top of page
.png)
BLOG
Search
You Won’t Believe How Good Stargazing Is For You: The Night-Time Skill Every UK Outdoor Enthusiast Should Learn
Stargazing is one of those rare activities that blends relaxation, adventure and practical outdoor skills. Whether you are camping with your Charter, enjoying a quiet UKSN camp, or spending a moment in the garden after dark, looking up at the night sky offers far more benefits than most people realise. This guide explores why stargazing is surprisingly good for your wellbeing, how it supports your outdoor skills, and why it deserves a place in every UKSN member’s toolkit.
Dec 8, 20253 min read
The Best Natural Navigation Tricks for Beginners
Navigating in the great outdoors can feel daunting at first, especially if you are new to camping, bushcraft, or hiking. While maps, compasses, and GPS devices are incredibly useful, knowing a few natural navigation tricks can boost your confidence and help you stay safe. At UKSN, we believe in teaching practical, family-friendly outdoor skills that anyone can use. Here are some of the best natural navigation techniques for beginners.
Sep 24, 20254 min read
Polymath Products CMP-20 Compass Necklace Review – Lightweight, Accurate, and Built to Survive
The CMP-20 Compass Necklace from Polymath Products is a stripped-back, rugged navigation tool designed for fast access and reliable performance in the field. While it shares the same core compass as the NV-20K (which we recently reviewed), it ditches the rear photoluminescent map-reading lamp in favour of a longer neck cord, making it ideal for users who want simple, immediate direction-checking capability on the go.
Jun 16, 20254 min read
Think All Tiny Compasses Are Useless? Think Again – Polymath Products NV-20K Pocket Compass Review
Whether you're a seasoned navigator or just starting out on your outdoor journey, having a reliable backup compass is essential. The NV-20K Pocket/Zip Compass by Polymath Products is exactly that — a compact, tough, and surprisingly accurate navigation tool designed to perform when your electronics don’t. It may be small, but it’s built to handle the kind of punishment and conditions many of us face in the field.
May 16, 20255 min read
UKSN Bushcraft Basics: Navigation in the Wilderness *Updated*
When exploring the wilderness, having basic navigation skills is crucial to ensure your safety and prevent getting lost.
Apr 4, 20254 min read
Navigating with the Sun: A Practical Guide for Outdoor Enthusiasts
Navigating using the sun is a timeless skill that has guided adventurers, explorers, and outdoor enthusiasts for centuries.
Feb 26, 20253 min read
Lost in the Wilderness? Essential Survival Tips and How to Signal for Help
Whether you’re exploring remote woodlands, hiking up a mountain trail, or trekking through unfamiliar terrain, being lost can be a daunting.
Dec 11, 20246 min read
The Best UK National Parks for Stargazing: A Guide to Celestial Adventures with UKSN
The UK boasts some of the finest dark-sky locations, many of which are nestled within its breathtaking national parks.
Dec 5, 20244 min read
The Best Navigation Apps for Outdoor Adventures
In this blog, we’ll explore some of the top navigation apps for outdoor adventures, highlight their best features, and provide top tips!
Nov 27, 20245 min read
UKSN Social Camps Are Back in 2026 – Book Tickets Now!
Step away from screens, schedules, and the everyday routine at UKSN social camps - our weekend events at Rough Close Scout Camp, Coventry, are all about connection, camaraderie, and enjoying the outdoors. Whether it’s sharing a story around the campfire, exploring woodland trails at your own pace, testing your B.O.B, or simply relaxing in nature, the weekends are yours to shape.
UKSN
Feb 62 min read
How to Prepare Your Home for Winter Storms: A Guide to Staying Safe and Warm
Winter storms in the UK can bring freezing temperatures, snow, and power outages, making preparation essential for keeping your family safe!
UKSN
Jan 84 min read
Goodbye 2025… Hello Adventure! A Huge Happy New Year from UKSN
As the final hours of the year tick away, we wanted to take a moment to say a massive thank you to every single UKSN member. Whether you joined us this year or have been part of the community for a long time, you have helped make UKSN what it is today.
UKSN
Dec 31, 20252 min read
Unlock the Best Amazon Black Friday Deals: Smart Shopping Tips Every Prepper, Bushcrafter, Camper & Adventurer Should Know
At UKSN, we know that every penny saved can be put towards better kit, emergency gear, or that next big adventure. So, here’s how to make the most of Amazon Black Friday and find the best deals without getting caught up in the chaos.
UKSN
Nov 17, 20257 min read
How UKSN Members Can Save Big: Insider Tips to Stretch Your Outdoor Budget Further
Let’s face it, the great outdoors can be priceless, but the gear we use to explore it often isn’t. Whether you’re kitting out for a weekend camp, upgrading your bushcraft tools, or stocking up on supplies for self-sufficiency, costs can quickly add up. The good news? Being part of UKSN doesn’t just connect you with an incredible community of like-minded adventurers – it also unlocks a treasure chest of money-saving opportunities.
UKSN
Oct 20, 20256 min read
How to Prepare for an Internet Outage: Essential Tips for Staying Connected in an Offline World
From communication and entertainment to banking and shopping, the internet plays a crucial role in almost every aspect of daily life.
UKSN
Oct 20, 20256 min read
Support UKSN and Win the Ultimate Solar Powered Hat for Preppers and Outdoor Enthusiasts
To help us keep UKSN running smoothly and continue building helpful content and tools for members across the UK, we’re giving away an incredibly innovative EcoFlow Power Hat (L–XL) to one lucky supporter.
