Walks And Walking – National Trust Winter Walks

Walks And Walking – National Trust Winter Walks

You can’t quite beat the icy cold air from an embracing Winter walk. I always think you should do every walk at least four times so that you get to see the surroundings, countryside, forest or landscape in all its year round beauty. The snow adds that extra bit of excitement to any walking route whether it be a woodland walk in Epping Forest, a waterfall country walk in Wales or a long trek across Bodmin Moor in Cornwall.

The Forest Way is a favourite walk of mine that leads from Epping Forest all the way up to Hatfield Forest. Hatfield Forest is a rare surviving example of a medieval royal hunting forest and is now owned by the National Trust. The National Trust have a huge list of nationwide Winter gardens that make great locations for a good Winter walk where you can blow away the cobwebs and enjoy a refreshing walk in a frosty garden.

Winter Walks – Walks And Walking

The National Trust’s Top Ten Winter Gardens

The Stourhead Estate in Wiltshire is set around a huge lake with plenty to see and do including classicial and gothic buildings, woodlands, a mystical grotto and a unique circular temple dedicated to Apollo

Dinefwr Park and Castle is located in Carmarthenshire and dates back to the 18th-century with five walks across the estate with the rare and historic White Park cattle grazing in the medieval parklands.

Anglesey Abbey, Garden and Lode Mill is situated in Cambridgeshire and offers an atmospheric Emperor’s Walk and over 150 species of plant in its Winter Garden.

Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire offers over 3,000 acres of green space and makes a great day out for long distance walkers with the longest lime tree avenue in Europe.

Dunham Massey is located in Cheshire and is the largest Winter Garden in the UK with over 700 different species of plant and over 1,600 different types of shrub.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden is situated in Yorkshire and is a World Heritage Site that offers extensive ruins of the Cistercian abbey, elegant temples, neo-classical statues, canals and moon shaped ponds of the Royal Water Garden.

Killerton in Devon offers far reaching views of Dartmoor and Haldon Hill as well as an Ice House and the Bear’s Hut summerhouse

Mottisfont is situated in Hampshire and is a newly created Winter Garden inspired by the River Test with over 5,000 new plants and species of shrub.

Rowallane Garden in County Down offers an enchanting garden, walled garden, Pleasure Grounds and a very enjoyable walk around the famous Rock Garden Wood.

Stowe Landscape Garden is situated in Buckinghamshire offering wide open spaces, wooded valleys, and ornamental lakes, spectacular views, hidden corners and over 40 temples and monuments.

For more details of The National Trust’s Top Ten Winter Gardens click here.

For the latest membership offers please click here.

Walks And Walking – Long Walks in Epping Forest

Walks And Walking – Long Walks in Epping Forest

These walks are typically between 5 to 10 miles long and can be quite challenging. These types of walks can take between 3 to 5 hours to complete at a good walking pace. Epping Forest has a myriad of pathways so always make sure you have a paper or digital map with you and take refreshments and plenty of liquids with you to keep hydrated. There are plenty of Epping Forest Fallow Deer, Muntjacs and other wildlife to be found on these walking routes so it is always worth keeping as quite as you can to avoid scaring them off  before you get to see them!

Walks And Walking – Long Walks in Epping Forest

Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge Walk
An easy 6 mile circular walk from Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge to High Beach and back via the Epping Forest Green Ride walking routes.

Chingford Walk
An easy 6 mile circular walk from Chingford to the famous Epping Forest Bikers Cafe.

Pole Hill Walk
An easy 6 mile circular walk from Chingford to Pole Hill Obelisk and back via the Epping Forest Centenary Walk.

Gilwell Park Walk
A good 6 mile circular walk around Gilwell Park, home of the Scout Association, with a Secret Bluebell Wood Video as an extra bonus!

High Beach Church Walk
A simple 7 mile circular walk from Chingford to High Beach Church and back via the Centenary Walk, one of Epping Forest’s most well known walking routes.

Oak Trail Walk
A gentle 7 mile circular walk along The Oak Trail, one of the official Epping Forest walking routes, including buffer lands, deer sanctuary and Ambresbury Banks.

High Beach Walk
A good 7 mile circular High Beach walk from Connaught Water in Chingford including a visit to the Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge.

Upshire Walk
A good 7 mile circular walk from High Beach, in the heart of Epping Forest, following The Forest Way walking routes through to Upshire and Copped Hall Gardens.

Waltham Abbey Walk
A leisurely 7 mile circular walk from Waltham Abbey through the Epping Forest Lee Valley Park walking routes and the Royal Gunpowder Mills.

Chipping Ongar Walk
A good 7 mile circular walk in Chipping Ongar starting at the unique Log Church in Greensted following the Essex Way walking routes and back via the Three Forest Way to Ongar Castle Motte and Baileys.

