The UK’s best winter walks

The Cotswolds

Bourton-on-the-Water to Lower Slaughter

Bourton-on-the-Water, affectionately known as the “Venice of the Cotswolds” is a picturesque village nestled along the tranquil River Windrush. Renowned for its vibrant café culture – with nearly a dozen cosy spots to choose from – the village is an ideal starting and finishing point for a countryside stroll, especially in the crisp, quieter winter months. This delightful five-mile circular walk takes you north through rolling fields and postcard-perfect landscapes, leading to the enchanting village of Lower Slaughter. At around the halfway mark, stop at The Slaughters Country Inn for some hearty refreshment or a warm drink by the fire. With its mix of gentle terrain and scenic beauty, this route caters to both seasoned hikers and casual walkers.

County Antrim, Northern Ireland

Ballintoy To The Giant’s Causeway

The Causeway Coastal Way is a breathtaking 33-mile route along the north-eastern coast of Northern Ireland, connecting Ballycastle to Portstewart. While completing the entire trail over two to three days is a rewarding adventure, the eight-mile section between Ballintoy Harbour and Giant’s Causeway stands out as a must-do for a single-day hike.

Begin your journey at Ballintoy Harbour, a picturesque spot famously featured as a filming location for Game of Thrones. From here, head west along the rugged coastline, passing dramatic sea stacks, hidden coves and sweeping ocean vistas. About half-way through you’ll encounter Dunseverick Castle, the remnants of an ancient fort dating back to the 5th century perched at the top of a cliff. 

The second half of the trail takes you into a wonderfully remote landscape. The grand finale is the Giant’s Causeway, a Unesco World Heritage Site celebrated for its striking hexagonal basalt columns. After taking in this geological wonder, a mile’s walk uphill leads to a bus stop, where the Causeway Rambler (402) will return you to Ballintoy.

Wiltshire

Tisbury circular, via Hindon and the Fonthill Estate

This 13.6-mile circular walk meanders around the enchanting 9,000-acre Fonthill Estate – and some of Wiltshire’s finest countryside. Wending westward from Tisbury through Fonthills’s open fields and woodland, the route then heads north along the Wessex Ridgeway to the village of Hindon, marking the halfway point. As with any good winter walk, pubs are a key attraction, particularly The Lamb at Hindon and, in the latter stages, The Beckford Arms (which has wonderful rooms for an overnight stay). In the closing stages of the walk, you’ll pass Fonthill’s serene lake and one of the country’s largest thatched barns, which is now home to the popular Messums Wiltshire gallery. A direct train whisks you from Waterloo to Tisbury in an hour and 45 minutes, so this is also very doable as a day trip for Londoners.  

Northumberland

Craster to Low Newton Coastal Walk

Some 40 miles north of Newcastle, the fishing village of Craster is the starting point for a bracing yet beautiful eight-mile circular walk along Northumberland’s rural coastline. It begins with coastal grasslands – keep an eye out for eider ducks on your approach to the 14th-century Dunstanburgh Castle ruins atop a rocky headland. From here, the sweeping sands of Embleton Bay open up, and The Ship Inn awaits at Low Newton-by-the-Sea for a lunchtime tipple before turning back on a separate path slightly inland. Dog-friendly with largely flat terrain, this is a good route for families.

North Yorkshire

Kettlewell to Grassington

The Yorkshire Dales market town of Grassington is a real gem, with a cobbled square, pubs and tea houses – and wonderful walks to choose from. Take advantage of a public bus service to make logistics simple: park in Grassington and catch the 72 bus north to Kettlewell before embarking on a stunning seven-mile return walk.

Heading south on the Dales Way, the route tracks alongside Wharfedale – one of Yorkshire’s most beautiful valleys – and the River Wharfe. Expect breathtaking views across meadows and ancient pastures. You can extend the route to 10 miles by staying on the bus one extra stop to Buckden.

Cornwall

Polzeath to Port Isaac

A walk of headlands and smugglers’ coves. Park on the beach at Polzeath and embark on one of the South-West Coast Path’s finest stretches, hugging the coast via exposed headlands and undulating into sheltered coves for about 10 miles. After rounding Pentire Point, the path heads north-east – and just before reaching the small hamlet of Port Quin, you’ll be met by the delightful 19th-century miniature fortress (or folly) of Doyden Castle, built by Samuel Symons to host friends and indulge in drinking and gambling.

Upon reaching Port Isaac, there’s a host of options to refuel. If you’re feeling extravagant, consider Nathan Outlaw’s one-Michelin-starred Outlaw’s New Road restaurant. Be sure to keep an eye out for Cornwall’s national bird, the chough.

Shropshire

Climbing Jack Trail, Mortimer Forest

A truly beautiful and testing nine-mile circular woodland walk, which (after clocking up a 500m ascent) rewards with panoramic views across rural Shropshire, Herefordshire and Wales at the summit of the High Vinnalls. Keep an eye out for goshawks and the long-haired fallow deer, which is only known to exist in these woods. After the walk, visit the historic town of Ludlow just a few hundred metres from the start point. Sir John Betjeman described it as “probably the loveliest town in England”, so be sure to stop by the 11th-century Ludlow Castle and the town’s abundant food and drink haunts.

