The Helpful Hiker

City driving is hard work for any car, and your tyres take more of the strain than almost anything else. Each day they handle quick stops, sharp turns, speed bumps and roads that are often far from perfect. Picking good tyres in London can make your car safer, smoother and cheaper to keep on the road. Thankfully, you do not need to be a car expert. A few easy checks are all i...

Preparing for a hiking trip often means choosing the right equipment and planning your route. You might check your kit and make sure your itinerary suits everyone joining you. These preparations matter, but they don’t guarantee that your trip will unfold as expected.

A change in conditions or an unexpected disruption can prevent you from following your itinera...

The National Trust rates its 3-mile Mam Tor circuit in England’s Peak District as moderate and estimates two hours to complete it. Its route crosses steep sections and steps, despite the short distance. A beginner’s first hike depends more on terrain, weather and navigation than a step counter or a photograph of the summ...

An overseas hiking trip takes a little more planning than a weekend walk close to home. There is the route to sort out, the weather to check, accommodation to book and the right clothing to pack. Then come the smaller details that are easy to overlook until they cause a problem.

Your phone is one of them. It can carry maps, weather forecasts, booking details and eme...

Keeping the kids entertained through the school holidays can be expensive and finding affordable activities can be time consuming. So I’ve the hard work and put together a list of free and low cost (under £5 pp) activities happening across Northamptonshire this October half term. I’ve divided into 4 sections: Northampton, Daventry/ West Northants, North/East Northants and Sou...