed chair with beech wood arms.
Robens Lassen grill trivet, RRP £31.99
Simple stainless steel folding grill for cooking over charcoal or an open fire. Pictured with Robens Fire fork (RRP £10.99), a telescopic fork perfect for toasting muffins marshmallows at a safe distance from the fire.
Royal Robbins Westland Fair Isle Crew sweater, RRP £90
Eco-conscious loved ones will appreciate this pretty, Shetland-style jumper. It’s made from a blend of merino wool, and polyester recycled – believe it or not – from a mmix of plastic bottles and crushed oyster shells.
Selk’bag Kids Recycled Deep Sea Sleeping Bag Suit, £79.99
Whether camping, star-gazing, or even in a chillier-than-usual home this winter, this all-in-one insulated layer will help kids keep warm. With hood and removable booties.
Pack all the gear you need for a weekend’s adventure with this robust duffle, in on-trend ‘potters clay’ colour. Inside there’s one large divider secured with a popper, and two small zipped pockets; plus one zipped external pocket.
Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag 40L, RRP £120
Pack for a weekend away with this tough and weather-resistant duffel. There’s one big internal pocket, a large mesh pocket, and optional backpack straps when your load is heavy. Made of recycled polyester.
Millican Smith The Roll Pack 18L backpack, RRP £115
This cheerful 18L backpack can function just as well in everyday life as it can on long hikes – and its neutral aesthetic makes it transferable between town and countryside. It has padded, adjustable shoulder straps and removable waist and sternum straps to provide a comfortable fit.
As for the construction, it’s made from eco-friendly ‘bionic canvas’, a mixture of recycled polyester, high tenacity polyester and cotton. All the hardware is aluminium.
It comes complete with a foldaway reflective strip, so you can be seen in poor conditions.
Britain’s Birds: An identification guide to the birds of Great Britain and Ireland, RRP £20
If you have a committed twitcher or a budding enthusiast in your social circle, this book of Britain’s birds could make a thoughtful gift. It’s not your average encyclopaedia; it’s the only one to cover every bird in every plumage ever recorded in the UK and Ireland. Plus, there are over 3,200 photos showing the birds as you would see them in real life.
A lightweight, insulated bottle is always a handy companion, whether you’re on a countryside ramble or not. This leak-proof one from Hydro Flask has a flexible, perforated strap and should keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot for up to 12. It also comes in a range of natural tones, and in three sizes, from 621ml to 946ml.
Craghoppers Trek Leather Boot, RRP £150
A spin on the traditional hiking boots with full grain leather construction, these Craghoppers boots come with excellent technical features. There’s a moulded EVA footbed, which creates a supportive cushion for your feet, and a Vibram outsole for excellent grip in wet conditions.
Plus, NosiLife anti-insect mesh keeps even the most determined of mosquitos and sandflies firmly out.
The boots come with eye-catching orange laces as a finishing touch. They’d make a fantastic gift for anyone planning to hit the trails on Boxing Day.
Check out our round-up of the best walking boots for more shoe recommendations from experts.
Ghillie Kettle Explorer and Cook Kit, RRP £75.98
Ideal for any camping trip, this cook kit comes with a frying pan, saucepan, grill pot gripper and base stand. It’s small enough to pack away into the handy carry bag when you’re done, but large enough to make around three and a half mugs of water in one go.
A brilliant backpack made for outdoor swimmers that has an integrated insulated changing mat made from recycled tarpaulin. The bag is designed to keep all your stuff dry and your feet clean and warm when you’re getting changed beside river, lake or sea.
This elegant iron watering can is perfect for keeping delicate seedlings and small houseplants topped up with water or feed. A beautiful item that will make watering the plants a joy!
Our beginner’s guide looks at easy ways to grow indoor plants, which types of houseplant grow best in the UK, how to care for your houseplants, the benefits of growing plants indoors and common houseplant problems.