Jacks Hill Walk
A good 7 mile circular walk from Jacks Hill in Theydon Bois including a visit to the Epping Forest Deer Sanctuary.

Kates Cellar Walk
A decent 7 mile circular walk starting and finishing in Chingford, exploring Epping Forest’s Kate’s Cellar at Loughton Camp.

Ambresbury Banks Walk
A solid 8 mile circular walk from High Beach to Ambresbury Banks Fort and then following the main Epping Forest walking routes to Loughton Camp near Loughton.

Essex Way to Epping Walk
A solid 8 mile linear walk along The Essex Way walking routes from Chipping Ongar to the ancient woodlands of Epping Forest.

Deer Sanctuary Walk
A solid 9 mile circular walk starting in Debden following popular walking routes to Abridge, Theydon Bois and then back via the Epping Forest Deer Sanctuary at Birch Hall.

Epping Green Walk
An easy 9 mile linear walk starting in Epping Green following The Forest Way walking routes to the Centenary Way and ending at Chingford Plains.

Hainault Forest Country Park Walk
An easy 9 mile linear walk from Hainault Forest Country Park folloowing the Three Forests Way and London Loop walking routes to Chingford.

Waltham Abbey to Epping Walk
An epic 9 mile linear walk from Waltham Cross to Epping Town via Waltham Abbey and Epping Forest following the historic Green Lanes walking routes.

Walks And Walking – Easy Short Walks in Epping Forest

Walks And Walking – Easy Short Walks in Epping Forest

These are easy short walks in Epping Forest that are suitable for all of the family. They are walking routes that are mostly up to 5 miles which should take a leisurely 2 to 3 hours to complete. Epping Forest can be quite muddy so it is advisable to wear a good pair of walking boots, wellies or waterproof walking shoes. Facilities can be quite limited in Epping Forest with High Beach being the most central location for refreshments and toilet facilities.

Fallow Deer Epping Forest Walking Routes

I have highlighted my favourite easy short walks in Epping Forest in bold below:

Knighton Wood and Lords Bushes Walk
An easy 1 mile walk suitable for all of the family and small children through this small island of Epping Forest, can easily be extended by an extra few miles if required.

The Ditches Epping Forest
An easy, but very muddy, walk from The Ditches car park to the Epping Forest Deer Sanctuary and back.

Gunpowder Park Walk
A simple 2 mile circular walk in Gunpowder Park offers leisurely walking routes in an area of conservation near Waltham Abbey.

South Woodford Walk
An easy 3 mile linear walk from South Woodford to Chingford following the Epping Forest Centenary Walk.

Willow Trail Walk
A simple 3 mile classic family circular walk following The Willow Trail, one of the official Epping Forest walking routes, around Connaught Water.

Epping Forest Family Walk
A 3 mile family stroll randomly around the ancient woodlands of Epping Forest from High Beach.

Holly Trail Walk
A simple 3 mile classic family circular walk following The Holly Trail, one of the official Epping Forest walking routes, starting in Chingford.

Chestnut Trail Walk
A simple 4 mile classic family circular walk following The Chestnut Trail, one of the official Epping Forest walking routes, starting in Wanstead.

Wanstead Park Walk
A gentle 4 mile circular walk in Wanstead Park, lakes and woodland on well maintained walking routes, tracks and paths.

Family Favourite Walk
An awesome 5 mile circular walk from Chingford taking in all of the best sights of this part of Epping Forest. Following the main walking routes this walk starts at Chingford Plain and takes you to High Beach, Loughton Camp, Kate’s Cellar, Strawberry Hill Ponds, Connaught Water and the Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge.

For more information about Epping Forest visit their official website here.

Walks And Walking – Day Walks in Epping Forest

Day Walks in Epping Forest

These are challenging day walks in Epping Forest and typically over 10 miles. A really long walk means you can truly immerse yourself in these ancient woodlands and try some of the lesser known walking routes. You can also explore some of the real hidden treasures found in Epping Forest. Always be fully prepared for good long walks and long distance walking routes by taking plenty of fluids, refreshments and plenty of plasters just in case. I have highlighted my favourite day walks in Epping Forest in bold below, both great walks with plenty of sightings of the Epping Forest Fallow Deer.

Epping Forest Fallow Deer

Copped Hall Walk
A great 10 mile circular walk from Loughton to Copped Hall House, using some of the most popular walking routes in Epping Forest.

Loughton Walk
A solid 10 mile circular walk from Loughton to Jack’s Hill and Copped Hall House following well-known Epping Forest walking routes.

Abridge Walk
An easy 11 mile circular walk from Hainault Forest Country Park to Abridge and back following popular Essex walking routes in Epping Forest.

Queen Boudicca Walk
An epic 12 mile circular walk, and one of my Epping Forest favourite walking routes, from Epping Town to Ambresbury Banks and the Queen Boudicca Obelisk with plenty of sightings of the Epping Forest Fallow Deer at Copped Hall.

