Winter walks that we recommend, and they are mostly free.   North Northumberland   Bedlington        Plessey Woods Country Park The 100 acres of woodland, meadow and riverside are an ideal place for a family day out and getting closer to nature. Explore on foot or cycle from the visitors centre on easy paths for pushchairs, choose a self guided trail or venture further into the countryside. North Yorkshire Pickering        Dalby Forest Enjoy the landscape of the forest, the lakeside or upland walks following the trails or try out the adventure play area. The visitor centre provides a welcome hot drink on a winters day.   Lancashire Blackburn         Witton Country Park & Visitors Centre Plenty on offer whatever the weather, roam in parkland, play chase in the woodland, enjoy riverside walks or open fields and then take advantage of the visitor centre and new play area. Nottinghamshire  Ollerton        Rufford Country Park Take a relaxing stroll around 150 acres of parkland, woodland and gardens in the setting of what remains of a 12th century abbey. There are picturesque lakeside walks, a sculpture trail and the added bonus of a children’s play village and craft centre.   Central West Midlands Birmingham        Lickey Hills Country Park Listen out for the musical sculptures if you take the sculpture trail or choose the circular walk and head up to the toposcope on Beacon View. Shropshire  Church Stretton     Carding Mill Valley Stunning views whether you take a long or short walk from the National Trust visitor centre, take the path to New Pool Reservoir or up to Light Spout Hollow to keep little ones interested or stride out further afield with the energetic ones! Leicestershire    Moira            Conkers Discovery Centre The Conkers Circuit is perfect for a family walk, wildlife ramble or cycle ride. Get outdoors on the way marked woodland trails, taking in the Albert Village Lake and woodland. Staffordshire Stoke on Trent    Biddulph Grange Country Park Follow the brook up the hill in the direction of the ‘Hydroelectric Walk’ taking you to the lake and ponds at the top. On your return pop into the reopened visitors centre run by volunteers to find out more about the park’s Victorians history and why the lakes are there. Northamptonshire Corby         East Carlton Country Park One hundred acres of woodland and ponds. Walk through the woods and grassland and see if you can spot any of the wildlife. Bedfordshire Bedford        Marston Vale Millennium Country Park For walkers and cyclists, there are eight kilometers of traffic-free, surfaced footpaths and cycle paths. Explore the beautiful wetland nature reserve on the wetland trail.   East Cambridgeshire Cambridge        The Backs A lovely walk for all ages to enjoy the ambience of the city with views of the colleges across the river.  Beautiful in winter. Norfolk Thetford        Thetford Forest Park Set in the middle of the forest is High Lodge where families can explore the walkways and adventure playgrounds. Suffolk West Stow        West Stow Country Park A 52 hectare country park bursting with life. There are plenty of opportunities for picnics, walks and trails in woodland and heathland, along the river Lark and around the lake. Hertfordshire Welwyn Garden City    Stanborough Park A beautiful countryside park, covering an area of 126 acres, on the outskirts of Welwyn Garden City.  Explore the 2 lakes and nature trail. Essex Brentwood         Thorndon Country Park A beautiful country park containing a diverse range of habitats.  Choose from a walk in precious woods, historic parkland or the timeless commons. Lee Valley        Lee Valley Regional Park The award-winning park stretches 26 miles along the leafy banks of the River Lee, from Ware in Hertfordshire, through Essex, to the Thames at East India Dock Basin. The Lea Valley Walk is one of the jewels in the park's crown; follow the swan symbol, which marks the route. South Kent Dover         The White Cliffs of Dover (National Trust Property, no entrance charge) Public footpaths towards St Margaret's and Deal, with lovely views across the Channel. There are seabirds and wild ponies to look out for and the Visitor Centre is open daily, except 24-26 December. Goudhurst         Bedgebury Forest and National Pinetum Collect a Winter Trail leaflet and look out for the variety of wildlife. There are so many species of trees, all very pretty with a wintry dusting. Car park charges are applicable. Sussex Rye            Camber Castle Walk at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve This circular seaside walk is 3.5 miles long and passes Camber Castle. The Castle is closed in Winter, but there are bird watching hides and a lots of interesting seashore fauna and flora to explore. East Grinstead to Groomsbridge     Forest Way Country Park There are four circular walks to be enjoyed. The trail starts at Forest Row and ends at Groombridge, running along a disused railway line, forming a green corridor. Look out for badger tracks, deer and foxes. Surrey Dorking        Leith Hill (National Trust property, no entrance charge) Climb up the highest summit in south east England and pick up a leaflet to go on the nature trails. The tower is open on weekends only. Epsom        Horton Country Park and Nature Reserve The Country Park is a large area of fields, hedgerows, woods and ponds, holding treasures such as bluebell woods and the Green Woodpecker.  