We were thrilled to take part in this year’s Armchair Adventure Festival in Cornwall, a vibrant celebration of outdoor exploration, inspiring tales from the trail, and the power of community. This marked Valley and Peak’s first appearance at the festival, and it was an unforgettable experience. Set against the stunning backdrop of Mount Edgcumbe Country Park, we had the pleasure of trading, chatting, and sharing stories with a passionate crowd of like-minded explorers.

Whether your adventures take you hiking through the hills, Motor-Camping and Overlanding across wild terrain, camping under the stars, or simply enjoying well-designed gear and good conversation, it was a pleasure to meet so many of you.

The Armchair Adventure Festival has an inspiring story of its own. It was founded in April 2020 by Matt Bishop and Reece Gilkes, also known as The Sidecar Guys, during the UK's first national lockdown. Created to keep the spirit of adventure alive while people were staying at home, the festival became the world’s first fully live virtual adventure event. It quickly grew in popularity, attracting tens of thousands of viewers and raising significant funds for charity.

Matt and Reece, went on an incredible journey from 2017 to 2019. They became the first and only people to travel all the way around the world on a scooter with a sidecar. Their trip covered 34,000 miles across five continents and 35 countries, which earned them a Guinness World Record for the longest scooter and sidecar journey.

Their route took them through some really tough and varied landscapes, like the Sahara Desert, the Andes Mountains, and the freezing cold of Siberia. Their adventure wasn’t just about breaking records. It was also to raise awareness and funds for charities fighting modern slavery around the world.

In 2021, the festival became an in-person event and moved to Mount Edgcumbe Country Park in Cornwall. It evolved into a unique gathering that combines inspiring talks, outdoor activities, live music, and community engagement. Today, it is recognised as one of the UK’s leading adventure travel festivals, known for bringing people together through a shared love of the outdoors and the power of storytelling.

We chose to exhibit at the Armchair Adventure Festival because it reflects many of the values we hold at Valley and Peak. We care deeply about high-quality, dependable gear, but just as much about encouraging a sense of adventure and building a strong, supportive outdoor community.

The festival brings together a diverse group of people, from experienced explorers to those just starting out. Everyone comes with a shared enthusiasm for the outdoors and a desire to connect through stories, journeys, and challenges. It creates a welcoming atmosphere that feels less like a traditional event and more like a gathering of passionate, like-minded individuals.

For us, it is the perfect opportunity to meet fellow adventurers, learn from their experiences, and share what we offer to help support their next trip. Being part of the Armchair Adventure Festival feels like a natural extension of what Valley and Peak is all about.

At the event, we showcased a carefully selected range of products from some of the top outdoor brands featured on our website, including Hilleberg, Nortent, Sea to Summit, Exped, and many others. Although we could only display a small portion of our full range, the response was overwhelmingly positive. It was a great opportunity to meet fellow outdoor enthusiasts, exchange stories, and introduce people to some of the best gear available for all kinds of adventures.

We are already looking forward to returning next year. Our first time at the Armchair Adventure Festival was an unforgettable experience, and that’s entirely thanks to the incredible people we met along the way. From inspiring conversations to shared stories of adventure, every interaction reminded us why we do what we do.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who stopped by our stand, asked questions, tried out our gear, or simply shared a moment with us. Your enthusiasm and support made our first year at the festival not only enjoyable but genuinely rewarding.

We left feeling inspired, energised, and more connected than ever to the adventurous community we’re proud to be part of. We hope to see you again soon, whether it's out on the trail, at another event, or somewhere in the great wide outdoors. And if not there, we’re always just a click away.