Theydon Bois Walk
A solid 13 mile circular Epping Forest walk from Theydon Bois following The Essex Way walking routes to the Roman Road and Gernon Bushes Nature Reserve.

Epping Forest District Walk
An easy 14 miles circular walk from Epping Station to Birching Coppice, North Weald Bassett, Hastingwood and back via Thornwood. This is another of my favourite Epping Forest walking routes.

The Forest Way Walk
The Forest Way is a 25 mile long distance linear walk along the walking routes, footpaths and green lanes of Epping Forest and Hatfield Forest.

I have taken quite a few photographs of Fallow Deer in Epping Forest but this one was taken by Iain West, you can find his website here.

Walks And Walking – A visit to St Just Church Cornwall, Tolverne and Truro

Walks And Walking – A visit to St Just Church Cornwall, Tolverne and Truro

OK, so this wasn’t actually a walk, it was a drive. After some lovely Cornwall walks in St Mawes and Pendennis Castle Falmouth we drove up the coastal road visiting St Just, Tolverne and Truro before heading back to Looe. Although you can walk the coastal path we drove to St Just Church Cornwall, the Smugglers Tea Bar at Tolverne and then on to Truro Cathedral.

Walks And Walking – St Just Church Roseland Cornwall

St Just Church Cornwall in Roseland is a very special 13th century Church, with a 6th Century Celtic heritage, in a unique waterside semi-tropical garden setting. A legend says that Joseph of Arimathea may have brought Jesus ashore here. There is also a Holy Well that you can visit in the woodlands. You can read more about St Just Church here.

Walks And Walking St Just Church Roseland Cornwall on the river

Walks And Walking St Just Church Roseland Cornwall Holy Well

We then made our way up the coast to the Tolverne Smugglers Tea Bar situated at Tolverne on the Roseland (eastern) side of the River Fal on Cornwall’s south coast. The cottage itself dates back to the 15th century and is believed to have been built as a ferryman’s home, as this part of the river is an important crossing point between Truro and the Roseland peninsula. The route was also used by pilgrims travelling from London to St Michael’s Mount at Marazion. You can read more about the Smugglers Tea Bar here.

Walks And Walking – Smugglers Cottage Tolverne Cornwall Smugglers Tea Bar

Truro Cathedral and the Diocese of TruroA Diocese or See is a geographical grouping of parishes under the care of a Bishop. Cornwall had its own Bishop at St Germans, near Saltash, until the latter part of the 10th Century. The Cornish Diocese was then held jointly with the Devon Diocese at Crediton and then in 1050 at Exeter. Effectively the Cornish Diocese ceased to be a separate entity. Over 800 years later in 1877, after 30 years of intense lobbying, the Cornish Diocese was re-established at Truro. The Diocese of Truro covers the whole of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly plus two parishes in Devon.

Walks And Walking – Truro Cathedral

Truro was not the only candidate for the siting of the Cathedral. Bodmin had been the medieval ecclesiastical centre of Cornwall, while the original Cornish See of St Germans also put forward a claim. The vicar of St Columb also offered his church! The merits of each place were much discussed and argued over. Eventually a Bill establishing the Diocese of Truro was finally passed by Parliament, on the 11th August 1876. You can read more about Truro Cathedral here.

Cornwall Walks – Bodmin Moor Rough Tor and Brown Willy Video

Walks And Walking – Cornwall Walks Bodmin Moor Rough Tor And Brown Willy Walking Route – On top of Rough Tor

Walks And Walking – Cornwall Walks – Bodmin Moor Rough Tor and Brown Willy Video.

This video was taken on a 12 mile walking route across Bodmin Moor to Rough Tor and Brown Willy where the 360 degree view of the highest point in Cornwall was amazing. I have been to Bodmin Moor quite a few times with my Cornwall walks but had yet to try its highest peaks of Rough Tor and Brown Willy. This walking route took me from the village of Churchtown to Harpur’s Downs, up to Watergate and then across to the entrance of Rough Tor where I followed the main tracks all the way to Brown Willy and then on to King Arthur’s Hall before heading back to the village. The full walk can be found here Walks And Walking – Cornwall Walks Bodmin Moor Rough Tor And Brown Willy Walking Route.

Suffolk Walks – Stoke by Nayland Church Video

Walks And Walking – Suffolk Walks Stoke by Nayland Church Walking Route – Stoke by Nayland Church

Walks And Walking – Suffolk Walks – Stoke by Nayland Church Video.

This video was taken on a 5 mile circular walking route from Stoke by Nayland country lodges to Stoke by Nayland Church. Just before reaching the church I look around to see wonderful 360 degree views of Suffolk’s Constable Country. The full article can be found here Walks And Walking – Suffolk Walks Stoke by Nayland Church Walking Route. For more walks in Constable Country check out our Suffolk Walks.

