{"id":37480,"title":"The Benefits of Getting Outside: Find Your Outdoors in Wales","description":"Make a little more room for life outside. Explore the benefits of time in nature, discover Welsh places to slow down and find simple ideas for getting outdoors more often.","content":"

Spending time outdoors can support your wellbeing, create opportunities to move more and give you time with other people away from screens. In Wales, that might mean a woodland wander, a short coastal walk or an hour in a city park. Start with somewhere you can comfortably reach and enjoy.<\/p>

Perhaps your working day has become a blur of open tabs. Perhaps the weekend keeps disappearing into errands. Or perhaps you and a friend have been saying \u201cwe should catch up\u201d for weeks.<\/p>

Give yourselves somewhere to go. A path beside the water. A bench beneath the trees. A caf\u00e9 you can walk or cycle to.<\/p>

At Balch, those ordinary moments outside are part of what inspires us: fresh air, Welsh landscapes and time together that nobody is rushing to finish.<\/p>

\"Image<\/p>

What are the benefits of spending time outdoors?<\/h2>

1. A little breathing space for your mind<\/h3>

Time in nature can help you feel more relaxed and support your mood. Mental health charity Mind explains that connecting with nature<\/a> can reduce feelings of stress and create opportunities for connection.<\/p>

You do not need to turn every outing into a wellbeing exercise. Try sitting beside a tree, watching birds on the water or taking a familiar path without filling the whole journey with a podcast.<\/p>

Notice what is actually there: leaves moving overhead, the sound of gravel underfoot, the first warmth from a flask.<\/p>

Nature can support wellbeing, but it is not a guaranteed fix or a replacement for mental health care.<\/p>

2. A reason to move more often<\/h3>

A walk to see the sea or a cycle ride with a caf\u00e9 stop gives movement a destination you want to reach.<\/p>

The NHS says a brisk 10-minute daily walk has health benefits<\/a> and can count towards the recommended weekly activity target. You can begin with a manageable distance and build gradually.<\/p>

Choose something you enjoy enough to repeat. For one person, that will be a lunchtime loop. For another, a longer weekend walk with friends. The useful starting point is what fits your ability and your day.<\/p>

\"Hafren<\/p>

3. Time to reconnect with other people<\/h3>

\u201cMeet at ten for a walk?\u201d is a plan you can put in the diary.<\/p>

There is something appealing about having time together without needing to organise an elaborate day. Bring a flask. Pick a route that suits everyone. Leave room for a stop and a conversation that goes beyond how busy you have been.<\/p>

If you would like company, a local walking group or conservation volunteering session could be a place to start. Mind also highlights opportunities to meet people and connect with your community as benefits of activities in nature.<\/p>

4. A break from constant input<\/h3>

Going outside gives you an opportunity to choose where your attention goes.<\/p>

Try keeping your phone in your pocket between navigation checks. Take a photograph if you want one, then spend a little time looking without the screen.<\/p>

You might notice a turning you have always walked past or find yourself thinking differently about a problem. There is no need to demand a creative breakthrough from every outing. Sometimes an enjoyable half-hour away from your desk is enough.<\/p>

How much time should you spend in nature?<\/h2>

There is no single amount that guarantees a benefit for everyone.<\/p>

A 2019 study of 19,806 adults in England<\/a> found that spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature was associated with a greater likelihood of reporting good health and wellbeing than spending no time in nature. That time could be spread across several visits or taken in one longer outing.<\/p>

The study found an association, not proof that two hours outdoors causes better health. It also does not mean a shorter visit is pointless.<\/p>

For everyday life, start with something achievable: a short break in a nearby green space, a walk after lunch or a regular weekend meet-up. Let it become something you look forward to.<\/p>

Where can you enjoy the outdoors in Wales at a gentler pace?<\/h2>

Wales offers plenty of ways to spend time outside without planning a summit day. These four starting points cover city greenery, woodland, parkland and coast. Check the linked visitor information for current access, facilities and any closures before travelling.<\/p>

Bute Park, Cardiff: greenery within the city<\/h3>

Close to Cardiff Castle, Bute Park<\/a> brings together mature trees, parkland and the River Taff, with caf\u00e9s and self-led trails.<\/p>

Make it a pause in a city day: arrange a walk before lunch, take a book or meet someone for coffee and a wander. You can choose how long you stay.<\/p>

