Reluctant Explorers

Samantha Brown

Meet Samantha, 1/3 of the Reluctant Explorers….

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you like to get outside?

We are the Brown family. Mum (Sam), Edie and Ezra (aka The Reluctant Explorers). You will find us up in the Yorkshire Dales exploring the moors, swimming in the waterfalls and seeking out the caves!

Samantha Brown Reluctant Explorers

Why is there the ‘Reluctant’ part? Well as a Mum, I know that not all kids are as enthusiastic about getting outdoors as we are, so I also write bespoke Yorkshire Dales based family friendly walks, all designed specifically with kids in mind, to help get them outdoors and to be a little bit more excited about it!


What’s your favourite route or place to go and why?

Pen y Ghent and Hull Pot

The Reluctant Explorers’ Favourite Hiking Route – Pen-y-Ghent and Hull Pot

We are lucky enough to live on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, and so you’ll find us there in almost all our spare time. There are so many incredible places to visit, but one of our favourites is Pen-y-Ghent.

It’s a classic Yorkshire Dales walk! Pen-y-Ghent is the smallest of the peaks in the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge, but we think it’s the best. It offers incredible views, a fab little rocky scramble and if you’re lucky (and this is probably one of the only benefits to there being epic amounts of rain) you might get to see Hull Pot Beck pouring over the side of the immense collapsed cavern of Hull Pot, creating a spectacular waterfall! (If the rain is truly intense, it has been known on occasion to fill up all the way to the top, like some enormous bath tub!  

Want to find out more about how to start hiking?

Read our complete guide to Hiking for Beginners, everything you need to get started from essential equipment to fitness and safety advice – Hiking For Beginners


What’s your fave bit of kit available on the OS Shop?

As a trainee Hill & Moorland leader, it’s got to be the Silva Expedition 4 Compass! This is the compass I have and whilst the traditional navigation methods are often overlooked, I am passionate in promoting the use of the good old fashioned methods and for teaching these to our kids from a young age!

compass_transp

EXPLORE THE

OS Shop

We are with you every step of the way. Shop our trusted walking and hiking kit
so you can explore the outdoors with confidence.

Go to the shop

Find and follow Samantha Brown and The Reluctant Explorers online:

Instagram: @thereluctantexplorers
Website and Blog: The Reluctant Explorers: Yorkshire Walking With Kids

Read more

Hiking for Beginners – A Complete Guide

June 18, 2024
13 min read

Hiking for beginners, a complete guide to hiking safety, hiking fitness and the best UK Routes for beginners

Read more
beginners_guide_contour_lines_hero.d635ad0f1f03d16ac80ae9884a3c9df0

A beginners guide to understanding map contour lines

June 5, 2022
2 min read

Learn the use and meaning of contour lines on a map and understand how to use them to when you’re out and about or planning routes. Understanding contours will improve your map reading skills.

Read more
wasdale-head-1200

8 Epic Lake District walks you need to do

July 30, 2017
5 min read

It’s no secret that the Lake District is one of the most beautiful places in England with some epic walks to boot. Walker and cyclist Jamie Knop has listed eight of the most epic Lake District walks you need to tick off your bucket list.