The National Trust

National Trust winter walks

Get out and about this winter. Whether you want to enjoy clear, seasonal days, learn something new or burn off those Christmas calories, National Trust places have some great walks to explore. Feel the frost beneath your feet as you make new discoveries in landscapes across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Here’s a selection of events on offer in late 2011 and early 2012:

Seaton Delaval Hall, Northumberland
Pleasure Ground Walk, 23 December, 12.30pm-2.30pm
Do you know an avenue from an obelisk, or a haha from a bastion? This walk takes in all those and more of the elements of the eighteenth century pleasure ground around Seaton Delaval Hall.
Normal admission charges apply plus there is an event charge of £2 per person.
Booking is not required for this event.
For more information please call 0191 237 9100.

Attingham Park, Shropshire
Boxing Day Walk, 26 December 11am-1pm
Burn off any Christmas excesses with a walk across the beautiful parkland of the Attingham Estate. Grounds will be open to walkers until dusk.
Normal admission charges apply plus there is an event charge of £6 per adult and £3 per child.
Booking is not required for this event.
For more information please call 01743 708123.

Flatford: Bridge Cottage, Suffolk
Constable Country Ramble: Boxing Day in the Stour Valley, 26 December 10.30am-1pm
Enjoy a 4 mile guided ramble through the beautiful landscape of the Stour Valley, using quiet footpaths to explore the rich tapestry of fields and woods that were the inspiration for the artist John Constable.
No admission charges apply, event charge of £6 per person.
Booking is essential for this event.
For more information please call 01206 298260.

Quarry Bank Mill and Styal Estate, Cheshire
Boxing Day Walk, 26 December 10am-12pm
Walk off the turkey on the Styal Estate, through the riverside, farmland and woodland in the valley of the River Bollin.
Booking is not required for this event.
For more information please call 01625 445845.

Castle Drogo, Devon
Wind Down and Warm Up, 27 December – 01 January 11am-4pm
Relax after Christmas with a walk in the fresh air of the Drogo Gardens and Estate, recharge your batteries in our café and indulge in some retail therapy away from the crowds in our shop! Make a New Year’s resolution and add it to our resolution tree. Children can also follow our trail around the gardens and grounds to discover the extreme activities some people take part in order to ‘Wind Down and Warm Up’.
Normal admission charges apply plus there is an additional charge of £1.50 per child per trail, which includes a prize.
Booking is not required for this event.
For more information please call 01647 433306.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, Yorkshire
On the Hoof, 27 December, 10.45am-12.30pm
Enjoy the sight of the wild deer herd munching through their winter feed in the medieval deer park.
Normal admission charges apply but there are no additional event charges.
Booking is not required for this event.
For more information please call 01765 608888.

Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire
Tinsel Trek, 29 December 10am-12pm
Blow away the cobwebs with a 6 mile winter walk lead by the Senior Warden around the Park and burn off those Christmas calories. Come as a ‘tinsel trekkie’ (fancy dress optional!) for your chance to win lunch for two.
Normal admission charges apply but there are no additional event charges.
Booking is not required for this event.
For more information please call 01909 544917

Lanhydrock, Cornwall
The Winter Garden Walk, 29 December 10am – 1pm
Revive from the Christmas festivities in the fresh air with Head Gardener Tommy Teagle, as he explains all about the work the garden team do over the winter in preparation for the spring. A great way to see the fantastic Winter Garden, the walk is followed by a warming two-course lunch in the historic restaurant.
No admission charges apply, walk and lunch £15 per person.
Booking is essential for this event.
For more information please call 01208 265950

Chartwell, Kent
New Year’s Day walk and brunch, 01 January 10.30am-1.45pm
Celebrate the new year in style with a guided woodland walk in the grounds of Chartwell, followed by a traditional English Brunch and a glass of Bucks Fizz served in The Mulberry Room.
No admission charges apply, walk and lunch £22 per adult and £12 per child.
Booking is essential for this event.
For more information please call 01732 861161.

Nymans, West Sussex
Souper Strolls, 9-13 January from 11am
Join the woods team on regular departures as they teach you to identify leafless trees in the Nymans woods during winter. After a refreshing stroll, warm up in the restaurant with samples of homemade soups made from fresh, local, seasonal produce.
Normal admission charges apply but there are no additional event charges.
Booking is not required for this event.
For more information please call 01444 405250.

Penrhyn Castle, Bangor
Head Gardener’s walk, 19 January 11.30am-2.30pm
Join our Head Gardener for a stroll around the glorious grounds of Penrhyn, followed by a two course lunch in the tea rooms.
No admission charges apply, ticket charge £20 per person including lunch and tea/coffee.
Booking is essential for this event.
For more information please call 01248 353084.

The National Trust receives over 12 million visitors every year

Wouldn’t you like to spend fabulous days out seeing fabulous properties and gardens?

TO LINK THROUGH TO THE NATIONAL TRUST SIMPLY CLICK THEIR LOGO ABOVE

The National Trust was founded in 1895 by three Victorian philanthropists – Miss Octavia Hill, Sir Robert Hunter and Canon Hardwicke Rawnsley. Concerned about the impact of uncontrolled development and industrialisation, they set up the Trust to act as a guardian for the nation in the acquisition and protection of threatened coastline, countryside and buildings. More than a century later, it now cares for over 248,000 hectares (612,000 acres) of beautiful countryside in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, plus more than 700 miles of coastline and more than 200 buildings and gardens of outstanding interest and importance. Most of these properties are held in perpetuity and so their future protection is secure. The vast majority are open to visitors and so The National Trust is constantly looking at ways in which to improve public access and on-site facilities.

For details on how to become a member just click The National Trust Logo above and that will take you through to their website with full details on how to join.