Visitors to the reserve can enjoy a range of activities including walking, cycling, running, dog walking, nature watching, kite flying, orienteering, fruit picking, golf and many more. Hampshire New Forest        New Forest National Park The forest is a living and working place, much of which is made up of woodland and open heathland, where ponies and cattle freely graze the land and there is also an abundance of wildlife such as snakes, frogs and lizards. The New Forest is a haven for the cyclist, horse riders and walkers and all year round there are guided walks where local experts will tell you about the history, geology and wildlife of the park. Isle of Wight Yarmouth        Fort Victoria Country Park At Hampshire’s biggest country park, there are extensive trails for walking, and off-road cycling and a children’s adventure play trail. The park has a range of habitats including grassland and woodland and there are four water features.  The surrounding Country Park offers seashore and woodland walks and the site is one of the best vantage points for watching the Solent’s boats and shipping. Dorset Swanage        Durlston Country Park Near Swanage, this park is the gateway to the Jurassic coastline and a World Heritage Site with woodland and wildlife trails Weymouth        Radipole Lake RSPB Nature Reserve A nature reserve in central Weymouth sounds unlikely, but once you are on the footpath spotting the different birds amongst the reed beds around the freshwater lake, you could be far away in the countryside.  Visitor centre open daily. Poole         Upton Country Park The estate includes farmland, woodland, saltmarsh trails and a replica Roman Farm.  There is a 16-mile trailway suitable for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. South West Somerset Bridgwater to Taunton        Somerset Space Walk Walk along the towpath of the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal to discover a true scale model of the sun and planets in their orbits. Start at the sun at Higher Maunsel Lock and walk in either direction – Pluto is nearly seven miles away! near Yeovil         Ham Hill Country Park Centred on an Iron Age hill fort, this 390-acre country park has hilly landscape, woodlands and quarry areas to explore. There are compass trails and an orienteering course for older children. Wiltshire Steeple Langford        Langford Lakes Nature Reserve A nature reserve consisting of three lakes and a short stretch of the River Wylye. There are level paths, bird hides and a visitor centre. Remember binoculars for bird spotting. near Swindon     Stanton Park Woodland, parkland, meadows and lakes make this a perfect setting for nature rambles. Surfaced paths provide easy access. Gloucestershire Newent     May Hill Pick a clear day to climb this landmark hill with the clump of trees on top. Even reluctant walkers will be impressed by the views. Several routes lead to the top so a good chance to practise map reading. Northleach     Sherborne Estate A 2.5-mile family fun walk starts from the Ewe Pen Barn car park (turn off A40 opposite Lodge Park). Look out for sculptures and the Ice House. Go to www.nationaltrust.org.uk to download a guide. Bristol & Bath Area Bristol     Leigh Woods Woodland on the very edge of the city. Choose from three waymarked trails starting from Coronation Avenue car park (off A369 to Portishead). Find a hill fort, sculptures and views over the River Avon. Yatton     Strawberry Line Walk a stretch of this disused railway line, now an 11-mile walking and cycling route from Yatton to Cheddar. The route runs through the North Somerset Levels and Mendip Hills AONB. Cornwall Mount Edgcumbe Country Park Over 800 acres of parkland that is a combination of formal gardens, temples, follies and woodlands around the Tudor House and the estate includes a ten-mile stretch of Cornish coastline. China Clay Country Park The park is part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site and there are nature trails with a children’s woodland play area and adventure course. Devon Grand Western Canal Country Park and Nature Reserve The Country Park is a great place to walk or cycle as it is a flat and easy walk, with the Canal towpath running beside the canal for the full 11.25 miles. The canal itself hosts many species of birds and the country park has an abundance of wildlife. Dartmoor National Park Over 350 square miles of open moorland and wooded gorges and rocky rivers, Dartmoor is the wildest area of open country in the South West. The Park Authority runs a programme of guided walks.