UKSN
Aug 4, 20253 min read
The Reality of Prepping in the UK: Myths vs Truth
Prepping often conjures dramatic images of doomsday bunkers and lone survivalists. But within UKSN, prepping is something far more grounded: a blend of practical skills, self-sufficiency, outdoor adventure, and supportive community. With over 3,000 members across the UK, UKSN helps people of all ages and backgrounds embrace a more prepared and resilient lifestyle.
UKSN
Jul 9, 20257 min read
What a UKSN Social Camp is REALLY Like: Stories from the Wild
If you’ve ever wanted to swap the daily grind for something simpler, something real, then a UKSN Social Camp could be exactly what you're looking for. With over 3,000 members across the country, UKSN is one of the UK’s most welcoming communities for those interested in camping, bushcraft, prepping, and self-sufficiency – and the social camps are where everything comes together.
UKSN
Jun 20, 20254 min read
POPULAR CATEGORIES
LATEST REVIEWS
.png)
NEWS, OFFERS, & GUIDES
Another Outdoor Retailer Enters Administration: Alpkit and What This Means for the UK Outdoor Scene
The UK outdoor retail world has taken another knock. This time, it’s Alpkit, a brand many people genuinely care about, that has entered administration.
UKSN
Jan 303 min read
LifeSaver Jerrycan Graphene:Ultra – A New Era in Portable Water Purification
When it comes to clean drinking water, the stakes are high. Whether you’re wild camping, travelling through remote areas, or preparing for emergencies, you need a system you can trust. LifeSaver have just raised the bar with the Jerrycan Graphene:Ultra – the first portable water purifier to combine proven ultrafiltration with revolutionary graphene-enhanced technology.
UKSN
Aug 11, 20255 min read
MERE First Responder First Aid Kit Review - Does It Live Up to the Hype?
First aid kits are one of those bits of gear you buy hoping you’ll never really need, but when you do, you want one that actually holds up when it matters most. On paper, the MERE First Responder First Aid Kit ticks a lot of boxes for everyday carry, hiking, car kits, or as part of a bug-out bag. But does it stand up to real scrutiny when you get hands-on with it? Today we take a closer look!
UKSN
Jul 28, 20254 min read
LATEST UKSN NEWS
Want Reliable Offline Communication? Grab Our Free Project LoRa & Meshtastic Guide Now!
Looking to stay connected even when the internet isn’t available? Our UKSN Project LoRa / Meshtastic Beginner Guide is your free step-by-step roadmap to building your first LoRa node and joining a reliable offline network.
UKSN
Feb 112 min read
UKSN Social Camps Are Back in 2026 – Book Tickets Now!
Step away from screens, schedules, and the everyday routine at UKSN social camps - our weekend events at Rough Close Scout Camp, Coventry, are all about connection, camaraderie, and enjoying the outdoors. Whether it’s sharing a story around the campfire, exploring woodland trails at your own pace, testing your B.O.B, or simply relaxing in nature, the weekends are yours to shape.
UKSN
Feb 62 min read
UKSN Ultimate Members Now Get Free Radio & LoRa Node Programming
We’re always looking for ways to give something back to the members who support UKSN the most. As a thank-you to Ultimate members, we’re introducing free professional programming for radios and LoRa mesh nodes, included as part of Ultimate membership. These services normally cost up to £14.99, but Ultimate members can now access them by simply covering postage costs.
UKSN
Jan 232 min read
PREPPING
Stay Ahead of the Emergency: The Smartest Ways to Gather Local Updates
When a local emergency occurs, knowing what’s happening as it unfolds can make all the difference. Whether it’s a sudden flood, a severe storm, or an unexpected disruption, staying informed keeps you, your family, and your community safe.
UKSN
2 days ago3 min read
10 Everyday Items That Vanish From Shops the Moment an Emergency Hits - What You Need to Know Now
When something unexpected happens, UK shop aisles can empty faster than you can say “panic buying”. Most of us remember the scenes from the pandemic when everyday staples simply disappeared overnight. But it is not just the obvious items like bottled water and bread that people rush for.
UKSN
Feb 204 min read
XTOC The Tactical Comms Game-Changer You Didn’t Know You Needed
When it comes to staying connected off-grid, reliable communication is often the difference between a smooth operation and chaos. Enter XTOC™ Tactical Operations Center Software Suite, a tool that’s quietly redefining how teams handle field communications, even in the toughest conditions.
Glyn Smith
Feb 133 min read
BUSHCRAFT
How to Turn Snow into Drinkable Water: A Survival Skill Every UKSN Member Should Know
When the cold grips the UK and the landscape turns into a winter wonderland, snow is more than just a pretty scene or a reason to go sledging. For outdoor enthusiasts, bushcrafters, campers, and members of the UKSN community, snow can be an important resource if you know how to make it safe to drink.
UKSN
Dec 19, 20252 min read
UKSN Bushcraft Basics: Knife Safety and Maintenance - Updated
A reliable and well-maintained knife is an essential tool for bushcraft activities. However, it's key to prioritise safety at all times.
UKSN
Oct 10, 20255 min read
10 Bushcraft, Survival, and Prepping Secrets Every UK Adventurer Needs to Know
Whether you are a weekend camper, a bushcraft enthusiast, or someone passionate about prepping, mastering a few essential skills can transform a stressful situation into an exciting challenge. Here are ten expert tips that every UK adventurer should know.
UKSN
Oct 8, 20254 min read
TRENDING
SELF-SUFFICIENCY
MEMBERSHIP
AFFILIATE
DISCLOSURE
At UKSN, our mission is to provide valuable information and resources for our community, helping you stay prepared and informed. To support this mission and keep our content accessible, we use affiliate links throughout our website.
bottom of page