Make it your outing:<\/strong> agree a meeting point and leave some time unplanned.<\/p>

\"Entrance<\/p>

Newborough Forest, Ynys M\u00f4n: woodland and coastal surroundings<\/h3>

Newborough National Nature Reserve and Forest<\/a> offers waymarked routes through a landscape of forest, dunes and coast.<\/p>

Choose your route before setting off. Natural Resources Wales provides trail information and details of routes suitable for some adaptive equipment, helping you judge what will work for your group.<\/p>

Make it your outing:<\/strong> choose a woodland route you can comfortably complete and pack something for a picnic stop. Check conditions before adding time on the beach.<\/p>

\"Ynys<\/p>

Craig-y-Nos Country Park, Bannau Brycheiniog: a slower afternoon<\/h3>

Craig-y-Nos Country Park<\/a> has gentle paths, trees, ponds, benches and picnic areas within Bannau Brycheiniog National Park.<\/p>

It is an option for a visit built around a wander and a sit-down. Bring lunch, look closely at the trees and give yourself permission to stop somewhere simply because you like it.<\/p>

Make it your outing:<\/strong> plan a relaxed afternoon with time to linger.<\/p>

The Wales Coast Path: choose a stretch that suits you<\/h3>

You can enjoy the Welsh coast one short section at a time.<\/p>

The Wales Coast Path\u2019s accessible walks guide<\/a> includes options for wheelchair users, people with limited mobility and families with pushchairs. Some listings provide detailed photographs and information about gradients, surfaces and barriers.<\/p>

Check the individual route against your needs. A coastal path can vary considerably, and a sea view does not necessarily mean a flat walk.<\/p>

Make it your outing:<\/strong> choose a suitable section with a clear turnaround point and somewhere to pause.<\/p>

\"Wales<\/p>

For a visit centred on Eryri\u2019s mountain landscape, our Welsh 3000s guide<\/a> explains the challenge and other ways to experience the area. Mountain routes need their own preparation, whatever distance you intend to cover.<\/p>

How to make getting outside part of your week<\/h2>

Keep the first plan small enough to happen.<\/p>

  1. Choose somewhere close.<\/strong> Start with a park, public green space or familiar path you can reach without a complicated journey.<\/p><\/li>

  2. Give it a time.<\/strong> \u201cAfter lunch on Wednesday\u201d is easier to act on than \u201cwhen things calm down\u201d.<\/p><\/li>

  3. Choose your company.<\/strong> Invite someone who will enjoy your pace, or keep the time for yourself.<\/p><\/li>

  4. Add something to look forward to.<\/strong> A flask of tea, a picnic or a caf\u00e9 stop can be part of the pleasure.<\/p><\/li>

  5. Make a shorter version.<\/strong> If time or energy is limited, you still have an outing that works.<\/p><\/li><\/ol>

    You could try two short weekday visits to a green space and one longer weekend outing. This is simply a planning idea, not a health target. Adjust it around your mobility, commitments and the conditions.<\/p>

    What should you take for time outdoors in Wales?<\/h2>

    For a short, low-level outing, begin with comfortable footwear suited to the surface, clothing appropriate to the forecast, drinking water and a charged phone. Add a waterproof and warmer layer when conditions call for them.<\/p>

    Check the route, daylight and local weather before leaving. Beaches, exposed coast paths and mountain routes need additional planning. Keep your phone available for navigation and emergencies, even when you are taking a break from scrolling.<\/p>

    Everyday cotton clothing has its place on casual outings and during the relaxed parts of the day. For strenuous, cold or wet mountain activity, choose technical clothing and protective layers suited to those conditions.<\/p>

    A few questions before you head out<\/h2>

    Can you enjoy nature without hiking?<\/h3>

    Yes. Sitting in a park, watching wildlife, gardening or spending time at an accessible viewpoint are all ways to connect with nature. Choose an experience that works for your mobility, energy and interests.<\/p>

    Do you need to leave the city?<\/h3>

    No. City parks and other local green spaces can bring nature into an ordinary day. Bute Park in Cardiff is one example, but the most useful place may be the one close enough for you to visit regularly.<\/p>

    What if the weather changes?<\/h3>

    Shorten, change or postpone your outing to suit the conditions. Check the forecast and any local warnings. A shorter route near shelter can be an option in light rain; strong winds, storms, flooding and rough seas call for different decisions.<\/p>

