The United Kingdom and Ireland have not only a fine tradition of outdoor pursuits, but also a history of high quality, well written printed periodicals to support these. Some of these have become classic, much loved or, occasionally, much missed publications. In more recent years, there have also appeared a number of quite niche publications, some last, others do not.

It is evident that those most long lasted of magazines and journals has often been where a high standard of editorship has been maintained- the editor keeping an eye on the needs of the subscribers and how best to meet them with good authors and articles. Also where such a journal has a specialised and dedicated following whose needs are not being met elsewhere, or alternatively are more part of membership ‘package’.

The standard of photography too has risen to meet the requirements of a demanding readership. The last thirty years of the 21st century in particular saw the inclusion of some striking photography in many magazines. The photographers battling against the elements in desolate, high or isolated places to bring home amazing cover shots. This has more recently deteriorated into an almost generic form whereby an individual or couple, invariably smiling at each other, can be seen in the latest shiny gear on test, striding energetically across a landscape. Sadly this has also been at the expense of good art, now infrequently observed in many magazines and club journals. There are quite a few outstanding e-format ‘zines to be found online these days. No doubt these will continue to thrive. We are, today, probably witnessing the last dying cries of a printed medium, before almost everything is pushed into digital format. It will be a sad loss.

I have included below those printed magazines and journals of which I am aware. Do note that I have concentrated on UK and Irish magazines though many of these have featured overseas destinations and writers. There are no doubt many gaps and probably a handful of errors. Also, I am familiar with few of the older publications. Feel free to get in touch with any corrections or suggested additions.

Backpack

Quarterly journal of the Backpackers Club, circulated to members Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Bicycle

1940s-50s rival to Cycling. The two eventually merged

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bushcraft & Survival Skills

Six issues per year. Commenced 2006.

Purpleheart Wood ltd.

 

 

 

 

Camper

1980s

 

Camping

10 issues per year.

Published by Warners Group Publications Ltd.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Camping & Caravanning

Monthly magazine of the Camping and Caravanning Club

 

Canoe and Kayak UK

Monthly magazine focused on UK canoeing.

Warner publishing. Began March 2001, ran until 2014

 

 

Canoeist

Monthly magazine.

Founded in 1953 as White Water Magazine. Became a solely digital format c2005

Published by S.T. & R.J. Fisher

 

 

 

 

Caravan and Motorhome

Monthly club magazine, also on sale to the general public. Caravan Club renamed Caravan and Motorhome Club in 2017

Printed by Wyndeham Bicecester, published by the Caravan and Motorhome Club

 

 

Climb

Monthly magazine from Greenshires publishing

 

Climber 1962 – 1968, Climber and Hillwalker, Climber and Rambler 1969 – 1986 (incorporates Mountain Life), back as Climber from 1986

Climber [published by George Outram & Co. Ltd.

published by Holmes McDougall, Glasgow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CompassSport

First appeared 1979. Published six times a year.

“Britain’s National Orienteering Magazine”

 

Countryfile

13 issues per year.

Published by Immediate Media Co. Ltd., under licence from BBC Worldwide

 

 

 

 

 

Country Walking

Monthly magazine published by Bauer Consumer Media.

Launched in 1986

 

 

 

 

 

 

Countrygoer

Quarterly magazine (book) first published Spring 1944

Later merged with Out of Doors

 

Crags

Mountaineering magazine

 

 

 

Cycle– CTC magazine

CTC (Cyclists’ Touring Club) Members magazine, published six times a year

Since 2016, CTC called Cycling UK

 

 

 

 

 

Cycling, later Cycling Weekly

First published by Edmund Dangerfield Printing Company (January 1891–1894), then Temple Press (1895–1964), Go Magazine (1964–1967), Longacre Press (1967–1970), IPC Magazines (now IPC Media) from 1970.

From Jun 1957 until early 1960s, magazine title briefly changed to Cycling and Mopeds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Cyclist

Published every Wednesday by George Newnes Ltd.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cycling Active

Published 13 times per year by Time Inc. Media.

First available September 2009. Relaunched October 2015. Last published September 2016. Magazine then incorporated with Cycle Sport into Cycling Weekly.

 

 

 

 

 

Descent

1969 – present

Bi-monthly magazine dedicated to underground exploration.

Originally published by Gloster Publications. Later, Wild Places Publishing

 

 

 

 

En Route

Bi-monthly magazine for members of the Caravan Club.

First issue of The Club’s magazine, En Route, published 1 January 1963. Last edition circa 1997.

Published by The Caravan Club. Caravan Club renamed Caravan and Motorhome Club in 2017

 

 

 

The Field

Monthly magazine. Current publisher is TI Media.

Published as a weekly magazine from 1853.

“the premier Field Sports and country magazine and champions rural pursuits, people and the environment”

 

 

 

 

The Great Outdoors

‘TGO’ magazine published every four weeks by Kelsey Media.

“written for Hillwalkers by Hillwalkers”

First published in 1978. It was the first commercially produced magazine devoted to walking.

 

 

Hiker & Camper

1930s magazine. First published February 1931. Dedicated to hikers, ramblers and campers

 

High

Followed on from Mountain magazine, last published February 2005

Monthly magazine of the British Mountaineering Council. Published by David Green Printers Ltd.

