Winter WONDERFUL WALKS

Your Horse & Country Magazine

The National Trust cares for hundreds of walking trails in beautiful locations across the country and now it’s time to wrap up warm and brave the cold for a winter walk. Head to the coast for dramatic grey skies and thundering waves, blow away the cobwebs with clifftop walks and mountain climbs or follow inviting paths through frost-sprinkled parkland and historic gardens. Here are some of the best walking trails to give you a spring in your step during the cold winter months:

SOUTH EAST Cliveden, Berkshire

Positioned on top of chalk cliffs and overlooking the River Thames, Cliveden’s magnificent gardens and woodlands offer breathtaking views that have been admired for centuries. The view from the South Terrace at Cliveden on a crisp winter’s morning is a memorable one, looking out over the beautiful six-acre parterre and across the Thames Valley. Trails also criss-cross through miles of woodland and down to the banks of the Thames.

Dogs welcome

Osterley Park and House, Middlesex

Osterley Park and House is a beautifully preserved Georgian country estate just a short distance from central London. With its acres of parkland and idyllic farmland, the estate is still full of colour at this time of year, with the winter display in the Garden House a particular delight. In the Winter Garden look out for brightly coloured stems of dogwood and willow and scent from winter honeysuckle.

Dogs welcome in the park and designated area on the front lawn

Tennyson Down, Isle of Wight

There are over 20 downloadable trails to enjoy on the Isle of Wight, taking in rolling downland, woods, and dramatic coastline. Follow in the footsteps of Alfred Lord Tennyson and stride out on an invigorating walk over Tennyson Down. Take in splendid views of the iconic Needles, and look out for peregrine falcons riding the breeze as they patrol the coastline, whilst migrant terns and ducks pass over the sea. At weekends in winter, you can nip into the Old Battery fort for takeaway hot drinks and warming treats such as pasties, soup and sandwiches.

Dogs welcome

SOUTH WEST Hidcote, Gloucestershire

Whatever the weather, there’s always something interesting to see on a walk through the gardens designed by Lawrence Johnston. Set in the rolling Cotswold hills, the magnificent estate is divided into a series of “outdoor rooms”, each with its own individual character. Take a stroll through the Old Garden and don’t miss the beautiful Italian Shelter near the bathing pool, a tranquil spot to shelter from wind and rain.

Assistance dogs only in the garden, but there are walks in the surrounding countryside

Buckland Abbey, Devon

Buckland Abbey is steeped in more than 700 years of history, from the Cistercians who built the abbey and farmed the estate to the seafarers Grenville and Drake. There are walking trails to follow, showcasing the best of the estate’s winter colour — one pictureperfect spot is Beech Avenue, with beautiful gold and orange leaves overhead and underfoot, and views over the Tavy valley. Or crunch along the woodland path through towering oaks and beeches in Great North Wood. Look out for badgers, barn owls and deer.

Dogs on a lead welcome on estate walks and inside the Ox Yard café

Tyntesfield, North Somerset

Just seven miles from the centre of Bristol, Tyntesfield nestles in a tranquil landscape overlooking the Yeo valley. One of the last surviving Victorian estates in the country, the house is a masterpiece of Gothic revival style and its turrets, towers and family chapel take on a special aura in winter thanks to atmospheric mists and frost. The formal terraces in front of the house, the grand topiary-lined walks, the arboretum for rare trees and the intimate rose garden can all be enjoyed.

Dogs welcome except for in the Rose Garden and Kitchen Garden

Studland Bay, Dorset

Four miles of beautiful beaches line the sheltered waters of Studland Bay. Backed the beaches stretch from the boundary of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site at Old Harry Rocks north to Shell Bay. A chain ferry provides a link to Poole and Bournemouth. Winter wildlife includes Sanderlings dashing along the water’s edge and comically following the waves up and down. Take a stroll down to Middle Beach where a small flock of Brent Geese are a common sight. There are a wide range of ground nesting birds in the dunes, so please keep your dogs under control. However, well behaved dogs are welcome during this period off leads.

Midlands

Attingham Park, Shropshire

From the moment you enter Attingham’s gates, the views open across 200-year old parkland to the Shropshire hills and the impressive Regency mansion emerges against silhouettes of cedar trees. Cattle graze and fallow deer roam, historic trees cluster in woodland glades, and beautiful stretches of the Severn and Tern can be enjoyed. The many ponds are a haven for wildlife of all sorts, from ducks and swans to otters. Dogs welcome

Longshore, Burbage and the Eastern Moors, Derbyshire

A countryside haven on Sheffield’s doorstep, the Peaks have a network of footpaths and bridleways. The Longshaw Estate is a gateway to the Peak District, home to ancient woods, parkland and heather moorland. Walking at Longshaw can be a stroll to the pond, an easy-to-follow waymarked walk or a serious hike. Follow waymarked walk with arrows from just outside the Longshaw Lodge or download a walk before you set off.

Keeping your dog on a lead in the Peak District ensures that wildlife, livestock and other visitors are safe. If you ever feel threatened in a situation with your dog with livestock close by, it is advised to release the lead, and reach safety separately.

 along the Suffolk-Essex border. This charming hamlet was the inspiration for some of John Constable’s most famous pictures, for example, the Hay Wain or Boatbuilding near Flatford Mill among many others. Follow in Constable’s footsteps visiting Flatford, East Bergholt and Dedham. Wandering beside the River Stour or looking at Flatford Mill and Willy Lott’s House you can feel as if you are actually walking through one of his paintings. It’s even more magical if you’re visiting on a crisp and frosty morning.