    Carry a little of the outdoors into everyday life<\/h2>

    The walk ends, but there are parts of the day you want to keep: a conversation that finally had time to happen, the view you stopped for, the promise to meet again next weekend.<\/p>

    Balch is an independent Welsh outdoor lifestyle brand inspired by those connections. Our clothing brings Welsh language, landscape and a love of time outside into pieces you can wear through everyday life.<\/p>

    Choose a T-shirt that reflects your love of the mountains. Pull on a sweatshirt for the caf\u00e9 afterwards. Find a Welsh design that brings back somewhere you love, even on a working Tuesday.<\/p>

    You do not need to be Welsh or speak Welsh to be part of it. An appreciation for the place, the people and the experience is a welcome starting point.<\/p>

    \"0gd1ehehwxw718df2fg0fp62cjehuaunoryqizhszovvmbjb.png.png?w=1140&project=balch-282825&v=2\"Discover Balch clothing for life outdoors<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

    Roam proudly. Crwydro\u2019n falch.<\/strong><\/p>","urlTitle":"benefits-of-getting-outside-wales","url":"\/blog\/benefits-of-getting-outside-wales\/","editListUrl":"\/my-blogs","editUrl":"\/my-blogs\/edit\/benefits-of-getting-outside-wales\/","fullUrl":"https:\/\/balch.wales\/blog\/benefits-of-getting-outside-wales\/","featured":false,"published":true,"showOnSitemap":true,"hidden":false,"visibility":null,"createdAt":1710501216,"updatedAt":1791388974,"publishedAt":1791388974,"lastReadAt":null,"division":{"id":279374,"name":"Balch"},"tags":[],"metaImage":{"original":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/znfwsi8imgjdqjsitpma5dgoqqze98ujyj5spebr9py9qqy3.jpeg","thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/znfwsi8imgjdqjsitpma5dgoqqze98ujyj5spebr9py9qqy3.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/znfwsi8imgjdqjsitpma5dgoqqze98ujyj5spebr9py9qqy3.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"metaTitle":"Benefits of Getting Outside in Wales | Balch","metaDescription":"Discover the benefits of getting outside, gentle places to explore in Wales and simple ways to make more time for nature, fresh air and good company.","keyPhraseCampaignId":null,"series":[],"similarReads":[{"id":35633,"title":"Wild Swimming Wales: Unforgettable Adventures","url":"\/blog\/wild-swimming-wales\/","urlTitle":"wild-swimming-wales","division":279374,"description":"Wales, with its rugged landscapes and pristine waters, is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts seeking adventure and connection with nature. Among the myriad of activities available, open water or wild swimming stands out as an invigorating and soul-nourishing experience. We will delve into the benefits of wild swimming in Welsh waters, highlighting some of the stunning spots that make Wales a paradise for aquatic adventurers.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/vk25vofsnd6etmzrgpy493dqdm6zt2ypgmsglfg3adjdb2ir.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/vk25vofsnd6etmzrgpy493dqdm6zt2ypgmsglfg3adjdb2ir.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":28129,"title":"Hiking the Welsh 3000s","url":"\/blog\/hiking-the-welsh-3000-s\/","urlTitle":"hiking-the-welsh-3000-s","division":279374,"description":"Explore the Welsh 3000s, from the 15-peak challenge to shorter walks among Eryri\u2019s mountains. Find practical advice for planning your visit and inspiration for a weekend of big views, good company and time well spent outside.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/ab2dpdxslfkt7zdjpbfenwo6azyitwqgndwy2ogno8xbrqnx.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/ab2dpdxslfkt7zdjpbfenwo6azyitwqgndwy2ogno8xbrqnx.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":27356,"title":"Discovering the Hidden Gems along the West Coast of Wales","url":"\/blog\/discovering-the-hidden-gems-of-the-west-wales-coast\/","urlTitle":"discovering-the-hidden-gems-of-the-west-wales-coast","division":279374,"description":"Discover the hidden gems of the West Wales Coast - from secluded beaches to charming seaside towns. Explore the lesser-known attractions and scenic spots along this magical coast in our latest blog post.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/rc0dn1bzjgbcqzzcamzzujqnxl75i1gjlglwojr3fima9loi.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/rc0dn1bzjgbcqzzcamzzujqnxl75i1gjlglwojr3fima9loi.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0}],"labels":[]}