 

 

 

 

 

Lakeland Walker

Bi-monthly magazine dedicated to walking in the Lake District

Published by Dalesman Publishing

 

Land and Water

 

Mountain, became High

Mountaineering, becomes Mountain Life (1972-1976), after four years becomes Climber and Rambler

Originally BMC until magazine incorporated with Climber and Rambler

 

On The Edge

‘OTE’, climbing magazine, ended December  2004

“remember you climb to do hard routes, not enjoy yourself”

Published by Greenshires Print Ltd.

Issues for February, March, April, May, June, July August, October, November, December

 

 

 

 

Out of Doors

Monthly magazine. Later incorporated Countrygoer.

Published by Open Air Publications Ltd.

The magazine of the Open Air

 

 

 

 

 

Outdoor Adventure Guide

First published in 1995 under the name Summer Alpine Guide. A thrice-yearly (April, June, August) magazine released by ski-ing magazine Fall-Line Ski-iing to suggest, mostly, summer outdoor activities for skiers

 

 

 

 

Outdoor Enthusiast

Primarily digital format magazine. Also available in print form. Four editions (seasonally) a year. First published September 2004.

“Outdoor Enthusiast is the UK’s only multi-activity outdoor magazine”

Followed by Foot by Foot walking guide launched April 2007. Re-branded as Top Trails Guide in 2012

Published by Target Publishing Ltd.

 

Outdoor Fitness

Monthly magazine from Kelsey Publishing-

“multi-sport, multi-activity”

Dedicated to fitness and training advice for readers undertaking outdoor challenges.

 

 

Outdoor Ireland

 

Over the Hills

Magazine of the Holiday Fellowship. Originally published twice or three times per annum. Priced at 4d per copy when introduced autumn 1920

 

 

 

 

 

Popular Camping

Monthly magazine. First published circa 1960.

Published by Caravan Publications Ltd. Link House Group

 

 

 

 

 

Practical Camper

Monthly magazine, first published circa 1966.

Published by Haymarket Publishing Ltd.

 

 

 

 

The Rambler

Magazine of the Ramblers Association.

Magazine was called Ramblers’ News 1949-1960, Rucksack 1960-1986, Rucksack Rambler, thereafter Rambling today

Published by Raven Marketing Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Rucksack Club Journal

Published annually, also Meetstaff, quarterly

First published 1902

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rucksack Rambler, later Rambler

Magazine of the Ramblers Association. Published by David Green Printers Ltd.

Magazine was called Ramblers’ News 1949-1960, Rucksack 1960-1986, Rucksack Rambler, thereafter

 

 

 

 

 

Scottish Hosteller

From 1976- magazine of the Scottish Youth Hostel Association (later Hostelling Scotland)

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Searcher

Monthly magazine on metal detecting published by Warners Group Publications (formerly published by Token Publishing Ltd.)

“The informed voice of metal detecting”

 

 

 

 

Sheffield Clarion Ramblers’ Handbook

Published annually by the Sheffield Clarion Ramblers. 1900 to 1958

Measuring just 3″ x 5″, gave information on walking in the Peak District, alongside local culture, history and geology.

A classic!

 

 

 

 

Sidetracked

Focuses on adventurous global travel and extreme sports.

Began as a website in 2011, moved to print in 2014 as a bi-monthly publication. Now published online and in print form tri-annually.

Offers an an annual grant to explorers through its adventure fund.

Published in UK by Sidetracked (a division of Captive Minds Communication Group Ltd.)

 

 

Singletrack

Mountain biking magazine published six times a year. First published 2001. Later available in a variety of digital formats.

Warners Group Publications.

 

 

 

 

Strider

Journal of the Long Distance Walkers Association

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summit

Quarterly journal of the BMC, dedicated to climbing/walking/mountaineering

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trail

Monthly magazine published by Bauer Consumer Media.

Sister title to Country Walking magazine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trek and Mountain

Monthly magazine

First published October 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

Treasure Hunt

Monthly magazine from Greenlight Publishing

“Britain’s best selling metal detecting magazine”

First UK magazine dedicated to metal detecting First published 1977.

 

 

 

 

UK Cache Mag

Magazine launched in 2012- Dedicated to Geocaching.

“highlights the people, culture and community of what has been claimed as the fastest growing outdoor pursuit worldwide”

 

 

 

 

 

Walk

Quarterly magazine of the Ramblers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walking World Ireland

Commenced 1993.

Published quarterly by Athletic Promotions Ltd.

 

 

 

 

 

Women’s Walking

Published bi-monthly by Wild Bunch Media.

First published 2013. Final issue March/April 2016

Also available- women’s cycling, women’s running, men’s running

 

 

 

 

The Youth Hosteller

First published quarterly, then monthly

Official magazine of the Youth Hostel Association (England and Wales). Preceded by The Rucksack (1932-1956), then retitled as The Youth Hosteller (1956-February 1972). Replaced by Hostelling News (Spring 1972-Summer 1985). Then YHA Magazine, rebranded as YHA Triangle (-Autumn 1994). A variety of publications followed.

Published by the Youth Hostels Association (England and Wales)