Winter Walks

These guided walks take in all types of terrain and visitors can choose from landscaped gardens and parks, open heathland, estuaries teaming with winter birds, rivers and beaches. Binoculars are often a useful accessory, as many walks offer excellent opportunities for wildlife watching.

There are walks to suit all ages, whether you have a young family and want a gentle ramble, or you are a serious walker looking for a ten mile hike. If you choose wisely, you can tie your walk in with some warming refreshment, as several routes offer soup, mince pies and hot drinks to boost energy levels.

13th December: Studland Beach in Dorset offers one of the best coastal walks - a two hour guided bird walk along fine sandy beaches and heathland (part of a National Nature Reserve) which is a haven for many rare birds and other forms of wildlife. The walk ends with a delicious Christmas lunch. 10.30am, £11, meet at Visitor Centre, Knoll Beach, booking essential.

22nd December: Studland Beach is also the venue for a walk to welcome in the Winter Solstice. This begins in the dark, but ends in glorious techni-colour, as you watch day break over Old Harry Rocks, before tucking in to a cooked breakfast at the beach café. 7.15am, adults £6, children £4, meet at South Beach Car Park. Please bring torches, booking essential.

Sutton Hoo, Suffolk, Tel: 01394 389737
10th December: This famous Anglo-Saxon royal burial site is also an important estuary and heathland area. Join our estate warden for a bird-watching walk focusing on teal, avocets, geese and other winter visitors to the Deben estuary. Warm up with soup and cake in the restaurant. 11.30am-2pm, £12, booking essential.

Belton House, Lincolnshire, Tel: 01476 566116
10th December: This is a gentle stroll through the beautiful 17th-century landscaped park and gardens of this magnificent country estate, followed by warming mince pies and mulled wine in the stables restaurant. Shop and restaurant open. 11am, £6.50, booking essential.

Sheffield Park Garden, Sussex, Tel: 01825 790231
27th – 30th December: This internationlly renowned garden is particularly famous for its many rare trees and shrub – perfect for winter walks. The Enchanted Garden Walk will allow visitors to see the garden as never before – after sunset, with trees and lakes specially lit to provide a truly spectacular experience. 5-8pm, adults £12, children £6.50, booking essential.

Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal Water Garden, Tel: 01765 608888
The spectacular ruins of Fountains Abbey contain not only a Georgian water garden, temples and cascades but also Medieval deer park, originally created by the Cistercian monks who founded the Abbey in 1132. Visitors to Fountains Abbey can also watch wardens feed the 500 strong herd of Red, Fallow and Sika deer as part of a 15 minute walk from the Abbey (9, 10, 27, 28, 29 December, 10.45am-12.30pm).

Hardcastle Crags, Yorkshire, Tel: 01422 844518
1st January, 2007: Clear the cobwebs and enjoy the Crags in all their winter glory. This amazing walk starts at Hebden Bridge Railway Station, following the riverside path up to Hardcastle Crags and into the beautiful wooded valley. The landscape here is varied and includes deep rocky ravines, tumbling streams and oak, beech and pine woodland. Bring a packed lunch with you, as the walk is three hours long. The walk is free, but call the property for departure time. Booking essential.

Box Hill, Surrey, Tel: 01372 220644
16th December: The Science of Christmas – join Andy Bailey for a light hearted look at the myths and legends behind our favourite holiday season. Who is Father Christmas? Where do Christmas trees originate? Box Hill is an outstanding area of woodland and chalk downland with views towards the South Downs, and famously mentioned in Jane Austen’s novel ‘Sense and Sensibility’. The walk is a slightly challenging two-miler. Meet outside the National Trust shop at Box Hill. 1-3pm, adults £3, children £1, members free, booking essential (by 14 December).

Shropshire Hills, Tel: 01694 724536
31st December: A little exercise before some over-indulgence perhaps! This lovely guided walk will take visitors up Carding Mill Valley, following the freshwater stream and tracing its course right up to the top of the moors, resulting in some splendid views. Carding Mill Valley is known as ‘little Switzerland and covers acres of peaceful and beautiful upland heath. 10am-1pm, call for prices, booking essential.

A full list of Christmas Winter Walks is available at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events or by calling 0870 458 4000.

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