FAQ

The key things you need to bring on a group walk are:
A sturdy pair of walking shoes or boots (see faq below for more information).
If rain is forecast, it is preferable to wear a waterproof jacket and trousers. Furthermore we would recommend bringing a waterproof jacket on any walk.
A full water bottle, we recommend a minimum of 2 litres.
A packed lunch for a full day walk
A rucksack to carry your things
A notebook and pen
Your camera/smart phone. We enjoy taking photos and encourage you to as well.

The key things you need to bring on a the naviagtion course are:
A sturdy pair of walking shoes or boots (see faq below for more information).
If rain is forecast, it is preferable to wear a waterproof jacket and trousers. Furthermore we would recommend bringing a waterproof jacket on any walk.
A full water bottle, we recommend a minimum of 2 litres.
A packed lunch
A rucksack to carry your things
Your camera/smart phone. We enjoy taking photos and encourage you to as well.

Please bring a packed lunch and any snacks you would like. If we have a home base for the day then there will be tea and coffee supplies, if we are out on a group walk then you need to bring any food and drink you need for the time we are out.

At the moment, we do not provide externally ratified courses, and as such you won’t recive a certificate. However, if you need, or want a certificate have a chat and I’m sure we can russle up something!

We will send a medical form for you to fill out before you join us, so you will be able to let us know. However, we do ask that participants bring a packed lunch so that you can cater to your own allergies and preferences.

This allows us to provide you with the best level of support, and be aware of anything we need to keep an eye on. It’s a standard practice when heading away from a built up area to know the background of your participants. This is a no-judgement space, we can support anyone to come on our courses, of all fitness and confidence levels. We only ask that if you have personal medication that you may need throughout the day that you carry this with you.

This will be emailed to you when you book onto an activity. If you haven’t recived it please contact us.

Bramble and Gorse is run by Mark and Erica who are experienced outdoor instructors. Take a look at the about page to find out more about us, or the blog for recent adventures.

Both Mark and Erica have been Outdoor Instructors for a number of years, and have the formal qualifications to back this up. In addition all our free time is spent improving our skills and getting out on our own adventures. Take a look at the about page for some more details.

Both Mark and Erica have degrees in Natural Sciences and an interest in the surrounding Environment. They are full of random facts, so you will go away filled with knowledge about the outdoors.

A good pair of shoes that fit you are important, and there is a lot of individual preference. Key features for a sturdy pair of shoes for the outdoors should have:
A good sole for gripping uneven ground
Good support for your foot – preferably ankle support
Be waterproof, at minimum water resistant
Fit well to avoid any blisters

Waterproofs need a little TLC from time to time. Using a rewaterproofing solution such as NikWax can make your kit feel brand new again.

Have a look at the suggested kit for the course or group walk in the faq above. If you don’t have any of those things, get in touch. We know that starting a new skill can be expensive if you feel like you need to purchase everything, there are some great resources out there for second hand kit. A sensible pair of shoes is the most important thing – something that will be supportive and the right size will help you enjoy being outside.

We like to use a range of forecasts for the best accuracy and this is something we talk about on our courses. Met Office is a great reference, especially with Mountain Forecasts avalible. Checking the forecast is important – it tells us how much sun cream to pack!

We will provide OS maps for our courses and group walks, however, if you have your own feel free to bring it along.

If you have a health condition that means you need to carry medication we would advise brining that with you. We carry a First Aid kit for standard walking injuries such as scrapes and sprains. If you are unsure about any speicfic first aid equipment please do get in touch before your activity.