Top Winter Walks

Our partners, the National Trust, have chosen a selection of stunning winter walking routes with beautiful woodlands, spectacular scenery and wildlife a plenty to help you to enjoy these magical months.

Difficulty: Easy Walking Time: 1.5 Hours Length: 2.8 Miles

This easy trail explores a fragment of the wilderness that once covered East Anglia. Wicken Fen is the National Trust’s oldest nature reserve and is home to rare species such as the bittern and water vole. Other wildlife highlights to look out for include Konik ponies, highland cattle, roe deer, wigeon, teal and shoveler. Only 0.1% of Britain’s fenland remains un-drained, and Wicken Fen is the most accessible remnant of this habitat.

Routes, maps and information on for the Wicken Fen wildlife walk »

Difficulty: Easy Walking Time: 1 Hours Length: 1.8 Miles

Explore the beautiful woodlands at Formby, home to the rare native red squirrel. This gentle walk among the stunning coastal pinewoods follows well-marked paths and is just under two miles long, taking about an hour to complete.

Routes, maps and information for the Formby red squirrel walk

Difficulty: Moderate Walking Time: 3.5-5 Hours Length: 4 Miles

On the slopes of Sugarloaf, the southernmost peak of the Black Mountains, a semi-ancient oak woodland can be found. Known as St Mary’s Vale, the wildlife-rich woodland is also home to beech trees. The Sugarloaf circuit walk includes a climb to the summit of the mountain where you can admire the woodland from above.

Routes, maps and information for the Sugarloaf circuit

Difficulty: Moderate Walking Time: 1 hour 30 mnutes Length: 3.3 Miles

Beneath Roseberry Topping, a distinctive Matterhorn-shaped hill, lie tranquil woods where oak and ash trees several hundred years old tower over the network of paths. Take the circular route through Newton Wood and Cliff Ridge Wood, home to birds such as the tawny owl as well as woodland flora and fungi.

Routes, maps and information for the Roseberry Topping woodland walk

Difficulty: Easy Walking Time: 50 Minutes Length: 2.5 Miles

Discover the limestone countryside of the southern Peak District, famed for its wildlife and geology. Starting at the tranquil Victorian landscape and woodland of Ilam Park, this easy two and a half mile walk takes you into Dovedale, an iconic and spectacular gorge carved out by the river Dove. Wildlife to watch out for are grey wagtails and dippers.

Routes, maps and information for the Ilam Park to Dovedale walk

Difficulty: Moderate Walking Time: 2-3 Hours Length: 3.5 Miles

Perhaps the most famous walk on Dartmoor, this wildlife trail takes you past the imposing bulk of Castle Drogo – the last castle to be built in England – along the breathtaking Hunters Path high above the River Teign. The terrain is mixed, with steep descents and moderate climbs. See if you can spot buzzards, dippers, grey wagtails and deer.

Routes, maps and information for the Teign Valley classic circuit

Difficulty: Strenuous Walking Time: 4-5 Hours Length: 8 Miles

Box Hill has been welcoming visitors for hundreds of years and is within easy reach of London. Look out for wildlife such as belted Galloway cattle and kestrel on this strenuous eight-mile circular hike.

Routes, maps and information for the Box Hill hike

Difficulty: Easy Walking Time: 2 Hours Length: 2 Miles

Enjoy a stroll around the stunning 18th century Downhill Demesne with its beautiful sheltered gardens and cliff walks. This 2-mile walk takes in sea views, the ruins of Downhill House and Mussenden Temple.

Routes, maps and information for the Downhill Demesne walk

Difficulty: Moderate Walking Time: 1.5 Hours Length: 4 Miles

Petworth is a magnificent house set in 700 acres of landscaped deer park, and the parkland is home to many characterful veteran trees. Marvel at some of the oldest and largest trees in the country, and see a 1,000 year-old ancient oak that has survived all the major landscape changes since the 12th century. The gnarled and twisted bark of the magnificent ancient specimens make natural and amazing works of art.

Routes, maps and information for the Petworth ancient trees walk