North Yorkshire

The Settle Loop, Pennine Bridleway

This 10-mile circular walk heads uphill out of the historic market town of Settle on to the limestone upland above the town. From here there’s fantastic views of Ribblesdale and the Yorkshire Dales National Park, and at the far end of the loop, the glacial lake of Malham Tarn. Easily accessible by public transport – it’s a one-hour train ride from Leeds – and with plenty of outposts to enjoy a well-earned meal in, it ticks all the boxes for a bracing winter walk.

Kent

Dover to Deal: Three Castles Walk

One of England’s finest and most distinctive coastal walks, this linear route sets out from Dover heading north and finishes in the charming town of Deal, about eight miles away. After leaving the busy ferry port, you’ll soon be walking along the tops of the iconic White Cliffs of Dover. Pass by South Foreland Lighthouse to St Margaret’s Bay, once popular with smugglers (the tea room here is perfect for a warming cuppa).

From here, cliffs give way to tranquil pebble beaches and Walmer and Deal Castle, both built by Henry VIII in around 1539 to guard against French invasion. Deal Pier marks the end of the walk, from where you can catch a train to London in less than 1.5 hours. Hop on the bus back to Dover if you’ve parked at the ferry terminal.

Kent

Ightham Mote circular walk to Knole

A beautiful and challenging circular winter walk of eight and a half miles that takes you through the Kentish countryside. The trail is well marked and in parts follows the Greensand Way, passing through areas of outstanding natural beauty.

The walk starts at Ightham Mote, a 14th-century moated medieval manor house, and then heads out into the countryside along the Greensand Way, passing through rolling fields, ancient woodlands and farmland. It then climbs Rooks Hill where you are rewarded spectacular views over the Weald of Kent before descending into Knole Park, a vast deer park with ancient trees and beautiful vistas. After enjoying a refreshing cup of tea, follow the return leg to Ightham Mote and finish with a scenic path winding through the woods. 

For those using public transport, consider starting from the route’s westernmost point at Knole Park – it’s just a mile from Sevenoaks High Street and a mainline train station that’ll whisk you to London Charing Cross in just over 30 minutes.

Scotland

Braemar, Cairngorms National Park

Nestled in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, the Royal Deeside village of Braemar (about eight miles from Balmoral) is the perfect base for numerous outdoor activities – and countless stunning walks. This gentle four-mile route starts from the village, and climbs around 200m up the nearby hill of Creag Choinnich – which has wonderful panoramic views of the Cairngorms – before descending through mature pine woods and looping back alongside the River Dee.

The route also passes close to Braemar Castle, which was constructed in 1628 by John Erskine, Earl of Mar, as a hunting lodge.

Dorset

Worth Matravers, Jurassic Coast

This part of Dorset has a bounty of impressive walks – including Corfe Castle, Old Harry Rocks and Studland – and Worth Matravers is the perfect start and end point for walks along the Jurassic Coast, largely due to its cosy pub The Square & Compass, complete with flagstones and a wood burner (and plenty of car parking). This short three-mile circular loop sees walkers descend through rolling farmland before meeting up with the coastal path, where you’ll pass the abandoned quarries of Seacombe and Winspit, before looping back up a track to close the loop. The walk is easily extended if you want to see more of the stunning Purbeck coastline.

Cumbria

Gowbarrow Fell and Aira Force, Lake District

At 912 square miles, the Lake District is the largest National Park in England and home to 214 fells, including England’s highest mountain, Scafell Pike. In winter, many of the most dramatic walks can be treacherous, but this one is good year-round and equally impressive.

Covering four-and-a-half miles and with a respectable 366m of ascent, this family-friendly circular walk has woodland, thundering waterfalls, open fells and wonderful views of Ullswater from the rounded summit of Gowbarrow. British fell-walker Alfred Wainwright described it as thus: “Flowers, heather and bilberries bloom on the pleasant little ridge where stands the summit cairn.”

Wales

Cwm Idwal, Snowdonia National Park

Located in the mountainous north-west of Wales, not far from Bangor, Cwm Idwal is one of Snowdonia National Park’s awe-inspiring geological features. It has long drawn curious visitors, including Charles Darwin, who in 1831 observed that the large boulders scattered in the valley contained marine seashells.

This family-friendly, three-mile circular walk takes you around Llyn (Lake) Idwal and back again, providing a real flavour of the park’s highest and wildest peaks without requiring the experience or knowledge to explore them. That said, Devil’s Kitchen is a natural extension that leads off this path for those who want a challenge.

South Downs National Park, East Sussex

Glynde, Mount Caburn, and Lewes

Just down the road from Glyndebourne Opera House, Glynde is a quintessential East Sussex downland village – and the start and finish of this six-and-a-half mile walk. The route quickly segues into a National Nature Reserve, with the Iron Age fort Mount Caburn peaking above the horizon to the south. Soak in views of the Elizabethan manor house Glynde Place, as well as panoramas of the South Downs National Park, Ouse Valley and Lewes. Just one mile to the south is the chocolate-box village of Firle, situated at the foot of Firle Beacon, one of the highest points in the South Downs National Park. Here, tuck into a meal at The Ram Inn – a friendly country pub serving hearty British fare beside a warming fire.