Our Story!

It was amid the frenetic night life and bar scene of Manchester back in 2006 that a germ of an idea first formed in my head. 

I loved the city buzz but needed to balance it with some weekends where the pace was slower and where I could get outside and enjoy exploring beautiful countryside. 

I didn’t want total solitude though; nor did I necessarily want the complete route-march, one-pint of beer & early-to-bed option that seemed to typify the rambling and mountaineering groups I was familiar with. I was looking for a happy medium – a sociable adventure with a relaxed atmosphere. 

Now this was back in the day when Facebook and Meetup weren’t really mainstream (imagine that!) and so I popped an advert in a local what’s on guide basically saying: “Anyone fancy a walk followed by dinner and a pint in a country pub in the Peak District?” 

Amazingly people answered the ad and I organised our first day trip from Piccadilly train station out to the hills where, in all fairness, we did more drinking in the pubs than we did walking! After a few months, the group had grown and I found myself organising events every weekend for those looking to escape Manchester for a day. 

At that time the whole business was very informal until I went on a diving holiday to Indonesia and ended up sitting next to a lady called Kendra. 

After we both returned from holiday Kendra joined me in running Large Outdoors and it was on one evening post-walk in a pub that we chatted about turning the day trips into whole weekends by hiring a hostel. 

With an eagerness fuelled by the few pints that we’d downed, we duly booked Rowen, a hostel in Snowdonia that is still a Large Outdoors favourite (think great views, open fire place and a remote setting in the Land of Legends). 

I’d love to say that our first weekend was seamless but in actual fact we were a bit shambolic particularly when Kendra’s car wouldn’t make it up the hill to the hostel. However this incident, in many ways, set the tone for our weekends going forward - where laughing and relaxing are just as much part of the mix as the walking and being responsible in the countryside. 

Fast forward to today and the social weekends are still the mainstay of our business with 300 such trips organised each year in locations stretching from Tintagel in Cornwall to Ben Nevis in Scotland. 

I’m proud of the fact that after all these years we haven’t strayed from our original purpose of wanting every guest to feel as though they are simply going away with a bunch of mates to enjoy a beautiful part of the UK. For them to have some great days out whether it’s walking, sea kayaking, wild swimming (or even shopping or sitting in a garden relaxing with a good book if they don’t feel like more active pursuits); enjoying a tipple or two and relishing some good food. 

Now in the style of an actor winning an award, I will say this: “Large Outdoors wouldn’t be what it is today without the rest of the team – whether it’s the skilled mountain guides, the amiable hosts who know just how to get a group mingling; our very able office gurus who keep me organised; and of course, the 50,000 Large Outdoors participants who have joined experiences over the years – thank you!!”

Here’s a quick fire round of questions I’m often asked: 

Where did the name Large Outdoors come from? 

Back in my days in publishing one of the magazines carried an advertising section called  “Large Manchester”. Over time, the section listing our trips was called “Large Outdoors” and voila the name has stuck.  

Where’s my favourite location?

A tricky one this as I’ve discovered so many fabulous spots. My favourite place for a weekend is the Gower coast and our stays at the hostel overlooking Port Eynon beach. 

On longer trips I’m torn between the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Island, not just for the stunning coastline but for the great pubs and quietness; and the Isle of Skye (we’ve discovered some off-the-beaten track places that rival all the usual tourist haunts during our popular Adventure and Explore trips).

Have firm friendships been made over the years? 

Very definitely. In fact a significant number of our participants travel on their own and on the first event they are normally a tad nervous about meeting new people. However, our tried and tested formula means that those nerves are often forgotten within minutes of meeting everyone and after a few weekends some great friendships are forged. We’ve even had our fair share of weddings where Large Outdoors can claim to have been the catalyst! 

 Do you run charity events?

Many people don’t realise just how much we do with charities looking to organise and run fundraising challenges such as day hikes to the top of Snowdon or tackling the Yorkshire Three Peaks. We’re really proud to help these charities raise important funds; for example, the Snowdon challenge we organised which raised £50,000 for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.   

Even though I have a fantastic team hosting and guiding the trips, I still enjoy regularly leading groups and therefore I shall look forward to meeting new participants (whether it’s in the hills or on the water on a wild swimming trip). 

Above all, I would say don’t put off starting a new chapter in life where sociable outdoor adventures are perfectly achievable! 

Much Love

Gareth - Founder