The Great Outdoors Reader Awards are the UK’s biggest democratic celebration of the best of outdoor culture. Fourteen years ago, we launched our first annual awards and you – our readers – have been championing the people, places and businesses that make our lives outdoors better ever since. We are, as every year, delighted and humbled to officially open The Great Outdoors Awards 2026.
Main image: Walking towards Pen y Fan, Bannau Brycheiniog | Credit: Paul Maguire/Shutterstock
Once again, The Reader Awards are open across 15 categories including the Open Outdoors award, pub of the year, campaigner of the year, brand of the year, and many more. What makes these Reader Awards different – and gives extra kudos to the winners – is that it’s you, the outdoor going public, who decide the results. Only your nominees make it onto the shortlist, and only those who win most of your votes walk away with a top accolade.
Your top nominees will be shortlisted and the results will go to a public and democratic vote. The shortlisted nominee with the most votes in each category will be announced the Winner, while those with the second and third most votes will both be Commended.
From talented authors and tireless campaigners to charming campsites and cosy pubs, the shortlists in these 15 categories represent the most inspirational personalities, organisations and businesses in the outdoor world.
- The Extra Mile award
- Outdoor personality of the year
- Campaign or campaigner of the year
- The Open Outdoors award
- Walkers’ pub of the year
- Walkers’ café of the year
- Hostel or bunkhouse of the year
- Campsite of the year
- Walker’s app of the year
- Outdoor film or filmmaker of the year
- Outdoor book of the year
- Independent retailer of the year
- Chain retailer of the year
- Online retailer of the year
- Outdoor clothing and equipment brand of the year
If you’re in need of some inspiration across categories, take a peek at which inspirational people and ground-breaking businesses won The Great Outdoors Reader Awards 2025. We hope that you’ll take the opportunity to nominate the people, places and organisations that really deserve it – maybe the overlooked, the new and emerging voices, those who have never been shortlisted before.
Please note that, in order to help ensure fairness and variety, we are asking that you do not nominate the same person, place or organisation in more than one category.
So nominate wisely – and please share the link below so others may also have their say!
Nominations close on October 31 2025 at midnight. Thank you for taking part.
There are two parts to The Great Outdoors Awards. This article announces the shortlist for the Reader Awards, which have been nominated by our readers and the outdoor public at large across 15 categories. The other part of The Great Outdoors Awards is the Gear of the Year awards which recognises the best and most innovative outdoor gear as selected by expert judges.
