With no plans, I set off from John O’Groats to travel down south to Dover. Friends and family didn’t think I’d last a mileSince coming to England from Ethiopia eight years ago, I’ve lost parts of my cultural identity. I was stuck in a monotonous, isolated routine studying for a biochemistry degree at Imperial College London, without the family-centred lifestyle I was used to. Back in Ethiopia, I’d be surrounded by my aunt, grandparents, friends.So this year, I took 12 months out and moved t

Emulating the bike-friendly highways enjoyed by our continental neighbours will take a lot more money and political willEver since Team GB’s velodrome successes at the 2008 Olympics, campaigners and government ministers have confidently predicted that Britain is about to become a nation of cyclists. There is just one problem: for the most part, it has not happened.Apart from a very concentrated spike in bike use during Covid, the level of cycle trips in England has stayed broadly static for yea

Wondering what to get the nature lover in your life? Our outdoor enthusiast curates the must-haves: Loop earplugs, Yeti Rambler and moreThe 163 best holiday gift ideas for 2025, vetted by the Guardian US staffSign up for the Filter US newsletter, your weekly guide to buying fewer, better thingsWhether you know someone who camps every weekend or just enjoys morning coffee outside, you already know: outdoorsy people can be particular about their gear. They want to stay both comfortable and safe in