Helpful Outdoor Holiday Apps

Holidays provide you with the ideal opportunity to escape the bombardment of everyday technology and rediscover the simpler things in life. There are, however, a few nifty bits of tech that can prove extremely useful when you’re out exploring the South West wilds.

Here are some helpful mobile apps, currently available for download, all designed to help you reconnect with the great outdoors…

App for Devon

App for Devon is a free download that aims to place Devon’s top attractions and activities at your fingertips. Come rain or shine, this handy app is a great resource to have tucked away on your home screen. Categories also include; the great outdoors, eating and drinking, shopping, nightlife, what’s on, offers and vouchers and general info.

New Forest Cycle Route App

Use a GPS locator to track your progress in real-time with waymarkers and landmarks showing up on your screen, as well as the most popular sights and attractions, pubs, cafes, restaurants and food stops. Discover the New Forest’s delightful tracks ‘n’ trails and even hire you bikes online with this free download.

Ramblers Routes

It’s an online library of more than 3,000 of the most popular walking routes in the UK. From woodland paths to moorland ways, this insightful app includes Ordnance Survey Landranger Explorer maps and elevation profiles. This ever-expanding collection stores anything from a short stroll to a lengthy hike. These Ramblers Routes have all been checked by experienced walkers and offers the user full and thorough directions. All routes less than three miles in length are free to access.

OS Maps App

2017 UK Outdoor Industry Awards Winner *Best Digital Product*

The Ordnance Survey agency has been mapping the British Isles since 1747 and is recognised as the gold standard when it comes to cartography. Now available as a mobile app, it’s been described as ‘the perfect outdoor companion’ helping thousands of walkers, runners, ramblers and mountain bikers who all benefit from its huge catalogue of pre-planned routes and its helpful route alert warning system. Choose between standard 1:50k Landranger mapping and 1:25k Explorer and aerial imagery. Screens and menus have been intelligently designed to be read during either daytime or night-time visibility. The basic app is free with premium options also available.

iWalk Cornwall

Cornish Tourism Awards 2017/18 *Highly Recommended*

Thoughtfully crafted and brimming with detail, iWalk Cornwall was created by two Cornish graduates with a shared passion for the great outdoors. Its 200 plus walks span 4,000 miles of breathtaking Cornish backcountry and peninsula, a database that continues to grow every year. Other impressive features include; a beep/vibration alert to notify you of directional changes, a wander warning, a walk completion time estimate, a battery drain rate monitor and detailed information about various points of interest. There’s a small charge for each download and the app includes a free walkers’ guide around Lanhydrock Gardens.

South West Coast Path App

Discover one of the most captivating coastal paths in Europe with the help of the South West Coast Path App. From day walks to weeklong hiking expeditions, this useful app will guide you along some of the region’s most cherished coastal beauty spots. Compatibility: Requires iOS 9.3 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Size: 59.3 MB.

‘Excellent whistle-stop guide of the path which will benefit anyone wanting to look for particular walks along the SWCP’ – Apple App Store Reviews

Strava

One for the cyclers, runners and swimmers, the Strava app can be used to record and upload lots of interesting facts and statistics about your performance including; distance, pace, heart rate and elevation. Lots of our guests bring their exercise routines on holiday with them and this popular app is a must for all fitness enthusiasts, also acting as a social network for athletes of all abilities.

Outdoors GB

Highly rated by the hiking, rambling and cycling community, Outdoors GB is designed to help you explore the great outdoors combining popular features with your favourite OS Maps. It includes a free download of all 15 of Britain’s National Parks.

‘The best way to access Ordnance Survey Maps in digital form’ – Stuff Magazine

‘The perfect tool for navigating off-road. Great Fun!’ – Outdoors Magazine

Discover Poldark

Fans of the hit BBC One series Poldark will love this free app full of insights about the Cornish filming locations with exclusive revelations from the cast and crew. Follow in the footsteps of Ross and Demelza with the help of this quirky travel companion, which also includes such features as a Poldark lingo decoder, a public transport guide, and a variety of Poldark inspired activities and itineraries.

Wild Guide South West

Wild Guide South West has been designed to supply you with all the information you’ll need to explore this magnificent region. With more than 900 settings to explore, this colourful app is based on the popular book Wild Guide and brings a compendium of adventures to your handheld device, including ancient woodlands, smugglers’ coves, secret beaches, castle ruins, sacred stones, caves and grottoes, and a whole lot more.

‘Lovely book with lots of beautiful locations across the South West. The perfect app to take with you on holiday, or on days out, without having to carry the book. The maps are helpful too’ Apple App Store Reviews

The National Trust

The South West is blessed with some of the National Trust’s most elegant and captivating settings. This excellent app will help guide you round the region’s historic houses, castle ruins, coastal stretches and majestic gardens, all part of the trust’s impressive and treasured collection. See what events and activities are taking place using the handy What’s On section, benefit from the offline mode when you’re out exploring the remotest locations, save and share your experiences, and make a wish list for you and all the family.

‘Great app and well-organised layouts’ Google App Store Reviews

Cornwall – Travel & Explore

An app for Cornish wayfaring, Cornwall – Travel & Explore will have you immersed in the history and culture of this ancient county and surround you with some of its most stunning scenery. From Bude Sea Pool and Tintagel Castle to The Lizard and the Bedruthan Steps, the app also includes travel info, local news, a phrasebook and fact file pop ups.

Macs Adventure App

Access thousands of walks with richly detailed mapping all from your handheld device. This popular app introduces you to a huge online community and also gives you the opportunity to download and comment on your most popular routes. Macs Adventure App is free to download and works on either the iPhone or Android platforms. Popular features include GPS tracks, turn-by-turn directions, daily summaries, author’s advice, safety info, hints and tips, points of interest, photos from your trail, and print out options.

‘Really useful app. Can track your route and show your position in real-time so helpful when confirming where you are when using OS maps’ Apple App Store Reviews