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10 of the UK's most scenic winter walks

Get out and about to explore Britain's beautiful landscapes with these wonderful winter walks

By Jo Blyth
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As the chillier weather arrives, holidays where we can enjoy invigorating winter walks start to look appealing. After all, we still want to get outside and make the most of the beautiful landscapes on our doorstep.

You’ll need to wrap up warm and consider packing a waterproof jacket, but on a crisp winter's day there's nothing better than getting out in the fresh air, walking along clifftops, or through chocolate box villages with the possible dusting of snow. It's a superb way to appreciate the tranquillity of frosty fields and ice-covered rooftops, especially on misty mornings.

After chilly winter walks, you’ll also want to make sure you have a cosy base to return to, where you can warm up quickly, perhaps with some hearty winter dishes or a large glass of wine. Luckily, we are blessed here in the UK with a fantastic range of snug hotels, welcoming B&Bs, and homely guesthouses that make perfect boltholes for a weekend of winter rambling.

The range of walking options in the UK is vast, from leisurely winter beach strolls in Bournemouth to bracing hikes in the Peak District. It’s important to choose a route that will work for you and to plan well for the cold weather, making sure to take suitable outdoor clothing and equipment and avoid any areas that could get dangerously icy and slippery.

We've rounded up some of our favourite routes for a winter break in the UK, from gently graded walks to steeper climbs, and some of our top picks for nearby hotels, where you can warm your toes by the fire and enjoy a well-deserved drink.

You'll be walking in a winter wonderland before you know it...

1

Richmond Park - The Tamsin Trail

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Richmond Park offers a taste of the countryside within London. This Royal Park is only a short train ride from central London, but it has a distinctly rural feel, with roaming deer, fields of bracken, and towering oaks.

There are several walking routes available in the park, but the Tamsin Trail will take you to many beautiful corners. This route is just over seven miles long and should take between three and four hours to complete, depending on your pace.

During the walk, make sure to stop off at King Henry's Mound near Pembroke Lodge to enjoy the protected view through the trees all the way to St Paul's Cathedral in Central London. And if your fingers and toes start to get numb, you can head for the café at Pembroke Lodge to warm up with a hot chocolate.

As you walk, keep your eyes peeled for the green parakeets who call the park home. Despite their origins in warmer climates, these hardy little birds are not put off by the British winter and it's lovely to see them flitting from tree to tree in the frosty mornings.

Where to stay: Richmond Hill Hotel is a beautifully refurbished 18th-century Georgian townhouse just moments from the park, with sweeping vistas over Petersham Meadows.

You can stay here with Country Living's exclusive deal, which includes a two-night stay with breakfast each morning and afternoon tea for two with a glass of champagne.

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2

Peak District - Higger Tor and Carl Wark

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The Peak District is home to a diverse range of amazing landscapes, with hills and moors offering dramatic panoramic views that will leave you with a renewed appreciation for the beauty of the British countryside.

This splendidly rugged national park offers seemingly endless routes for winter walks, from leisurely ambles through frosty lowlands to challenging hikes up steep peaks, rewarding you with awe-inspiring views.

A five-mile circular trail from Burbage Bridge is a good, moderately challenging walking route. The walk should take around two hours and will take you to Higger Tor, an imposing gritstone rock formation overlooking the Burbage Valley, and to an Iron Age fort at Carl Wark.

On cloudier days, navigation can be tricky here, so it's best enjoyed on a clear, crisp winter's day when you can fully appreciate the expansive views.

Where to stay: Mosborough Hall Hotel is a restored 12th-century manor just 30 minutes from Burbage Bridge by car. With cosy rooms, an intimate restaurant, and a modern bar, this hotel has everything you need for a relaxing break surrounded by incredible countryside.

Country Living is offering a two-night package, which includes a seven-course tasting menu.

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3

Bournemouth - Hengistbury Head

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While you might have Bournemouth down as a quintessentially British summer holiday spot, there's still plenty to enjoy in this seaside town in the colder months.

Bournemouth has miles of uninterrupted sandy beaches with a backdrop of sandy clay cliffs, which make for a wonderfully peaceful location for winter walks.

