By Carys Matthews

Published: Friday, 19 November 2021 at 12:00 am

---

Millican Smith The Roll Pack 18L backpack

This cheerful 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. And it’s made from ‘bionic canvas’, a mixture of recycled polyester, high tenacity polyester and cotton. 

Plus, it has a capacity of 18L and a foldaway reflective strip for better visibility in poor conditions.

---

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 ten 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.

• Buy now from Tog (RRP from £60)

---

Short Walks in Beautiful Places: 100 Great British Routes

Sometimes the shortest walks can be the best, as this inspiring book from the National Trust demonstrates. 

It’s easy to navigate, as the 100 excursions are grouped by location and difficulty, from easygoing strolls across parkland to more demanding hikes. They range from two to eight miles in length and cover some of Britain’s most iconic landscapes, including Giant’s Causeway and Lake Windermere. 

---

Wentworth Puzzles Autumnal Fox

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.

• Buy now from Wentworth Puzzles (RRP from £29.95)

---

Ciora Alpin Sheepskin Slippers

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.

• Buy now from Ciora (RRP from £44.99)

---

Personalised Hiking Boot Bag

What do you buy that un-materialistic person in your life who just enjoys simple pleasures such as hiking? The answer is, something useful they probably wouldn’t buy themselves. You know how it goes: you get back to the car after an outing, take off your boots… and spread mud all over your clean upholstery. A boot bag can make a useful and much-appreciated outdoor gift. 

This one from Big Stitch comes with free personalisation; you can add your recipient’s initials or name in your choice of font and colour. 

---

Britain’s Birds book

 

If you have a committed twitcher 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. 

See our guide on caring for garden birds

• Buy now from WHSmith (£20)

---

Hydro Flask Lightweight Wide Mouth bottle

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.

Hydro Flask’s Trail series bottles come in three sizes: you could go for the 621ml, 710ml or the 946ml option. 

---

Craghoppers Trek Leather Boot

A spin on the traditional hiking boots with full grain leather construction, these boots come with excellent technical features as well. NosiLife anti-insect mesh keeps even the most determined of mosquitos and sandflies firmly out, a moulded EVA footbed creates a supportive cushion to walk all day upon, and a Vibram outsole gives excellent grippy tread for wet conditions. A welcome gift for anyone planning to hit the trails on Boxing Day.

---

Rite In The Rain Pocket Notebook

Designed for the serious adventurer, this pocket notebook will let you make notes in the worst of weather conditions. It’s made from 100% recyclable wood-based paper, yet is resistant to water and dirt. You don’t even need special equipment to write in it – any pencil will do.

This pad has 50 sheets of lined paper and comes with handy measurement conversions inside.

---

Finisterre Women’s Stormbird Waterproof jacket

This fully waterproof 3-in-1 jacket comes is made from 100% recycled materials and comes in black and a striking pillarbox red. With 20k hydrostatic head rating, a two-way zip and a three-panel hood with three-point adjustment, it can be tweaked to provide an extremely close fit to your body and face, protecting you from all conditions.

• Buy now from Finisterre (RRP from £195)

 

---

Ghillie Kettle Explorer and Cook Kit

If it’s coming up to the end of the year, why not treat a loved one to a beautifully illustrated wall or advent calendar? Angela Harding is a Rutland-based artist who takes inspiration from British wildlife, and her calendars make lovely gifts. 

---

Ruby Cubes Foraging Basket

 

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. 

• Buy now from Etsy (£50)

---

Woodside Wooden Insect & Bee House

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.

British bee identification guide: best plants to attract bees to your garden

---

RSPB Lady Avocet Jacket

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.

---

Viking Merlin ED Binoculars, 8X42

 

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.

---

Trophy Cam HD Essential E3 camera

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.

---

Epiq Hooded Down Jacket, Kathmandu

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.

• Buy now for men and women from Kathmandu (£179.99)

---

British Nature Washi Tape Set

This pretty washi tape set could double up as both a gift and a gift-wrapping accessory. The tapes are decorated with watercolours of British birds, butterflies and wildflowers painted by the Devon-based artist Sarah Frances. Use them for craft projects, photo albums or even wall displays!

---

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.

Woodfire guide: history of the fire, how to light and best firewood to burn

---

Scottish Heather and Juniper Hamper from The Travelling Bee Company

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.

---

Unisex snood from Suzie Lee Knitwear

Designed in Suzie Lee’s garden studio in Kent, the unique ‘seed to tree’ pattern of this snood celebrates the forms of nature. The scarf is made from 100% British spun lambswool and comes in a range of vibrant colours to bring warmth and comfort to any outdoor trip. 

---

Suzie Lee Knitwear mittens

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 page for more high-quality knitted goods, from cosy wraps to cushions and hot water bottle covers.

---

The Great British Outdoors Map

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.

---

Chute Vacuum Insulated Bottle

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