The UK’s 10 best Winter Walks
As the cold months creep in, travel experts have revealed the 10 best UK walks for embracing the winter weather.
Less than a third of Brits get enough exercise in the winter months, with many quick to avoid the cold temperatures, wind and rain.
However, despite the weather, it’s crucial that people still get outdoors, and holiday park operator Verdant Leisure, has teamed up with Dr Deborah Lee from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy to discuss the importance of exercising outside, even if it means braving the cold:
“Outdoor exercise has numerous mental health benefits, and has been shown to lower stress, anxiety and depression. Exercising outdoors also reduces anger and tension. It doesn’t matter what type of exercise you do – any type of physical exertion done outdoors in nature makes all the difference.”
To encourage people to get out and enjoy a winter walk, Callam Mcloughlin, travel expert at Verdant Leisure, has curated a list of the top 10 walking destinations for embracing and enjoying the cold, based on TripAdvisor reviews, rainfall, snowfall and social media mentions.
- Seven Sisters, Eastbourne, East Sussex
Officially recognised as an area of natural beauty, the Seven Sisters walk was created when ancient rivers cut valleys into the ground and created seven breathtaking peaks. The walk now boasts 402,000 Instagram hashtag mentions and a five-star rating on TripAdvisor. The park features an array of unique sights, such as multiple shipwrecks and stunning coastal views, so if you find yourself wanting an outdoor walk in the coming months, Seven Sisters is the ideal spot.
- Cragside, Rothbury, Northumberland
Whether you’re looking for an easy afternoon stroll, or something more challenging, Cragside in Rothbury offers 40-miles of trails to choose from. Not only is it likely to see good levels of snow in the winter to get you in the festive spirit, but the area also has 30,000 Instagram mentions, with magnificent photography to match. Featured in ‘Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom’, Cragside’s stunning scenery is perfect for a winter stroll.
- Crickley Hill, Gloucester, Cotswolds
Crickely Hill, located on the 164km Cotswold Way trail, is an ideal spot for wildlife watching, enjoying great views and embracing winter scenery. Found between the historic market town of Chipping Campden and the city of Bath, the walk offers the ultimate combination of natural beauty and cultural interest. With over 5,000 mentions on Instagram, it’s a favourite amongst nature lovers.
- Malham Cove, Skipton, Yorkshire
Just 300 yards from the center of Malham village, with ample cafes to grab a bite to eat and a hot chocolate, Malham Cove is a well-loved winter walk. The trek to the cove takes you through scenic countryside, famous for its rock face and natural limestone pavement. As well as being a filming location for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 1), the walk has an impressive five-star rating on Tripadvisor and 71,000 hashtags on Instagram. The River Aire also runs through the valley, adding to the peaceful ambience of this popular walking destination.
- Faskally Forest, Pitlochry, Perthshire
Faskally Forest, near Pitlochry in Perthshire, is a beautiful woodland known for its peaceful loch-side trails, ideal for easy walks in the cold, according to over 400 four- and five-star Tripadvisor reviews. Originally a ‘model’ forest planted in the 19th century, it is now an excellent spot for gentle winter walks through dense woodland, alongside Loch Dunmore. Faskally Forest is part of the larger Tay Forest Park and is home to the popular Enchanted Forest light show in October and November, making it the perfect place for a stroll from autumn right through to winter.
- Sycamore Gap, Hadrian’s Wall, Crag Lough, Northumberland
Sycamore Gap is one of the most iconic locations along Hadrian’s Wall, famed for its once solitary tree framed between the hills of Crag Lough. Despite the famous tree being cut down last year, the walk still offers amazing views of Northumberland National Park, following sections of the ancient Roman wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sycamore Gap gained fame after appearing in the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and around 5000 photos of the natural beauty have been shared to Instagram.
- Belhaven Beach, Dunbar, East Lothian
Belhaven Beach, near Dunbar in East Lothian, is a wide, sandy beach that stretches for miles along the coast, with views over the Firth of Forth. While the beach might not be an obvious choice for a brisk winter walk, its flat path along the hard frozen sand is well suited to walkers, with 1000 hashtags on Instagram. The beach is also known for the ‘bridge to nowhere’ which appears at high tide. At low tide the bridge is functional, and the locals use it to cross the stream and enter Belhaven Beach, but when the sea comes in it turns into a great photo opportunity… but a less useful bridge.
- John Muir Way, Dunbar, East Lothian
The John Muir Way is a long-distance walking route named after the Scottish American conservationist, John Muir, that has racked up over 11,000 Instagram hashtags. The full walk stretches 134 miles from Helensburgh to Muir’s birthplace in Dunbar. The Dunbar section offers scenic coastal paths along the East Lothian shore, with views of cliffs, beaches, and wildlife. The shorter route is perfect for hikers of all abilities, while the full trail (coast-to-coast) would take around 9-11 days over relatively flat terrain.
- Dunstanburgh Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland
The walk to Dunstanburgh Castle takes you along the Northumberland coastline from the village of Craster. The castle, a ruin perched on a headland, was built in the 14th century and offers amazing views of the surrounding seascape. With 27,300 hashtags on Instagram, the walk is relatively easy and passes through dramatic scenery, including rocky beaches, fields, and cliffs. The castle’s isolated location gives it a moody atmosphere, making it a favorite spot for local winter walks.
- Barnard Castle, County Durham
Barnard Castle, built in the 12th century, offers impressive views over the river and the surrounding countryside of County Durham. It’s a great destination for winter walks, as well as checking your eyesight.
The site has over 57,300 Instagram hashtags that showcase visitors walking around the castle grounds and the surrounding countryside. The nearby Deepdale and Teesdale areas offer further walking opportunities along scenic riverbanks and through wooded areas.
To find the best winter and rainy-day activities, visit: https://www.verdantleisure.co.uk/our-journal/rainy-day-winter-activities/
