winter walks
Knaresborough, North Yorkshire: What to see and do
With its rich history, scenic River Nidd setting, and iconic landmarks such as Knaresborough Castle and the impressive Viaduct, there’s plenty to explore.
Get outdoors this Christmas: best activities, walks and experiences
Whether stargazing somewhere magical or roasting chestnuts over a bonfire, here is a selection of the best outdoor activities to enjoy in the British countryside over the festive season.
32 of the most enchanting Boxing Day walks in the UK
From wild winter rambles in Scotland to a gentle family strolls near London, here is our pick of the best Boxing Day walks across the British countryside.
Walk: Attenborough Nature Reserve, Nottinghamshire
Just a stone’s throw from Nottingham and Derby, this watery reserve is a beguiling backdrop to one of nature’s greatest masterpieces
Walk: Pembridge, Herefordshire
Head to Herefordshire to trace the surprise origins of a classic Christmas carol before taking a hike through the county's iconic orchards
Walk: Langdon Beck, County Durham
Remote, exposed and etched with crescents of snow, the uplands of the North Pennines offer little in the way of sanctuary for wintering wildlife – yet in this ice world, one hardy bird thrives
Walk: Dundrum Bay, County Down
Great gatherings of overwintering birds bring light to even the darkest January days
on this sandy windswept stretch of the Northern Irish coast. In spring and summer, the coastline transforms into a haven for butterflies and summer birds.
Day out: Hauxley, Northumberland
Northumberland’s long shores of sand and rock are a popular hang-out spot for winter
visitors, such as sanderlings, brent geese and eiders.
Day out: Anderby Creek Beach, Lincolnshire
Wrap up warm for a windy walk along an unspoilt Lincolnshire beach
Walk: Port Castle Bay and St Ninian’s Cave, Dumfries and Galloway
Discover an ancient seaside hermitage on Scotland’s historic Machars peninsula
Day out: Bosley Cloud, Cheshire
Scale 365 steps through a magical winter woodland to a breathtaking viewpoint
high above Cheshire’s patchwork countryside
Day out: Fen Drayton Nature Reserve, Cambridgeshire
There is no guarantee of a partridge in a pear tree, but this RSPB reserve is a birdwatchers’ festive paradise
Walk: Point of Ayr, Flintshire
Discover a lonely old lighthouse on the north coast of Wales and watch thousands of seabirds wheeling on a rising tidy
Day out: Christmas Common, Oxfordshire
Stretch your legs on a seasonal walk around Christmas Common, on the border between Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, before picking up a locally grown festive tree
Walk: Falmer to Lewes, East Sussex
After the hustle and bustle of Christmas, reconnect with the slow rhythms of the land on this scenic hilltop ramble through the South Downs National Park
Walk: Slieve Binnian, County Down
Severe weathering during the last ice age sculpted Slieve Binnian into the most distinctive peak in Northern Ireland's Mourne Mountains
Walk: Snailbeach and The Hollies, Shropshire
Roam the glistening Shropshire Hills in search of one of our favourite Christmas emblems, discovering tradition and magic along the way
Day out: Wintringham and Boynton, East Riding of Yorkshire
Explore the historic hamlets and rambling Yorkshire Wolds once home to the man responsible for bringing the turkey to Britain