STAYCATION
Going nowhere? Then do it in style with this must-have gear for the British Isles
BERGHAUS MAITLAND GORE-TEX WATERPROOF TROUSERS
British summers may be quite warm, but they’re also wet, so be prepared by having a pair of these overtrousers in your backpack. Fully waterproof and with an articulated fit so as not to restrain movement, they have zip-adjustable ankles to make it easy to get on over your boots as soon as the heavens open.
£99, berghaus.com
TOLLY McRAE FOX
If you’re going to spend the summer snacking around the UK then a picnic rug is the ideal accessory for your car boot. Rolled in a chestnut brown leather carrier strap, this 190x150cm orange woollen picnic blanket is perfect for picnics, but is soft enough to use as a blanket if you’re still outside when the evening steals the afternoon. £125, tollymcrae.co.uk
THINKTANK STREETWALKER PRO V2
If you used the time you found yourself with in the last year to reacquaint yourself with your DSLR or mirrorless camera then you’ll be itching to get snapping beyond your back garden. A lightweight backpack that takes two camera bodies/lenses and fits a 300mm lens, it’s comfortable to wear all day, can take a large tripod and also holds a 10-inch tablet.
£156, thinktankphoto.com
VONHAUS GEO PICNIC
You need to perfect your picnicware. If enjoying the British countryside is about long lunches with your lover, tuck in to this picnic backpack for two. Inside is a 17-piece dining set, wine glasses, a corkscrew with bottle opener, an insulated compartment to keep contents cool and a water bottle holder. Comes with a matching picnic blanket.
£31.99, vonhaus.com
1 NIKON PROSTAFF 7S 10X30
If you’ve not got a decent pair of binoculars in your glovebox you’re not car-touring properly. Ideal for spotting dolphins off the west coast, birds of prey or even stars in the sky, these waterproof and fog-free binoculars weighing 420g are designed for wildlife observation and light enough to hold for long periods. £179.99, nikon.co.uk
2 EMBER MUG2 SMART STAINLESS STEEL TRAVEL MUG
Whether you’re car touring or hiking, a hot cuppa is never far away with this smart flask. Allowing you to set your ideal drinking temperature to the precise degree using an app, this 355ml flask maintains that temperature for about two hours. £180, ember.com
3 SONY CYBERSHOT RX100 VII
A so- called ‘travel camera’ with a big sensor, this pocket-sized shooter from Sony is the best around in its niche. With improved autofocus and video stabilisation, it’s got a 24-200mm zoom lens and a sharp-looking three-inch LCD that flips over for selfies and vlogging. A quality all-round point-and-shoot. £1,200, sony.co.uk