Venture out to the dramatic nearby Hengistbury Head for an easy three-and-a-half mile circular trail to really take in the beauty of England's south coast. This headland is an outstanding site for wildlife and archaeology and you'll be treated to views across the New Forest, Isle of Wight, and Purbecks as you walk.

This is a fairly easy route and relatively flat, so it is great for families with young children who are sure to be entertained by the rolling sand dunes and the sight of dogs frolicking on the beach.

Where to stay: The Hermitage is an iconic hotel on Bournemouth's seafront and makes a great winter bolthole. Afternoon tea is served daily, and there are hearty Sunday roasts every week. It's just a 15-minute drive from Hengistbury Head, or you might choose to stroll in the town's lovely park gardens, located right next to the hotel.

Enjoy a two-night stay with Country Living, which includes a full English breakfast each morning and dinner on your first night.

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4

Leicestershire - Melton Mowbray

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Melton Mowbray is located on the River Eye in the northeast of Leicestershire and is known as the food capital of the area. This is the home of both pork pies and Stilton cheese, both of which are still made here. So it's safe to say this is an important town for British culinary heritage.

And it will be easy enough to work up an appetite while staying here, with a range of pretty walking trails to explore in and around the town.

Try a moderately challenging circular route close to the town that starts and ends at the intriguing Burrough Hill Iron Age Fort and should take around two and a half hours. The route is six miles long and will take you up plenty of rolling hills from where you can enjoy views across the area's green pastures.

The walk will take you through the pretty village of Somerby, where you can make a pit stop at the charmingly named Stilton Cheese Inn, where you can refresh with a variety of real ales and, of course, a mouthwatering Stilton and onion soup.

Where to stay: Just outside Melton Mowbray in the Leicestershire countryside, Ragdale Hall combines state-of-the-art facilities and treatments with the charm of traditional Victorian architecture.

You can stay for two nights with Country Living's exclusive offer, which includes two 40-minute treatments, full use of the spa facilities, and all meals during your stay.

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5

Greenwich Peninsula

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Greenwich is a delightful corner of London. This borough is home to the Royal Observatory, Cutty Sark, the National Maritime Museum, and the Old Royal Naval College. Greenwich Park overlooks the Thames, offering some truly beautiful views of London's skyline and providing the perfect place for a leisurely winter stroll.

If you're looking for a longer walk, start at Greenwich Station and walk along the river to Woolwich. This route is around seven miles long and will take you along quiet lanes past the Cutty Sark and around the Greenwich Peninsula.

Along the way, you'll see attractive reminders of London's maritime history, and there are several historic pubs to dive into along the way if you start to feel a little tired or chilly.

Woolwich is a stop on the Elizabeth Line, which opened in 2022, meaning you can easily whizz back into central London to spend an evening tucked up in one of the capital's many fine restaurants or cosy bars.

Where to stay: The Pilot is part of a lovely terrace of little Georgian cottages surrounded by the modern skyscrapers of North Greenwich.

It's a welcoming pub dating from 1801 and has nautical paintings and ship's wheels adorning the walls, nodding to the area's maritime history.

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6

Yorkshire Dales - Bolton Abbey

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The Yorkshire Dales are home to some of the most spectacular hills and peaks in the country. The famous Yorkshire Three Peaks of Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-y-Ghent are among the highest in England and are a draw for walkers from around the world.

Bolton Abbey, a 12th-century Augustinian monastery, is right in the heart of the Dales, on the banks of the River Wharfe. There are several picturesque walks to take on and around the Bolton Abbey estate.

Why not try the relaxed two-mile route from Bolton Abbey Estate to Cavendish Pavilion? This will take you over the river, either on quaint stepping stones or by a footbridge if you're nervous about getting wet.

You'll then walk up a hill and turn into some lush woodlands before joining a path that leads back to the riverside. Cross a wooden bridge to find Cavendish Pavilion, where you can enjoy a warm drink to end your walk.

Where to stay: Devonshire Arms Hotel & Spa is on the Bolton Abbey Estate, set within 30,000 acres of rambling nature and with spectacular views of the inspiring Yorkshire Dales.

This a 17th-century countryside retreat that is a treat for foodies, with its indulgent restaurant, The Burlington, offering the perfect spot to refuel after a winter walk.