Ruby Cubes Foraging Basket, RRP £50
A foraging basket would make a charming outdoor gift for anyone interested in the natural world. This one is handmade by artist Jessica Geach in her Dartmoor studio using unbleached, organic cotton. Her baskets are each slightly different, but they’re all ideal for holding long-stemmed plants and flowers.
Attract bees, butterflies and ladybirds to your garden with this weather-resistant bug house. Natural wood, bamboo and pine cones provide a range of different habitats for curious creatures.
This would make a lovely gift for children, keen gardeners and wildlife lovers alike.
Country Innovations RSPB Lady Avocet Jacket, RRP £225
This comfortable outdoor jacket has a detachable hood and enormous pockets with enough space to fit a pair of binoculars inside. It’s made from a hard-wearing yet soft microfibre fabric, which is waterproof and windproof. You can also add an internal fleece, thanks to the hidden zip.
For reference, we’ve found the size ‘small’ roughly matches a size 12.
Prefer a waxed jacket? We’ve got you covered thanks to our round-up of the best waxed jackets.
Viking Merlin ED Binoculars, 8X42, RRP £249.99
These binoculars provide a very clear image even in low-light conditions, thanks in part to the objective lenses, which contain ED glass for sharper focus and reduced chromatic aberration.
The binoculars are fairly heavy at 720g, and come with rubber casing for added protection.
Bushnell Trophy Cam HD Essential E3 camera, RRP £127.72
Ever wondered what animals get up to when you’re not around? This clever kit can tell you. With its infrared motion sensor and 16-megapixel camera, it captures images and videos of wildlife in action. You’ll get full colour photos during the day and black and white shots at night.
Kathmandu Epiq Hooded Down Jacket, RRP £245
This warm and lightweight jacket is great for walking and watching wildlife when the temperature drops. The outer fabric is made from 100% recycled polyester and it’s water repellent, so it’ll keep you dry during a light shower.
The coat also comes with its own stuff sack, which you can squeeze it into before popping it in your bag.
For more recommendations when it comes to down jackets head across to our list of the best down jackets.
Raw Steel Fire Pit from All Things Brighton Beautiful
Perfect for keeping the chill at bay during alfresco gatherings, this stylish fire pit would make a great gift for anyone who enjoys getting the most from their outdoor space. It’s crafted from heavy gauge raw steel with four legs for stability and two carry handles for easy transportation.
It’s available in three sizes, and the untreated metal will age over time to develop a natural, rusty finish.
Scottish Heather and Juniper Hamper from The Travelling Bee Company, RRP £39.99
A gift hamper rarely disappoints, so why not try this one from The Travelling Bee Company? It comes stocked with a jar of Scottish Heather Honey, harvested from the wild moors above the shores of the Kyles of Bute in Argyll, Scotland.
Plus, you’ll get a jar of wildflower honey, a heather and juniper soap bar made with essential oils and dried flowers, and a handmade organic juniper lip balm.
Suzie Lee Knitwear mittens, RRP £29
Designed in Suzie Lee’s garden studio in Kent, these charming mittens are made from 100% British spun lambswool and come in a range of vibrant colours to bring warmth and comfort to any outdoor trip. They’re priced at £29 and come in a wide variety of cheery colours and patterns.
Check our Suzie Lee’s Etsy pagefor more high-quality knitted goods, from cosy wraps to cushions and hot water bottle covers.
The Great British Outdoors Map, RRP £12.99
This fun map is a great way to remember the places you’ve been and get inspiration for your next adventure. So, it’s a thoughtful gift idea for anyone who is always out and about, or who needs a little encouragement.
The map highlights the UK’s best walks, nature reserves and National Parks – and you can scratch them off as you go.
Isle of Harris Gin
If you know a gin drinker, you can’t go wrong with this Isle of Harris bottle. It’s developed on the Scottish island itself, and the makers infuse it with eight botanicals, including hand-harvested sugar kelp.
Scottish Made Pheasant Cheese Board and Knife Set
When you buy this cheese board and knife set, you’re doing your bit to support conservation. It’s crafted from sustainably sourced Scottish oak, harvested by a Fife-based not-for-profit organisation committed to protecting local woodland.
