Getting back to basics and appreciating the simple things in life can be Britain’s positive legacy of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a Pembrokeshire charity.

For months, the UK population has lived in lockdown with restrictions limiting the places they can travel and the things they can do.

But according to outdoor education charity, the Field Studies Council (FSC), which runs residential courses, school trips and family holidays from its FSC Orielton hostel in Pembroke, the situation has encouraged people to develop a new appreciation for the small pleasures in life such as connecting to nature in the places in which they live.

“Without doubt, the coronavirus pandemic is bringing us back to basics,” explains Mark Castle, charity chief executive (seen above).

“The strict travel restrictions and the Government’s ‘Stay at Home’ ruling has meant we’ve all had to find ways to occupy ourselves.

“Often, it’s the small joys such as spending time in the garden or going for a walk to explore the unique places on our doorstep which have become the things, we most look forward to each day.

“For many, lockdown will have given them a new appreciation of where they live and the environment which surrounds them, and we guarantee that at some point most people will have uttered the words ‘I never knew that was there’.

“The devastating impact of the pandemic on people’s lives, the economy, business and our health service can never be underestimated and although it may be a struggle to find any positives, we do feel that this appreciation of the simple things in life is one of them.

“Since the start of the pandemic last March, people have slowed down, spent more time outdoors in nature reconnecting with their local areas.

“Families have also created memories by getting back to basics building dens, camping in the garden and wildlife spotting and it’s these things which have helped many people cope both mentally and physically and we hope this will be one of the more positive legacies of the pandemic.

“We hope people will continue to spend time outdoors, reduce the amount they travel, respect the places they live and take adventures on their doorstep.”

To support this legacy, the FSC, which is a leading provider of outdoor environmental education, has created and launched a collection of unique holidays for families to try out at FSC Orielton later this year.

The Stay With Us Family Adventure Holidays build on the back-to-basics theme and encourage families to continue making the most of the simple things in life with activities such as bushcraft campfires, conservation activities, nature walks and island survival skills.

Two bespoke holidays are available at Orielton; Great Outdoor Adventures and Family Wildlife Safaris, giving families in Pembrokeshire the option to discover some more of the hidden locations on their doorstep without the need to travel long distances or fly abroad.

Mr Castle said: “We’re confident our new adventure holidays will be just what people need this summer as we continue to ease out of the current lockdown.

“Most of our destinations are in wide, open countryside spaces and the location means there will be less need for travel.

“Our hostel-style accommodation is Covid-secure and our full-board offering also means that all meals are catered for so that all families have to think about is heading off into the great outdoors each day.

“We also offer a Book with Confidence scheme which means families can receive a refund or transfer their holiday if it is cancelled due to Covid.”

Holidays range in duration and price and for full details of what’s included in each holiday visit the website https://www.field-studies-council.org/stay-with-us/.

Further details on general FSC Stay With Us accommodation can also be found on the website.

Details are also available by following @FieldStudiesC on Facebook, @FieldStudiesC on Twitter and @field_studies_council on Instagram.

• FSC is a trusted and established organisation famous for offering educational trips and field studies to schools and universities across the nation.

First formed to encourage health, wellbeing and the enjoyment and appreciation of nature and the great outdoors in the latter years of the Second World War.

This spring and summer so long as government guidance allows, FSC will be providing a safe, simple holiday option in some of the most beautiful locations in the UK.

Its locations are easy to get to and ready to welcome visitors in a simple, no frills, safe and friendly environment.