Fenland explorer offers advice on enjoying the great outdoors as the sun is set to shine this weekend

Fenland based explorer and author Justin Miles is a #getoutside ambassador for the Ordnance Survey and right now he's helping people to find ways to enjoy the great British countryside whilst respecting the rules and guidelines set out by Government in light of the coronavirus crisis.

With lockdown restrictions easing we can now all start to enjoy outdoor spaces a little more once again, but it's important to recognise that the coronavirus hasn't simply vanished, so what we do now and how we conduct ourselves now will have a significant impact on our ability to combat the virus, protect the NHS and save lives.

'Stay At Home' is still the message in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but here in England Government advice is that we can now travel for 'as long as we like' to take unlimited amounts of outdoor activity and exercise.

Many outdoor spaces remain closed - so check before you travel - and many organisations are recommending that we 'stay local' as much as possible.

We also still need to observe social distancing rules whilst we're enjoying our time outdoors, such as not coming within two metres of anyone not from our own household.

Justin's Top Tips.

Avoid areas that may quickly become crowded such as well-known beauty spots, sites of interest and walking routes. If you arrive at your chosen destination and it appears to be crowded to the point where maintaining social distancing rules would be difficult or impossible, then either move to a different location or go home and return at another time or on another day.

Try using an Ordnance Survey map or their brilliant and convenient 'map app' to to identify outdoor spaces and routes that you can visit legally and safely. Here in the Fens we have an abundance of outdoor space, so try looking for places in your local area that you've never visited before.

Take everything that you need with you, from the correct clothing and footwear to food and drink so that you don't need to go in search of it.

Right now, don't push your limits! Stay well within your personal limitations and be sensible with your activities to avoid the likelihood of finding yourself in a situation where you need emergency support, because rescue teams, emergency services and the NHS are already under a tremendous amount of strain.

Brief everyone in your family on how to act and react in the situations likely to occur. For example, if you're heading out to a walking circuit with young children, be clear on what they need to do when someone not from your household is approaching, such as 'walking in a single file' or creating a 'family bubble'.

Plan ahead! Plan absolutely everything, from your car journey to your chosen destination - if you have to use a car - to parking, alternative destinations, your route, what you need to take with you, what to do if you encounter an emergency situation and need help, and even how you'll dispose of litter responsibly. Remember that poor planning can lead to poor decisions...

When you're in the countryside, no matter what activity you're engaged in from walking, to cycling to fishing, follow the principles of 'Leave No Trace': 'Take nothing but memories or photographs and leave nothing but footprints'

Remember, outdoor spaces aren't going away so there's no rush.

This article was correct according to Government guidelines at the time of writing, but those guidelines are changing frequently so please make sure that you're making decisions based on the most up to date information.

You can find out more about Justin, his adventures and his work through his website www.justforthechallenge.com or follow him on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook as @ExplorerJust

Read more: 'Get Outside Inside' says Fenland explorer Justin Miles as he champions national campaign