90 Minutes to Nature

More than half of people (51%) have tried a new outdoor activity in the past year¹, from trail running and wild swimming to cycling and hiking. The appetite for a new challenge is clearly there. The question is how far you need to go to find it.

We teamed up with Ordnance Survey to analyse how many campsites, wild swimming spots, and walking routes sit within 90 minutes of the UK’s most populated cities and towns, travelling both by car and by public transport. Use the map to explore a selection of featured outdoor escapes near some of the UK’s most populated cities. 

A 90-minute radius can hold very different kinds of adventure, including an after-work trail circuit, a high-mileage day on exposed ground or a night under canvas. This research shows what sits within reach, so you can choose a route or stay that matches your time, experience and appetite for a challenge.

Find your next 90-minute escape

Each pin highlights a nearby walk, hike, or wild-swimming spot that could serve as a starting point for your next day out.

Note: Always check current access arrangements, opening times, route conditions, transport services, water safety guidance and local restrictions before travelling.

The UK's most nature-connected cities and towns

Want to skip to the top spots? 

Looking at the overall availability of outdoor escapes within a 90-minute journey by car and public transport, these five locations came out on top.

Are people still making time for adventure?

Outdoor time is already part of the routine for many people. Around two in five (39%) respondents said they spend time in natural environments daily or several times a week, while a further 19% get outdoors around once a week.¹

Life is busy, and time outside can be harder to prioritise than it sounds. The weather puts 39% of people off spending more time outdoors, while over one in five (22%) say they don’t have enough time, and 19% cite the cost of travel or access.¹

But, for many people, time outdoors is already part of what helps a week feel better. More than half (52%) of those surveyed said they head outdoors for their mental wellbeing or to relax, while 49% said they go to enjoy the scenery, and 47% said they do it for physical health or exercise.¹

Number 1: Manchester opens the door to the Dark Peak

Score: 9.75 out of 10

Campsites, wild swimming locations & OS Maps hiking routes within…

• 90 minutes by car: 363,846

• 90 minutes by public transport: 111,998

Manchester wins the ranking, and not by a narrow margin. Within 90 minutes by car, the city has access to 195 campsites, 99 wild swimming spots and 363,552 walking routes on the OS Maps app, the highest combined figure of any city or town assessed.

If you’re thinking of heading out in Manchester, here are a few ideas:

• Crossgate Farm Campsite

• A potential wild swimming spot: Salford Watersports Centre

• A hiking route to try out: Clayton Vale Local Nature Reserve

What’s great about Manchester is how much can be accessed without a car. By public transport, you can still reach 14 campsites, 13 wild swimming spots and 111,971 walking routes in less than 90 minutes.

Natalie Wolfenden, author and outdoor expert at Blacks, says:

“Manchester gives walkers a really impressive choice between quick routes close to the city and demanding days on the hills. Clayton Vale works well for a shorter trail session, while the Dark Peak opens up rougher terrain, bigger mileage and more challenging navigation.

“For a full day out, Kinder Scout offers steep approaches and an exposed plateau, while Bleaklow suits experienced walkers looking for more remote ground and a tougher navigational challenge. Having both within reach is one of Manchester’s biggest advantages for people who want serious walking without travelling across the country.

“Kit note: The Dark Peak’s mix of peat, rock and often wet ground makes dependable footwear essential. Look for grippy soles, waterproof protection and enough support for longer days over uneven terrain.”

Number 2: Sheffield, a good excuse to stay out a little longer

Score: 9.57 out of 10

Campsites, wild swimming locations & OS Maps hiking routes within…

• 90 minutes by car: 330,008

• 90 minutes by public transport: 93,719

Camping is where Sheffield comes into its own.

The city has 233 campsites within 90 minutes by car, second only to York among the top five. It also has 23 campsites within reach by public transport, giving people without a car more overnight options than any other leading location (again, apart from York). 

East Peak Campsite is one option from the research to look into for a short stay. Keep the setup simple, and you’ll have more time to enjoy it. A tent, sleeping bag, camping mat, torch, easy food and a warm layer for later in the evening can cover what you need for a comfortable night.

If walking is more your thing, the Sheffield Round Walk gives you another route to explore. The 15-mile circular route links parks, woodland, valleys and open countryside around the city, so make sure you check the forecast, download the route before leaving and give yourself enough daylight to complete it.

Number 3: Choose the kind of adventure you’re in the mood for in Swindon

Score: 9.40 out of 10

Campsites, wild swimming locations & OS Maps hiking routes within…

• 90 minutes by car: 267,457

• 90 minutes by public transport: 43,283

Some weekends call for a walk and a slow afternoon. Others are made for a campsite booking, a swim or both.

Swindon gives you room to choose. Within 90 minutes by car, the research includes 223 campsites, 110 wild swimming locations and more than 267,000 OS Maps hiking routes.

Coate Water Country Park could be a good place to look into when you want fresh air without committing to a full-day route. Pack water, a snack and a layer that works with the forecast, then let the rest of the day take shape around it.

Number 3: Watford combines open water with Chiltern climbs

Score: 9.40 out of 10

Campsites, wild swimming locations & OS Maps hiking routes within…

• 90 minutes by car: 259,490

• 90 minutes by public transport: 53,020

Watford shares Swindon’s score, though it brings something different to the top five.

The research includes 151 wild swimming locations within 90 minutes by car, the highest number among the leading places. A further 27 fall within the public transport travel area.

That gives people plenty of waterside ideas to explore. 