The 30cm x 20cm board has an attractive engraved design and comes with a stainless steel and copper cheese knife, all stored in a grey gift box.
Grow your own herbs gardening set from Kenneth & Kenneth
The perfect outdoor gift for anyone who loves gardening or good food, this set makes it easy to grow thyme, rosemary and sage in three tin planters. Depending on the kit you buy, you’ll get a range of useful tools and accessories, like jute twine, metal gardening scissors and wooden plant markers.
National Trust Burgon & Ball Hand Fork and Hand Trowel
The National Trust partners with Burgon & Ball to create some of the most durable and attractive gardening tools around. Their hand fork and trowel both have an antique bronze finish, solid brass ferrules and dark wood handles made from FSC-certified ash. They also come with a leather hanging cord for easy storage.
Buy one on its own or invest in the matching set.
Collins Gem Mushrooms field guide
At just 11.7cm x 8.2cm, this Collins Gem field guide is easy to stash away in your pocket or backpack. Despite its small size, it has 256 pages filled with information, photos and illustrations of more than 240 of the most common mushroom species in Britain and northern Europe.
Buy this outdoor gift for any budding botanist or foraging enthusiast.
Ideal for days out, this vacuum insulated bottle keeps drinks cold for 48 hours or hot for six. The steel double wall stops condensation building up on the outside of the bottle, while the cap snaps back into the handle for easy drinking. Plus, it’s lightweight and BPA-free.
Choose your favourite colour from eight options, including ‘brick’, pictured.
FSC Field Guide To Foraging: The Top 25 Edible Plants
The Field Studies Council (FSC) has created hundreds of handy guides to the natural world, covering everything from Sphagnum mosses to sawflies to the night sky. They’re foldable, splash-proof and brilliant for expanding your knowledge while you’re out and about.
This one covers the top 25 edible plants, but there are many others available online, so you can choose the topics to suit your recipient.
Tog Higonokami stainless steel knife
Tog’s folded steel kitchen knives are steeped in the Japanese Samurai sword tradition, designed as they were in the Seki region of Japan and developed over a number of years in professional UK kitchens.
With more than 10 Michelin-starred chefs using them, and being used each week on Saturday Morning Kitchen, Tog knives are becoming known for their incredible sharpness. So it’s a real delight to see the brand has brought out a Higonokami range: traditional Japanese folding pocket knives, in easy-to-clean stainless steel.
Here’s one way to make campfire cooking a joy, even when you’re sitting under a tarpaulin, slicing stringy bacon or thick-skinned onions, on a tiny chopping board.
Wentworth puzzles are unlike any other jigsaw brand. Their pieces are made from laser-cut wood, with exquisite designs and beautifully crafted jigsaws that break all the rules. You’ll find straight edges in the middle, irregular shapes that fit together to make whole sections, and delightful little figurines, such as a swooping owl or a hedgehog in this Autumnal Fox jigsaw, that sit at unlikely angles in unpredictable places. It will take you several hours to complete this, but it will be a very satisfying journey, filled with little moments of wonder and delight.
Keep toes toasty in these soft suede slippers with super-cosy eco-tanned sheepskin lining. The deep non-slip EVA sole gives stability and insulation, and means you can pop out to the garden in them, too. These unisex slippers come in six colourways, in sizes 3 to 8.
Finally, if you’re still stuck for outdoor gift ideas, why not put your money towards something that’ll really make a difference?
Many organisations offer the chance to adopt an endangered animal, which you can do on behalf of a loved one, either as a one-off gift or an ongoing payment. Most provide ‘thank you’ packs with certificates and toys for you to pass along.
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Born Free work with some of the world’s most endangered species, including elephants, jaguars and pangolins. Operating more locally, The Wildlife Trusts focus solely on UK-based conservation, providing adoption packages with animals like otters, hedgehogs and red squirrels.
