MONEY-SAVING TIPS FOR COUNTRYSIDE EXPLORERS

As the cost of living rises, travel writers Julie Brominicks and Dixe Wills offer their top tips on how to enjoy outdoor holidays without breaking the bank

1. THE PERKS OF VOLUNTEERING

Whatever your passion - be it steam trains, birds or folk festivals - volunteering gets you in free and is usually enriching. A man I met on one canal told me volunteering for the Canal and River Trust had saved his life by giving him purpose and the tranquillity of water. WWOOFing (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) is a great way to access rural life. Check your local Wildlife Trust or RSPB reserve for cheap or free walks or events. JB

2. SEARCH OUT BARGAIN KIT

Grandma Gatewood hiked the Appalachian Trail in canvas shoes and slept under a shower curtain, while Guardian Country Diarist Harry Griffin started rock climbing using his mum's washing line. I cannot, from my privileged ablebodied position, advise recklessness - good boots on hazardous terrain, for example, can save your skin - but not all kit is essential. While quick-drying clothes are important, I often prefer old and threadbare to pricey technical textiles.

And while some brands make kit that really lasts, others do not. Look for bargains on eBay and in charity shops. JB

3. BIRDING ON A BUDGET

Many of the UK's bird observatories present the chance to see cracking avian life and offer very economical accommodation, too. Located in picturesque coastal sites, the observatories have dorms or private rooms, usually with a kitchen so you can cook. They're all going cheep. DW

4. CHEAPER CAMPING