The great escape

Matt and Helen Coppin quit the rat race for a country life where they could share their love of the Yorkshire landscape and passion for walking

- Kathryn Armstrong

Months of lockdown have definitely created an appetite for the outdoors. For which Matt and Helen Coppin are breathing a very outdoorsy sigh of relief.

Having given up big jobs in law for a new life in the country some years ago, they recently launched self-guided walking business Muddy Boots, aimed at people with a passion for walking and for Yorkshire.

But doing so just before Covid-19 hit seemed like unlucky timing. The reality though, is that after months of venturing no further than the corner shop or local park, people are now desperate to get their boots muddy and wander into the wilderness.

The Coppins made their home in lovely West Burton in the Dales seven years ago after travelling the world and turning their backs on legal careers in London.

They first set up a tour business aimed at organising self-drive holidays across Britain to overseas visitors. Keen to find a way of working with local businesses, they then established Muddy Boots just as the Covid-19 lockdown began. Now, however, they’re hoping to tap into the nation’s newfound interest in walking and nature as part of a staycation and the demand for finding quieter places away from the traditional visitor honeypots.

‘We’ve spent a large proportion of lockdown fine tuning our initial itineraries that enable guests to explore beautifully remote areas and quieter spots such as Arkengarthdale, Coverdale and Bishopdale as well as finding the less-trodden paths towards well-known highlights such as Malham’s limestone pavements.