Open water swimming at Merchant Taylors School is one option to explore. Just make sure to check permissions, local guidance and current conditions before making it part of the plan.

For a tougher day, the 16-mile Ashridge Estate Boundary Trail takes in ancient woodland, Ivinghoe Beacon and wide Chiltern views.

Calum Jones says: 

"Watford has woodland, open water and the Chiltern hills close at hand, giving local adventurers plenty of choice without requiring a long journey. Oxhey Woods works well for a shorter woodland route or evening session.

“For a tougher day, take on the 16-mile Ashridge Estate Boundary Trail. The route passes through ancient woodland and climbs towards Ivinghoe Beacon, where you’ll get wide views across the Chilterns. It is a substantial full-day alternative when you want more distance and varied terrain.

“Insider tip: Oxhey Woods and nearby Aldenham Country Park can be paired for a varied day outdoors, combining woodland trails with time beside the water without requiring a long journey between the two.”

Number 5: York is a gateway to the Wolds and North York Moors

Score: 9.19 out of 10

Campsites, wild swimming locations & OS Maps hiking routes within…

• 90 minutes by car: 182,430

• 90 minutes by public transport: 33,016

York is perfect for anyone who’s got camping on their mind.

It has 254 campsites within 90 minutes by car, the highest total among the leading locations. It also has 52 campsites within reach by public transport, giving people travelling light more overnight ideas than the other cities in the top five.

A night away can still feel like a break from routine, even when you haven’t travelled across the country to get there.

The Riverfront York could be a starting point for a short trip. If you’re travelling by public transport, it’s worth thinking carefully about what you’ll genuinely use. A compact tent, lighter sleeping kit and versatile layers can make the journey from station to pitch much easier.

Natalie Wolfenden says:

“York’s outdoor appeal stretches well beyond its historic streets. Local walkers looking for a full-day challenge can take on a section of the Cleveland Way around Sutton Bank and the Hambleton Hills, where the route combines climbing, exposed escarpments, heather moorland and far-reaching views.

“With so many campsites accessible from York, you can also extend a day on the trail into an overnight adventure. Choose camping equipment like a packable tent and low-bulk sleeping system, to keep the load manageable over longer distances.”

“Kit note: Exposed sections of the Cleveland Way can bring fast-changing weather, so a packable waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers are worth carrying for protection.”

How are you planning to travel?

The way you travel can shape the kind of day you have.

A car can open up a wider area, especially for rural campsites, trailheads and locations beyond major stations. But public transport can still make plenty of outdoor plans possible, particularly around cities with strong rail and bus connections.

For some people, a drive with friends might suit a camping weekend. For others, taking the train to a walking route with a small daypack is the easier option. Start with the travel method that fits your plans and see where your local area could take you.

What’s keeping people from adventure?

The weather is the biggest thing stopping people from spending more time outdoors, with 39% saying it puts them off. Time comes next, followed by the cost of travel or access.(1)

Regular walkers, swimmers and campers still have to fit adventure around work, family, travel costs and fast-changing forecasts. Having more outdoor options close to home creates extra chances to catch a weather window, explore new terrain or add an overnight without losing most of the day to travel.

A 90-minute journey can take you from city streets to high moorland, open water or a pitch under the stars. Here’s how to get more adventure from the time you’ve got:

• Go point to point. Link two rail or bus stops to create a route that keeps moving forwards, with new ground all the way.

• Make the terrain count. When time is tight, steep climbs and rough trails can bring more challenges to a shorter route.

• Have a wild-weather alternative. If conditions close in on the tops, switch high ground for woodland, valleys or a more sheltered trail.

• Keep a grab-and-go setup. Having your hiking, swimming or overnight kit ready means you can move quickly when the forecast and your free time line up.

• Wake up closer to the trail. Pitch the night before and you can start earlier, use more of the daylight and take on a bigger route.

Find the route that excites you, pack for the ground ahead and see how far 90 minutes can take you.

Methodology

Blacks and OS Maps analysed how many campsites, wild swimming spots and walking routes can be reached within 90 minutes of the UK's 50 most populated cities and towns.

We looked at two travel methods:

• 90 minutes by car

• 90 minutes by public transport

For each city/town, the number of accessible outdoor locations was calculated across six metrics:

• Campsites within 90 minutes by car

• Wild swimming spots within 90 minutes by car

• OS Maps app routes within 90 minutes by car

• Campsites within 90 minutes by public transport

• Wild swimming spots within 90 minutes by public transport

• OS Maps app routes within 90 minutes by public transport.

Campsite and OS Maps app route data was provided by Ordnance Survey. The OS Maps app's route data includes only publicly available routes; private routes are excluded. 

Wild swimming location data were sourced from Wild Open Water, with travel-time analysis conducted by Ordnance Survey.

Travel-time calculations were run using 90-minute isochrones to identify which locations could be reached from each city/town within the specified journey time. 

For public transport, calculations account for access to public transport and necessary walking connections, such as walking between stations/stops or from the final stop to the destination. However, public transport accessibility may vary depending on timetables, service availability, walking distance and how remote the final destination is.

To calculate the final ranking, each of the six metrics was normalised on a 0-10 scale. The final overall accessibility score was calculated by taking the average of the six normalised scores.

Note: Belfast was excluded from the final ranking because the Ordnance Survey does not hold the relevant transport network data for Northern Ireland.

Additional sources:

1. Survey of 1,500 UK respondents undertaken by Media Insight on behalf of Blacks between 2nd-7th April 2026.

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