Wonderful Winter Walks

Over the Christmas holidays why not take a break from eating mince-pies and watching endless repeats on the TV and head out for some fresh air and exercise? Walking is also a great way to enjoy the outdoors and keep those resolutions to get fitter into the New Year.

There are plenty of strolls and hikes happening during the Ramblers' Association's Festival of Winter Walks which takes place from 26th December 2007 until 2nd January 2008, and throughout the winter months the National Trust (NT) organises lots of walks for you to join in and escape the Christmas rush. There are also self-guided walks to download from their website. Here are some of our favourite ways to walk off those extra calories.

Walkers wanting to escape on Christmas Day itself can join the Ramblers at Childerditch Common in Brentwood or Vernham Dean near Andover.

Beat the Boxing Day bulge with one of the many Ramblers walks around the countryside on 26th December, from the Boxing Day Blow at Tempsford in Bedfordshire to the traditional walk along Aberdeen beach, where the walker wearing the funniest hat will win a prize.

Those who appreciate a sweet incentive to get out and about might like a Christmas Cake walk in Wycombe or Polzeath, or one of the Ramblers Mince Pie walks. In England these include Redbourn and Redbournbury Mill by the river Ver in Hertfordshire, Taunton's parks and waterways, and many other locations with interesting sights along the way.

In Wales, those who venture onto the Betws mountain in the Brecon Beacons can discover King Arthur's Stone, overlooking the Amman valley, home in previous centuries to wild boars and miners but now a peaceful place for a walk.

Walkers can enjoy mulled wine too at Ardgour in Scotland on 27th December. The route takes in the west coast highland, incorporating the Corran Ferry, the grounds of 18th century Ardgour House, and the chance to see deer, pine martens, red squirrels, hares, otters, seals, sea birds and birds of prey including eagles and owls, plus other wildlife.

You can find festival walks in your area at: www.ramblers.org.uk/winterwalks

NT's Ightham Mote in Kent have a Boxing Day Brunch and Trek. Enjoy a full English breakfast followed by a walk across the estate. Booking is essential - call 01732 811314 or email ightham@nationaltrust.org.uk. Quarry Bank Mill in Cheshire has organised a Boxing Day walk to burn off those Christmas excesses. To book your place call 01625 527468 or email quarrybankmill@nationaltrust.org.uk. Attingham Park in Shropshire also has a walk around the grounds on 26th December. For booking and more information call 01743 708 162 or email attingham@nationaltrust.org.uk.

Stourhead in Wiltshire has a stunning winter landscape to soak up. You can take a 30 minute stroll around the lake or head out on a longer 5.5 mile walk taking in more of the grounds. Finish your day with a warming drink in the café.

Ashridge Estate in Buckinghamshire is the location for a festive woodland walk on Friday 28th December, continuing the Christmas theme of good food and drink by ending with mulled wine and mince-pies. To book your place call 01442 851227 or email ashridge@nationaltrust.org.uk.

Flatford Bridge Cottage in Suffolk is featured in a walk following the footsteps of John Constable. Start at Manningtree railway station and see the landscape that inspired one of the greatest British painters.

High Peak in Derbyshire is the location for a truly bracing walk following in the footsteps of the mass trespass of 1932. This eight mile walk takes in views over Yorkshire to the North and Cheshire to the West. You could even see Wales on a clear day.

Dinefwr Park in Camarthenshire is Wales' first parkland to be recognised as a National Nature Reserve. Follow NT's self-guided walk passing trees that are over 700 years old and look out for the White Park Cattle who have been part of the landscape for 1000 years.

Cubert in Cornwall is part of an incredibly beautiful coastline. A self guided walk takes you along the cliffs and past an iron-age fort. During winter, migrant birds can be seen in the fields next to the coast.

Rhossili Bay on the Gower Peninsula in south Wales has some of the most beautiful and spectacular views in Wales: ideal for a bracing winter walk. The stunning Rhossili beach with its golden sands is popular with surfers and home to numerous shipwrecks, which can be seen at low tide, and tales of smuggling. This whole walk will take around 3 hours, is 5 miles long, and can be downloaded for free from the National Trust website. For further information contact 01792 390707.

You can download walks at: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/walking

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