OS Champion

Phillipa Cherryson

Meet Phillipa Cherryson – Outdoor enthusiast, horse and dog lover, writer and cake fan.

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you like to get outside?

I’m a digital journalist and I’ve lived in Bannau Brycheiniog National Park for more than 25 years.

I’m deputy chair of the park’s Local Access Forum which advises on all issues affecting access within the park.

My passion is introducing people to the outdoors, I’m the chief volunteer queen for Adventure Queens South Wales, a not-for-profit community working to increase women’s participation in outdoors activities – I organise day walks, weekend campouts, through hikes and instructor-led events.

I was never very good at sports at school and started exploring the outdoors later in life – I got my first pair of rock shoes when I turned 50! For me being outdoors isn’t about who’s the fastest or the best – it’s about embracing the sights, the sounds, the space and how amazing it makes you feel.

Touch Grass

Phillipa was one of our intrepid ‘Outsiders’ in the recent Touch Grass Series. With maps and backpack in hand, our OS Outsiders teamed up with 3 giants of social media who didn’t know their tent poles from their walking sticks, decoding clues and taking on challenges along the way. Which team will emerge victorious in the ultimate test of skill, teamwork, and exploring the great outdoors?

Find Out More

What’s your favourite route or place to go and why?

Phillipa Cherryson’s Favourite Hiking Route – Skirrid Spring Walk

This route on Ysgyryd Fawr (The Skirrid) is one I’ve walked for more than 25 years and is extra special in spring because of the carpets of bluebells on the lower slopes. All the paths are clearly marked and after a steepish climb you walk through woodland round the mountain to its north face where you climb to the summit. From there it’s a gorgeous ridge walk (all slightly downhill) taking in views of the Black Mountains, across to Gloucestershire and down to Abergavenny. Then finally its back through the woods to the car park. It is a great night walk too – but don’t forget your headtorch!

Skirrid Spring Walk

Want to find out more about how to start hiking?

Read our complete guide to Hiking for Beginners, everything you need to get started from essential equipment to fitness and safety advice – Hiking For Beginners

What’s your fave bit of kit available on the OS Shop?

It rains a lot in the Welsh mountains and that means I always pack all my gear in dry bags in my rucksack – even when there’s no rain predicted. I absolutely love these OS dry bags! They feature the three peaks and mean I know what’s in each bag. Ben Nevis has my insulating layers; Snowdon my food and snacks and Scaffell Pike my electrical gear, such as power banks and head torch. I use them virtually every day, they haven’t let me down and they bring a smile to my face.

Shop Dry Bags