I'm so excited to be joining the OS Champions for 2024! Along with other like-minded people, I have joined the 2024 group of approximately 100 OS Champions helping to showcase the best of Britain’s outdoors with inspiring stories and expert advice to help people get outside.
Launch Event
In July 2024 around 50 of the OS Champs met up in the Peak District. We stayed in a private field at Bank House Farm Campsite, near Buxton. Our park was situated right next to the River Manifold and is in a fantastic position overlooking the Derbyshire countryside.
It is set in the grounds of the Victorian farmhouse which dates back to 1834. In the local area you can explore all that Staffordshire and the Peak District has to offer.
Saturday
As I was venturing to the Peak District anyway I decided to go a night earlier and have a little solo adventure. Especially as on the Saturday (6th July) it was Wild Night Out 2024. I went along to Timber Festival, a nature-related music and arts festival, nestled deep in the woodland, and had a fab time.
I was super excited about my camping trip as it was my first proper chance to use my new roof tent! I recently purchased, with my family, an incredible roof tent from Ventura Roof Tents.
It opens up in seconds, sleeps 2-3 adults and is made from durable materials for the most extreme conditions. Weighing just 45kgs, the roof tent easily mounts on a set of roof bars on any car, 4x4, pick up, van or trailer. I couldn't wait to test it out!
Sunday
On the Sunday I enjoyed more of the Festival, packed up my rooftent and headed off to Champs Fest.
After setting up the rooftent again and saying hello to the others who had arrived, I went to the nearby pub with OS Champs Helen and Naz. Naz noticed a picture on the wall of Thor’s Cave and said she had always wanted to go. Over food and beers we hatched a plan to hike there the next morning!
I went to bed, excited for the next day meeting everyone. There was promised some team building activities, plenty of time to get to know each other and hopefully lots of laughs along the way! I was a bit nervous about this, I can't lie!
Monday
Early on Monday, along with Naz, Sarah, Shilpa and Crys we enjoyed a fab hike with stunning views on the Monday morning! Thor’s Cave is outside the village of Wetton in the Staffordshire Peak District. It is a natural cavern set in a steep limestone crag. It has a huge arched entrance that is easily visible (and quite accessible) from the footpath on the scenic Manifold Way below.
Visit on a dry day as it can be very slippery and there are very steep, unguarded drops from the entrances. There is a small free car park to walk from.
Anyone who hadn't arrived Sunday night turned up on Monday morning, to set up tents and get ready. There was a start time of 11:00am. For the first part of the day we spent some time getting to know one another. After lunch, we headed off site to an activity centre for some organised fun.
Photo: @explorewithbrendan
We went by bus to Black Rocks walking and climbing area in Matlock, Derbyshire. We split into teams and took part in some teambuilding activities including orienteering, ziplining and scrambling. This was so much fun, very tiring and really pushed me out of my comfort zone!
We got back to the campsite at around 5:45pm for some free time and we were given amazing goodie bags to enjoy. Montane is the OS Champions kit partner for 2024. We were lucky enough to get some amazing kit, along with OS Champions goodie bundles. As a bonus, Bridgedale also offered a pair of socks to everyone.
We then had a delicious BBQ dinner, drinks and campfire fun. I slept really well that night!
Tuesday
In the morning breakfast was delivered to us by a local farm shop with some scrummy options (provided by OS). We also had time to start packing away. Unfortunately, after the sunshine the day before, it was pouring with rain. Everyone opted out of the optional group walk due to the weather!
On the way home I stopped in Bakewell to pick up some proper Bakewell Tart and Bakewell pudding to take home.
I didn't stop smiling from those few days. Just the best time I’ve had in absolutely ages, even camping in the rain couldn’t dampen our spirits! My adventure cup and heart are completely full and I’m brimming with new ideas ❤️
OS Champs Fest 2024 for the win.
Ordnance Survey
Our mission is to help more people get outside more often. We promote the spirit of adventure and develop products and services that make the outdoors more enjoyable, more accessible and safer.
Our ambition is to create new ways to bring the outdoors to life for everyone so that we can all enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of being outside. We help people create lasting memories, live longer, stay younger and enjoy life more.
As the national mapping agency of Great Britain Ordnance Survey is renowned for paper maps as well as the award-winning OS Maps app, loved by walkers, runners, cylists, horse riders, climbers and everyone that enjoys discovering the Great British outdoors and getting off of the beaten track. On top of that we have a wide range of outdoor gear, GPS devices, guide books, personalised maps, themed maps and more.
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