UK's prettiest winter walks from beautiful woodlands and lakes to stately homes

25 December 2023 , 15:00

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A couple enjoy a winter walk with their dog (Image: National Trust library)

The festive season brings with it plenty of indulgence, not to mention staying wrapped up on the sofa binge-watching Christmas films. Therefore it's no surprise that Brits end up wanting to go out for a family walk to get some fresh air and stretch those legs before.. well, returning home for food, booze and more Christmas TV.

The good news is that the UK is filled with so many beautiful places whether you're in a city or the countryside, so there's ample opportunity for a scenic stroll.

To give you a helping hand, we've picked out some of the best winter hotspots if you're looking for a scenic route - and we've also flagged where to find the best ones near you at the bottom of the article.

Check out some of our top picks below...

National Trust trails

There are so many beautiful winter walks in the UK (National Trust library)

We've got a guide to some of the UK's best National Trust winter walks from epic clifftop trails to charming woodlands.

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For example Lizard Point: The Most Southerly Walk offers views of the Atlantic Ocean and if you're lucky, wildlife such as grey seals, while Studland Bay in Dorset boasts four miles of beautiful beaches from the boundary of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site at Old Harry Rocks north to Shell Bay.

Over in Norfolk, Blickling Estate's lake walk is popular on frosty winter mornings, while Stackpole in Pembrokeshire has footpaths that cover dramatic cliffs and beautiful coastal walks.

Mudeford Sandbank Beach, Dorset

Mudeford Sandbank Beach, Christchurch, Dorset (Holiday Cottages/Carl Draper)

This sandy peninsula makes for quite the spectacular winter walk thanks to the cliffs that surround it, as well as the colourful beach huts that line the shore. When it snows, it transforms into a real-life winter wonderland. If you're after a bit of a longer stroll, the Hengistbury Head Beach to Mudeford Sandbank Walk circular route is about 4.2 miles and takes you along the sands - you can find out more on dorsetwalks.co.uk.

Bakewell, Derbyshire

The Derbyshire village was recently named the UK's best winter retreat if you're looking to escape the crowds. The team at Sally's Cottages scored a number of popular UK countryside towns and villages on everything from gorgeous winter walks to the choice of festive fun and magical markets, with Bakewell coming out as the must-visit for the season. It impressed with 65 walking routes to enjoy such as the Hassop and River Wye Circular.

Shere, Surrey

Shere was the main filming location for the UK village in The Holiday (Sony Pictures)

If it's good enough for Cameron Diaz, it's good enough for us! Shere may not be a famous UK hotspot but if you watched the Christmas classic The Holiday, you'll know it well. That's because it served as the main filming location where Amanda (Cameron Diaz) spends her festive break.

You may recognise the main street from the scene where Amanda attempts to drive in the UK for the first time, while the village's pub, The White Horse, is where she meets Graham (Jude Law) and friends for a drink. Meanwhile if you're hoping to enjoy a picturesque walk in the countryside like the characters, you can find gorgeous trails including the footbridge over Tillingbourne Stream which is seen in the film.

Cragside, Northumberland

According to a study from FitFlop, the 1,000-acre estate is one of the UK's most popular walking spots for Boxing Day. There are 40 miles of dog-friendly footpaths amidst the landscaped gardens and woodlands to choose from, and you can find plenty of routes ranging between 1.5-3 miles with views of Cragside House, the Iron Bridge, the Powerhouse, wetlands, the man-made lakes and wildlife including deer, red squirrels and herons.

Loch Morlich, Scottish Highlands

(PA)

Regional experts from David Wilson Homes found Loch Morlich to be one of the UK's best winter walks. With a distance of approximately 3.1 miles, this easy walking trail is surrounded by pine forests and fringed by glorious beaches. The walk starts and ends in the Highland town of Aviemore, and offers views of the snow-capped Cairngorms too!

Glasgow

The Scottish city came out top as a must-visit in a recent study from Away Resorts, which found it to have 187 pretty winter walks on offer for visitors and locals. It also impressed in general as a winter destination thanks to the 59 pubs that were ideal for post-Christmas shopping, as well as the festive Christmas markets that will be open until the 7th January 2024.

As reported by GlasgowLive, some of the best destinations for a stroll this winter include Pollok Park, Clyde Walkway, Glasgow Green and Cathkin Braes.

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Find a pretty winter walk near you

Thanks to lockdowns, most people have a good idea of what walks and trails are available near their homes. However if you're after something different or want to try a new route, there are some easy ways to find the best winter walks near you.

For example, National Trust has a handy search tool whether you're after accessible routes, family-friendly walks or just want to see what's available in your area. Meanwhile English Heritage has a dedicated winter walks guide which allows you to easily find the highlights in your region.

For those who fancy more than just a short post-Christmas-dinner stroll, Ordnance Survey has plenty of great walking guides for a dose of inspiration, as does Ramblers.

Julie Delahaye