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7

The Cotswolds - Painswick to Slad

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Often picked out as one of the prettiest towns in the Cotswolds, Painswick makes a great base if you’re after a walking break.

You'll find miles of rolling pastures with wildlife and birds soaring overhead. You can also pay a visit to the country’s oldest bowling green and the famous churchyard of St. Mary, surrounded by its magnificent yew trees.

The Painswick to Slad circular walk will take you down into the Painswick Valley, through a small hamlet called Paradise, before making a final descent into the Slad Valley.

This seven-mile walk will take you through peaceful countryside that inspired Laurie Lee’s 1959 book Cider with Rosie, and you can even make a pit stop at Lee's local pub, The Woolpack, a charming old inn, for a local ale.

Where to stay: Court House Manor is a 16th-century building housing a cosy B&B with kooky décor in the centre of Painswick. The original features of the building have been preserved in some of the rooms, including wooden ceiling beams and wrought-iron windows.

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8

Edinburgh - Arthur's Seat

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If you're thinking about taking a city break this winter but would like to combine it with some wonderfully scenic walking, Edinburgh might be a good choice for you.

Scotland's capital has everything you need for an exciting weekend away, including fabulous shopping, historical landmarks, top-class museums, and a range of dining spots.

The city is within easy reach of some of Scotland's dramatic natural landscapes, but you don't even have to leave the city to find great places to walk.

Arthur's Seat and Holyrood Park are in the heart of the capital, a short walk from the city's Royal Mile. Arthur's Seat itself is the remains of an ancient volcano that now forms the main peak of the hills in this lovely park. There are several routes to reach the summit, but for a gentle walk, head through Hunter’s Bog and around the Salisbury Crags, a route which should take you to the top in under two hours.

Where to stay: Prestonfield House is a lavish country house hotel which sits in the lee of Arthur's Seat. Rooms are richly furnished with antiques and artwork, and the bedrooms have captivating views over the 20 acres of gardens and parkland.

It's the perfect place to return to after a long walk to relax and warm up in an unmistakably luxurious atmosphere.

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9

The Pembrokeshire Coast Path - St David's Peninsula

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Wales' Pembrokeshire Coast Path is an incredible 186-mile National Trail which runs through some of the most diverse coastal scenery in the UK.

The path along the coast of St David's Peninsula is one of the most spectacular sections of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. The peninsula is home to St David's, the smallest city in Britain. From here, you can look out across the dramatic sea from a wild landscape of rocky outcrops and fascinating historic monuments that teem with coastal wildlife.

A four-mile circular walk from Whitesands Beach will take you past the remains of a Neolithic burial chamber, the twinkling lighthouse of Strumble Head, and to an Iron Age coastal fort at the end of the peninsula.

The route is moderately challenging with some rocky parts, slopes and steps. At its highest point you'll be rewarded with views of Pen Beri and Cardigan Bay in the distance.

Where to stay: For an extra dose of history, stay at Roch Castle, which has a tumultuous history dating back to 1195. Nowadays, things are more peaceful here, and you'll find stylishly-designed interiors within the ancient stone walls and panoramic views out to sea and over to the Preseli Hills.

You'll be just a short drive from St David's, where you can explore the small but mighty city and enjoy bracing winter walks on the headland.

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10

West Sussex - South Downs National Park and Arundel Castle

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Arundel in West Sussex is situated between the South Downs National Park and the coast, on the banks of the River Arun and makes for a great base for exploring the ancient, rolling landscapes and discovering the region’s architecture on foot.

One favourite walking route is a circular, four-and-a-half-mile walk that will take you through the South Downs National Park to Arundel Castle. It will take you along the peaceful banks of Swanbourne Lake, where you can watch birds gliding along the water's surface.

History lovers will want to visit the castle itself on this walk, along with its stunning gardens. There are nearly 1,000 years of history at this castle, built at the end of the 11th century by Roger de Montgomery, Earl of Arundel. There's a coffee shop and café here too, so you can have a bite to eat before continuing your walk.

Where to stay: Amberley Castle is located in the stunning South Downs countryside around Arundel. You can enjoy further leisurely walks around its gorgeous 12-acre grounds before returning for modern, creative food in the hotel's restaurant.

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