At Lakes & Mountains with Matt, we believe every adventure starts with a single step. Our mission is simple: to educate, enthuse and empower people to enjoy the outdoors safely and confidently, one mountain at a time.
Founded by proud Cumbrian Matt and supported by a team of experienced outdoor leaders, we’re passionate about sharing the incredible landscapes of the Lake District and beyond. Having grown up surrounded by the fells, lakes and mountains, Matt knows first-hand the positive impact that time in nature can have on our wellbeing, confidence and sense of adventure. Today, that passion is shared across our whole team.
We provide professionally guided walks and bespoke outdoor experiences for individuals, couples, families, groups, schools, charities and businesses. Whether it’s your first walk on the fells, a challenging mountain day, a wellbeing walk or a bespoke corporate event, every experience is tailored to your goals, ability and aspirations.
Our walks are about far more than reaching the summit. They’re about discovering hidden places, understanding the landscape, wildlife and local history, building confidence, developing new skills and creating lasting memories with people who share a love of the outdoors.
Safety, professionalism and inclusivity are at the heart of everything we do. Our experienced team creates welcoming, supportive experiences where everyone can enjoy the mountains, regardless of age or experience.
Alongside our guided walks, we also offer:
We believe the outdoors should be accessible to everyone. Through our work with schools, charities, local organisations and communities, we’re committed to helping more people experience the physical, mental and social benefits of spending time in nature.
Whether you’re taking your very first steps on the fells or planning your next mountain adventure, we’d love to welcome you.
Lakes & Mountains with Matt – educating, enthusing and empowering people, one mountain at a time.
Matt Ryder is the Managing Director of Lakes & Mountains with Matt Limited and a fully qualified Summer Mountain Leader (ML) — one of the UK’s most respected professional qualifications for guiding in mountainous terrain. This award allows Matt to safely lead groups across higher, steeper and more remote areas of the UK and Ireland during summer conditions.
With a background in teaching and a lifelong passion for the natural world, Matt brings together deep expertise and infectious enthusiasm to every experience. He has led groups of all abilities across the UK and has trekked through the awe-inspiring Himalayas, reaching Everest Base Camp, Island Peak and Kala Patthar — a journey that inspired the creation of this company.
Alongside his Mountain Leader qualification, Matt is:
A qualified teacher, passionate about lifelong learning
Trained in Winter Mountaineering
NNAS (National Navigation Award Scheme) certified
A proud member of the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) and the Mountain Training Association (MTA)
Matt’s love for nature knows no bounds. With extensive local knowledge, he shares fascinating insights into the landscape, geography and history of the places you walk. Above all, he’s committed to delivering safe, meaningful and inspiring journeys that leave lasting memories.
Abi Hargreaves is a Summer Mountain Leader (ML) who also trained with Matt in the Peak District and Snowdonia.
She strongly believes any time in the outdoors, no matter how big or small, is time well spent. She thrives on supporting others to achieve what they didn’t think was possible and empowering them to feel confident in the outdoors.
Abi is an all round outdoor enthusiast, trying anything including scuba diving, climbing and winter mountaineering.
Tom Quinn is a Summer Mountain Leader (ML).
Living just a ‘stone’s throw’ away from the Lake District, has been his main area of exploration over the last 12 years, building up experience in the mountains and gaining extensive local knowledge. Although the Lakes has been his main focal point he has vastly expanded his expertise in other mountainous areas of the UK.
Passionate about how the outdoors can benefit people, both mentally and physically, Tom thrives in encouraging people to develop confidence and achieve new goals.
Combining his passions of the outdoors and travelling has seen him trekking in the Himalayas, Rocky Mountains of Canada, North Africa, Canary Islands and most recently The Dolomites in Italy.
Mike Burnham is a qualified Summer Mountain Leader (ML) with a wealth of experience in the outdoors. He trained alongside Matt in both the Peak District and Snowdonia, honing his leadership and navigation skills in some of the UK’s most iconic mountain environments.
Beyond the mountains, Mike is a former Primary and Special Educational Needs Teacher, bringing patience, understanding and a passion for helping others to everything he does. He also serves as a Senior Leader for the British Exploring Society, where he leads youth expeditions across the UK and overseas—empowering young people through adventure and personal challenge.
Whether guiding on home soil or further afield, Mike combines his educational expertise with his love for the outdoors, creating supportive, inspiring experiences for all those he leads.
Tim Butcher is a Summer Mountain Leader (SML) and Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition supervisor and assessor, based in Keswick. He has walked extensively in the UK mountains, completing the munros and several wainwright rounds, as well as trekking in Nepal, The Dolomites, and the Atlas mountains of Morocco.
He is a strong believer in the benefits to wellbeing of time spent outdoors, especially for young people, and is keen that as many as possible should have the opportunity to find adventure in the Lake District hills and beyond.
After 20+ years managing Youth Hostels in the Lake District and Yorkshire, he is now working full time as an outdoor leader.
Mike Griffiths is a qualified Hill & Moorland Leader (HML).
A Hill and Moorland Leader (HML) is a qualified person who leads groups on walks in lower upland areas—think rolling hills, moorland and non-mountainous terrain—rather than high, rugged mountains. It’s an official leadership qualification awarded by Mountain Training, designed for people who want to guide others in open countryside but not in steeper, mountainous regions.
He loves sharing his knowledge of the lakes and mountains and helping people learn and develop their confidence. His love for the outdoors began when he started completing the Wainwrights and believes that there is something for everyone.
Mike is Mountain Skills Trained and NNAS certified.
Fiona is a qualified university lecturer and registered Nurse who brings a unique dynamic to the team with vast knowledge and expertise in walking in the Lake District. She has enthusiasm for helping people and is committed to helping develop confidence in an unfamiliar environment.
Fiona is Mountain Skills Trained and NNAS certified.
Dean Lightfoot is one of Matt’s assistants.
Nicknamed ‘That Pink Hat Guy’, Dean will ensure you have an enjoyable and safe experience whilst in the mountains. He is very kind and supportive and loves to wild camp.
Dean is Mountain Skills Trained and NNAS certified.
Mike Browne is one of Matt’s assistants.
Mike has a genuine passion for outdoor adventures, particularly when it comes to sharing these experiences with others. In 2025, he successfully trekked to Everest Base Camp in the Himalayas.
With his kindness, supportive nature and wealth of knowledge, Mike is a fantastic addition to our team.
Mike is Mountain Skills Trained (Summer & Winter) and NNAS certified, bringing valuable expertise to everything he does.
Imogen Martin is one of Matt’s trainee assistants.
The youngest member of the team, Imogen loves exploring the great outdoors alongside her university studies, in particular supporting our school groups.
Stacey Heywood is one of Matt’s Mountain Assistants.
Stacey is a trained Summer Mountain Leader with a deep passion for the outdoors and a love for the Lake District’s stunning landscapes. Experienced, knowledgeable, and encouraging, she is dedicated to helping you enjoy every step of your adventure. Stacey’s commitment to safety, guidance, and inspiration ensures that every walk is memorable and rewarding.
Lakes & Mountains with Matt Limited is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of children, young people and adults who engage in all our activities. We recognise the responsibility to promote safe practice and to protect all from harm, abuse and exploitation. Our safeguarding policy statement is available upon request.