Ickworth, Suffolk

An Italianate Palace in the heart of Suffolk with over 1800 acres of beautiful parkland, woodland, Italianate Gardens and an allweather trail to enjoy, Ickworth is the perfect place to get back to nature. The Monument Walk makes a great winter walk. The circular route weaves through the historic estate and offers breath-taking views across the landscape. Explore a mixture of open parkland and woodland glades, and take in the church and obelisk monument.

YORKSHIRE AND NORTH EAST Cragside, Northumberland

Rocky crags, tumbling waterfalls, lakes and towering North American conifers create stunning winter scenery at Cragside. The gardens and grounds of this Arts and Crafts house offer 1,000 acres and many routes to explore. From the Formal Garden the views are magnificent when the sun is low.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, North Yorkshire

The ruins of Fountains Abbey are truly something to behold, especially on a frosty winter’s day. Walk down the path from the visitor centre, and come face to face with some of the oldest abbey ruins in the country. From the abbey follow the gentle banks of the River Skell down to the 18th-century Water Garden, which has been channelled into canals, cascades and tranquil moon ponds. From here riverside paths lead to the deer park, home to Red, Fallow and Sika deer and ancient trees; limes, oaks, and sweet chestnuts.

Gibside, Tyne and Wear

Gibside is one of a few surviving 18th-century designed landscapes and was fashioned with two things in mind: spectacular views and ‘wow’ moments. Here, you can escape the hustle and bustle of modern life within 600 acres of gardens, woodland and countryside – perfect for wildlife spotting. Highlights include a Neo-classical chapel, restored stable block and grand ruin. In winter you may not see signs of Gibside’s protected species such as bats and great crested newts, as they’re all tucked up for winter, but you’ll have a great chance of seeing roe deer, red kites, winter birds and maybe even an otter or a fox.

Souter Lighthouse, Tyne and Wear

Hooped in red and white and standing proud on the coastline midway between the Tyne and the Wear, Souter Lighthouse is reached by car in less than half an hour from Newcastle, and less than 15 minutes from Sunderland. Once the site of a busy mining community, these cliffs are now home instead to the solitary lighthouse and a whole host of seabirds, like fulmar and cormorant. Walk north and discover The Leas with its wildflower meadows or head South to the Whitburn Coastal Park which is criss-crossed with paths and coastal trails.

North West

Dunham Massey, Cheshire

The gardens at this Georgian estate near Manchester are bursting with colour well into winter. Walk through the parkland’s treecovered avenues, smell the familiar “burnt sugar” scent of candyfloss coming from the katsura trees along the canal and listen out for the resident herd of fallow deer among the rustling of the leaves underfoot. The Stables restaurant serves a variety of warming foods, from soup to luxury pumpkin spice lattes.

Speke Hall, Garden and Estate, Liverpool

Barely 8 miles from the Liver Building, Speke Hall is a rare Tudor timber-framed manor house in an unusual setting on the banks of the River Mersey. The Hall is surrounded by restored gardens and protected by a collar of woodland. Take the estate walk and you’ll enjoy fine views of the Wirral, North Wales and even Liverpool’s city centre skyline. Or head down to the Coastal Reserve for great views of wading birds and a walk up the Bund to see unique glimpses of the Hall through the trees before spring arrives.

WALES Chirk Castle, Wrexham

At Chirk Castle there are 480 acres of meadow, grassland and beautiful woodland, full of ancient trees that look particularly stunning against a wintry landscape. On a crisp clear day, on the Old Golf Walk you can see the Forest of Bowland 70 miles to the north, and the Peak District 65 miles to the east.

Erddig, Wrexham

For over 300 years visitors have been welcomed to explore the parkland at Erddig. The Yorke family did not want to hide their beautiful estate away, understanding the value of nature to the health and wellbeing of their local community. The Erddig Clywedog riverside walk is a short circular walk taking you through the parkland to the historic village of Felin Puleston. The route includes the unusual Cup and Saucer waterfall.

The Scottish Equestrian Hotel

What better way to spend your winter getaway, than to visit the Scottish Equestrian Hotel in Lanark. Situated in one of the most beautiful and accessable areas of Scotland, just 40 mins from Glasgow and Edinborough airports.

They’re surrounded by fabylous walks, great golf courses, mountain biking tracks and amazing history. Whatever youy want to do, be it riding holidays or leisure, you will find it here!

Capel Manor College is the only college in Europe to run a full-time saddlery course.

Our saddlery and leatherwork courses teach skills through practical demonstrations and hands-on workshops at our Enfield Campus.

Skills learnt on our courses are transferable, and our students go on to work with a wide range of employers such as Master Saddlers, luxury leather goods makers, the British Army and fashion designers.

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“My school’s sixth form led me to creative and handson subjects and that is when I knew I wanted to study something artistic and work with my hands. I chose Capel Manor College because it offered a two-year saddlery course and I went to look around and loved the place. capel.ac.uk especially fortunate to be working in the old stable block. It is a great atmosphere to have learned in and I met some great people.

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Capel Manor College is the most beautiful place to study because of the Gardens and the building. We were

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