The Woodland Trust has more than 1,000 woods which are free to visit and open every day, they share a selection of some their best winter walks on their locations.
Lineover Wood, Gloucestershire
Lineover Wood is a patchwork of ancient woodland, recent planting and limestone grassland creates a diverse haven for wildlife where rare plants and fungi flourish. The wood offers breathtaking views across Cheltenham and the Malvern Hills.
Avon Valley Woods, Devon
A hidden treasure in the rolling hills of South Hams, the Avon Valley Woods cluster along the valley side. Winter is a great time to spot a whole range of finches, blue tits and long tailed and great tits that tend to flock in large groups at this time of year. While the riverside walk can be muddy, the extensive path network at the top of the site offers grassy tracks and views across Devon.
READ MORE: Devon woodland named best place to enjoy bluebells
Home Farm, Hampshire
With eight miles of pathway through this mosaic of old and new woodland habitats, Home Farm will tire out the most energetic winter walker. Look up and see if you can spot a red kite or a kestrel wheeling overhead.
Hucking Estate, Kent
Perfect for wintry family adventures, Hucking serves up breathtaking views of the Kent Downs, ancient woodland to explore and swathes of open grassland where the kids can run off steam. It’s a must-visit in the South East – with a handy pub nearby for warming chilly toes.
Hucking Estate - Visiting Woods - Woodland Trust
READ MORE: Discover Kent’s pretty ancient woodlands
Hackfall, Grewelthorpe, North Yorkshire
Set in a 350ft gorge along the River Ure on the edge of the village of Grewelthorpe, Hackfall is a fragile ancient woodland habitat has been restored since the Woodland Trust took over. Stroll along footpaths and woodland walks and spot grottos and glades, temples and waterfalls as well as kingfisher, dipper and grey wagtail. You can also stay at the nearby enchanting Georgian folly called The Ruin.
Smithills Estate, Bolton, Lancashire
Smithills is the Woodland Trust’s largest site, steeped in history and shadowed by the famous Winter Hill TV mast, with panoramic views across to Bolton and Manchester. You’ll really be able to stretch your legs here in its vast expanses of moorland, patches of woodland and peat bog. Keep your eyes peeled for the elusive brown hare on the horizon.
Smithhills Estate - Visiting Woods - Woodland Trust
READ MORE: Lancashire History - the Bronze Age around Anglezarke
Tring Park, Hertfordshire
A 10-minute stroll from Tring’s famous Natural History Museum, there are lots of hidden treasures to find at Tring Park, in the form of a summerhouse and other miscellaneous structures that were added by James Gibbs. Climb the hill for amazing views of Hertfordshire and the Chilterns.
READ MORE: Follies to discover in Hertfordshire
You can locate your nearest free Woodland Trust site by entering your postcode at woodlandtrust.org.uk/findawood
