Millets is thrilled to announce that Julia Bradbury and Peter Storm are teaming up. Peter Storm is available at Millets, a bestseller which our outdoor community love for its great quality gear which allows everyone to get outdoors, whatever their budget.
We recently chatted to Julia to discuss her love of UK adventure, her favourite walks and her advice for those looking to hear outdoors; plus, share her thoughts on teaming up with Peter Storm.
About Julia
Julia Bradbury is best known for her presenting roles on iconic outdoor programmes including BBC One’s ‘Countryfile’, ‘The Greek Islands with Julia Bradbury, and ‘Cornwall and Devon Walks with Julia Bradbury. Like us, Julia is a strong advocate for the brilliant places across the UK which are Made for Adventure, inspiring everyone to see the hidden gems often close to their doorsteps.
Julia began explore the UK with her dad as a child, who introduced her to the Peak District which created a lasting impact. As an adult, she shares the benefits of passing that passion for outdoor adventure onto the next generation, always taking her family into the UK’s wild places.
Thanks for talking to us Julia. How did your passion for walking and the outdoors start?
My Dad took me walking in the Peak District when I was a little dot, in the very same territory that he’d grown up in and explored when he walked as a boy (around Buxton, Stanage Edge and the Dovedale Valley). I’ll never forget those days and years spent with him hiking across craggy landscapes, and it’s only now I’ve lived a little I understand what a gift he gave me - learning to love green spaces - and realising how much we all need them.
Where are your top 5 most beautiful walks in the UK and why?
My top 5 favourite walks in the UK are:
- Dovedale valley along the River Dove - reminds me of walking with Dad when I was a little girl; plus, it is gorgeous and peaceful along the river.
- Castle Crag in the Lake District – there are plenty of mighty walks in the Lakes but this fell has a special charm.
- Black-a Tor Copse in Dartmoor - I am a tree lover and hugger. These incredible living organisms that filter our air, water and soil are just magical (and essential) and this high altitude ancient oak woodland is remote enough to mean visitors need to be fairly determined to get there and bathe in it’s magic.
- The West Highland Way - in the Scottish Highlands is quite a commitment, but you can choose sections of this wild and dramatic hike to take on, if you’re not quite up for the full 96 miles.
- Isles of Scilly - around the island of St Martins. I’m lucky enough to have been to the IOS a few times and I adore all of them, but this is the walk I filmed for my Cornwall and Devon Walks series for ITV and I can’t get enough of the ridiculously long pristine white sandy beaches and stunning shorelines of these islands. The Scillonians are lovely.
What are your top tips for beginner walkers when it comes to starting out?
Start with friends so you can share the sense of discovery and achievement together (great for bonding too). Never go hiking in brand new boots – as lovely as it is to unpack them – a good pair of walking boots is a worn in pair. Wear them at home/to the shops/on the treadmill. You should also invest in a comfortable good fitting backpack - nobody wants sore shoulders and back ache heading out. For maintaining body temperature, I wear layers… and pack a few more in my rucksack. You can always strip off or layer up.
Do your children share your passion for the outdoors and what advice would you give to parents looking to inspire their children to spend more time outside?
They have no choice! One of my (twin) girls takes a bit more persuading but once she’s out, she’s running along like the rest of us. We learn about the trees and flowers together, listen to the birds, play games along the way and chat. Make it a mini-adventure for them when they’re younger and they’ll grow to love it. I have a great phone-app too that helps identify plants and flowers which they like using for ‘research’. We take a notebook out with us to keep a log of what we’ve seen.
Is there anywhere in the UK that you're yet to explore that you'd like to go and visit?
I’m not sure there is -sometimes I get to places and go ‘oh yes, I’ve been here!’ but any mountain, park or river looks completely different one day to the next, so I like revisiting places…I especially love woodland walks - and I haven’t explored too much of Ireland. I was born in Dublin and I’d like to visit the Glengarriff Nature reserve in West Cork.
About Peter Storm
Peter Storm began in 1954 when former Royal Marine, Noel Bibby, set about creating practical nylon rainwear for town and trail. Bibby was credited with inventing the now iconic cagoule, a long waterproof layer with a hood but no full front zip. Named after the French word for a cowl or monk’s hood, the original cagoule had an over-the-head design and is still popular and in production today.
Peter Storm continues to be a favourite for families, walkers, campers and everyday adventurers across the globe! The extensive range of men's, women's and kids' clothing and footwear from Peter Storm provides function, form and fun - without breaking the bank. With a mission to make the great outdoors accessible to all, Peter Storm products are tried and tested to ensure they deliver on practicality and weather beating performance for UK adventure.
Explore a New Area
We are all programmed to seek discovery. We're very lucky to have so many amazing places across the UK which are Made for Adventure. Why not take a look at our extensive collection of attractions, walks and inspiring vistas in our Made for Adventure hub. We even have tips on how to explore your first National Park, or climb your first big peak.
