An American Outdoorsman moving to the UK!

ReauxboCop

Member
Nov 15, 2021
13
21
RAF Mildenhall
Hello all!

My wife and I are getting stationed in the UK (US Military) and will move shortly.
This will be my first time across the pond!
I am a Police Officer by trade and an Eagle Scout. I am primarily an ultralight backpacker but love anything outdoors.

I would love to make some connections and would greatly appreciate any suggestions for camping and hiking in the UK or Europe in general!
 

SaraR

Full Member
Mar 25, 2017
1,651
1,209
Ceredigion
Hello all!

My wife and I are getting stationed in the UK (US Military) and will move shortly.
This will be my first time across the pond!
I am a Police Officer by trade and an Eagle Scout. I am primarily an ultralight backpacker but love anything outdoors.

I would love to make some connections and would greatly appreciate any suggestions for camping and hiking in the UK or Europe in general!
Hi and welcome!

The UK has loads of great places for walking and hiking, some of it very remote despite not actually being very far away. My two pieces of advice would be to read up on access rights (link to get you started below) and the various rights of way & to keep in mind that the weather can deteriorate fast at any time of year, so go prepared.

Good starting point for rights of way and right to roam

Also keep in mind that the rules differ between the four nations, so if you go travelling you need to read up on the rules for each country.

If you want suggestions of good places to go and what to expect, look up the various long-distance walks. There are several national trails and a great many others, all with plenty of info on them available online. The coastal paths, for instance, are amazing.

Oh, and don't underestimate the hills and mountains just because they "don't look that big". :)
 

TeeDee

Full Member
Nov 6, 2008
10,980
4,092
50
Exeter
Hi and welcome!

The UK has loads of great places for walking and hiking, some of it very remote despite not actually being very far away. My two pieces of advice would be to read up on access rights (link to get you started below) and the various rights of way & to keep in mind that the weather can deteriorate fast at any time of year, so go prepared.

Good starting point for rights of way and right to roam

Also keep in mind that the rules differ between the four nations, so if you go travelling you need to read up on the rules for each country.

If you want suggestions of good places to go and what to expect, look up the various long-distance walks. There are several national trails and a great many others, all with plenty of info on them available online. The coastal paths, for instance, are amazing.

Oh, and don't underestimate the hills and mountains just because they "don't look that big". :)

An excellent and well thought out Welcome.
 

TeeDee

Full Member
Nov 6, 2008
10,980
4,092
50
Exeter
Hello all!

My wife and I are getting stationed in the UK (US Military) and will move shortly.
This will be my first time across the pond!
I am a Police Officer by trade and an Eagle Scout. I am primarily an ultralight backpacker but love anything outdoors.

I would love to make some connections and would greatly appreciate any suggestions for camping and hiking in the UK or Europe in general!

Welcome to the UK.

I hope you have a Cast iron frying pan.

Can i enquire what IS an Eagle scout? How is it different to what I assume is a normal Scout? Thank You.
 
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santaman2000

M.A.B (Mad About Bushcraft)
Jan 15, 2011
16,909
1,120
68
Florida
@TeeDee, "Eagle Scout is one of the ranks you can achieve in the BSA. It's the highest rank and will get you advanced rank when enlisting in the military (Eagle Scouts come in as an E3 rather than an E1) It also gives a slight edge on a civilian resume.
 

ReauxboCop

Member
Nov 15, 2021
13
21
RAF Mildenhall
Hi, welcome and enjoy.
If you happen to be getting stationed in Suffolk, check out our group.
You'll be very welcome.
We are doing a virtual walk through for a house in Suffolk tomorrow. I just requested to be added to the FB group. Thank you!
 

ReauxboCop

Member
Nov 15, 2021
13
21
RAF Mildenhall
Welcome to the UK.

I hope you have a Cast iron frying pan.

Can i enquire what IS an Eagle scout? How is it different to what I assume is a normal Scout? Thank You.
Oh yes, I most certainly do. I am from the southern US, cast iron is a requirement in all kitchens! My wife (northerner) tried to wash my cast iron with soap and water once. I about had a heart attack!

Eagle Scout is the highest rank in the American Boy Scouts. I believe the equivalent in British Boy Scouts is the St. George award or the Gold Award.
 

ReauxboCop

Member
Nov 15, 2021
13
21
RAF Mildenhall
Hello and welcome!

Where will you be based?
There are plenty of places in the UK to hike - we have some lovely national parks and stuff.

Welcome, I hope you like it here and thanks for your service!
We will be in Suffolk. I am a civilian and my wife is military. I’m hoping to find employment near Lakenheath or Mildenhall.

I am very much looking forward to exploring the National Parks. Quite particularly, I am very excited to see Churchill’s war room!
 

ReauxboCop

Member
Nov 15, 2021
13
21
RAF Mildenhall
Hello n welcome, if you’re in the suffolk/Norfolk area there’s plenty to do!
Thanks! We will be in Suffolk! I think the biggest challenge will be learning to drive on the other side of the road
Hi and welcome!

The UK has loads of great places for walking and hiking, some of it very remote despite not actually being very far away. My two pieces of advice would be to read up on access rights (link to get you started below) and the various rights of way & to keep in mind that the weather can deteriorate fast at any time of year, so go prepared.

Good starting point for rights of way and right to roam

Also keep in mind that the rules differ between the four nations, so if you go travelling you need to read up on the rules for each country.

If you want suggestions of good places to go and what to expect, look up the various long-distance walks. There are several national trails and a great many others, all with plenty of info on them available online. The coastal paths, for instance, are amazing.

Oh, and don't underestimate the hills and mountains just because they "don't look that big". :)
Thank you so much! I greatly appreciate the advice.
 

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