Nominations are open for our tenth annual Reader Awards – let us know about the people, places and businesses that make your outdoor life better, and check out our new categories this year!
Please note that nominations are now closed and shortlists have been announced. Please vote in our Awards here.
In 2012, we launched our first annual Reader Awards, and they’ve come a long way since then. Last year – a strange and difficult year for us all – was our best ever with over 12,000 votes, perhaps reflecting our renewed appreciation for the mountains and countryside that give us solace in trying times.
With the easing of restrictions this year, the mountains have become more accessible once again in 2021, and many of us have returned to them enthusiastically. We’re also seeing a new generation head for the hills for the first time. This year there have been important new conservation and environmental campaigns to meet the challenges of a changing climate, gear brands responding to the needs of new hill-goers, and even new campsites to cater for increased demand. The need for encouragement, inclusivity and education is greater than ever too.
With fresh voices to be heard and new achievements to be recognised, this year we are pleased to announce two new categories:
- Outdoor film or filmmaker of the year. On the big screen or on YouTube, outdoor films help us connect with the great outdoors even when we can’t be there ourselves.
- The Open Outdoors award. Recognising individuals or groups who have inspired people to head into the outdoors, widened participation, improved outdoor education, or encouraged diversity.
As always, our Awards include favourite categories such as pub of the year, book or writer of the year, app of the year, and much more. We hope that you’ll take the opportunity to nominate the people, places and organisations that really deserve it — maybe the overlooked, the new and emerging voices, those who have never been shortlisted before. To help give everyone a chance, we’re asking that you only nominate any given person, place or organisation in a single category, not several.
Readers of the magazine and members of the public can nominate in any or all of the categories listed below, and nominations are open now. To learn about previous winners, click here.
The Categories
Walkers’ pub of the year
Your favourite place for a post-walk pint or quality pub grub.
Walkers’ cafe or restaurant of the year
Anywhere with sit-down dining, from chippies upwards.
Hostel or bunkhouse of the year
Casual accommodation catering for muddy boots.
Campsite of the year
Celebrate excellent locations, friendly staff and great facilities.
Walkers’ app of the year
Anything you use on your mobile device to aid your outdoor adventures.
Outdoor personality of the year
Who has inspired you in 2021?
Outdoor book or writer of the year
Guidebooks, memoirs, novels, photographic books and more.
Outdoor film or filmmaker of the year
On the big screen or on YouTube, outdoor films help us connect with the great outdoors even when we can’t be there ourselves.
Campaign or campaigner of the year
Inspiring campaigns that matter to walkers on access, conservation, and environment.
The Open Outdoors award
Recognising individuals or groups who have inspired people to head into the outdoors, widened participation, improved outdoor education, or encouraged diversity.
The Extra Mile award
Outstanding voluntary effort helps make a real difference to our experience in the outdoors. The Extra Mile award encompasses rangers, Mountain Rescue teams and personnel, and anyone else who volunteers their time for the benefit of the countryside and other walkers.
Independent retailer of the year
Retailers who operate independently, with five or fewer stores.
Chain retailer of the year
Outdoor retailers with six or more stores.
Online retailer of the year
Your favourite places to buy gear, maps and books online.
Outdoor clothing or equipment brand of the year
Gear brands with consistently high-quality, good-value kit or with commendable customer service.
After the shortlists have been announced, voting will take place online and end on November 22. Winners will be announced in a subsequent issue of The Great Outdoors.
Header image (C) Shutterstock / Diffracting Light