Walks And Walking – Cornwall Walks Bodmin Moor Caradon Hill Walking Route

Walks And Walking – Cornwall Walks Bodmin Moor Caradon Hill Walking Route

I had heard about a disused quarry on Caradon Hill similar to the one I had previously visited near the Cheesewring on Bodmin Moor so mapped out a 6 mile walking route up to Caradon Hill and the surrounding areas to try and find it on this Cornwall walk. This turned out to be quite an easy going walk and I did drift off the main tracks a few times just to have a look around the area in more detail but it did get a little bit muddy on the last section.

Walks And Walking – Cornwall Walks Bodmin Moor Caradon Hill Walking Route Map

I parked the car in the Minions car park just after the Post Office on keeping left at the fork. I then walked back to the Post Office and turned left to walk up the road that takes you to Caradon Hill Television Station. After a short while I saw the track veer off to the right to metal gates where I walked through to find the disused quarry I had heard about so stopped to take some pictures and have a good look round. It’s not quite as stunning as the one near the Cheesewring but it’s still worth a visit.

Walks And Walking – Cornwall Walks Bodmin Moor Caradon Hill Walking Route – Disused Quarry

I then walked up by the right hand side of the water following the barbed wire fence back up to the road where I then walked right all the way round to the Television Station keeping to the right hand side of the car park all the way round and then down until I could see the top of a disused shaft. As I enjoyed the view it looked like Cornwall was made up of a patchwork quilt of green fields, it looked wonderful.

Walks And Walking – Cornwall Walks Bodmin Moor Caradon Hill Walking Route – Patchwork Quilt Cornwall

I continued to walk down the slope all the way to the dismantled railway line where I then walked right to follow it all the way to the end through the metal gate to the road, passed the sign for Wheat Tor and Tokenbury Corner car park. I continued my walk down this road turning right at the sign for Crow’s Nest and followed the lane all the way to the Crow’s Inn turning right just afterwards by the footpath signpost. I walked up this footpath and through the metal gate with a great view of the disused mines on my right hand side.

Walks And Walking – Cornwall Walks Bodmin Moor Caradon Hill Walking Route – Disused Mines

I walked on this track keeping the same direction until I reached the top of another disused mine and then walked down the other side of the hill zig zagging down to rejoin the main path that took me all the way back to join the road by the Post Office and back to the car. The walk was just under 6 miles and took me 2 hours and 20 minutes to complete.

Walks And Walking – Cornwall Walks Pendennis Castle Falmouth Walking Route

Walks And Walking – Cornwall Walks Pendennis Castle Falmouth Walking Route

After taking the St Mawes to Falmouth Ferry our second walk of the day, following our walk around St Mawes Castle, was to walk a gentle few miles circular walking route to Pendennis Castle. Another lovely Cornwall walk was mapped out with a pre-planned lunchtime stop-over at the Gylly Beach Cafe.

Walks And Walking – Cornwall Walks Pendennis Castle Falmouth Walking Route – Falmouth from the ferry

From Customer House Quay we walked east to the Maritime Museum along the road crossing the mini roundabout up Bar Road and underneath the railway bridge to the next roundabout where we walked up Castle Drive to the entrance of Pendennis Castle.

Walks And Walking – Cornwall Walks Pendennis Castle Falmouth Walking Route – Pendennis Castle

After a quick look around we continued along Castle Drive to Pendennis Point where we continued our walk keeping left at the fork to walk down Cliff Road all the way to Gyllyngvase Beach and the Gylly Beach Cafe where we had a lovely lunch to celebrate our 9 year anniversary.

Walks And Walking – Cornwall Walks Pendennis Castle Falmouth Walking Route – lunch at Gylly Beach Cafe

After lunch we then walked back along Cliff Road turning left at Castle Drive and back to Bar Road and Falmouth Docks catching the ferry back to St Mawes. That evening we stayed at The Victory Inn which was very cheap and served great food and beer.

About Pendennis Castle Falmouth

For a great value family day out in Cornwall, take a trip to Pendennis Castle, Falmouth, one of the finest of the mighty fortresses built by Henry VIII to defend the country against invasion. The castle has seen action in many conflicts and was one of the last royalist strongholds to fall during the English Civil War.

You can witness a Tudor gun deck in action here and see how the Guardhouse was equipped during the First World War. This award-winning visitor attraction in the south west also boasts an exciting interactive exhibition where you can experience the sights and sounds of battle and relive an enemy attack on a Second World War observation post.

Visit English Heritage for more information here.

Walks And Walking – Stoke by Nayland Luxury Country Lodges in Suffolk

Walks And Walking – Stoke by Nayland Luxury Country Lodges in Suffolk

After our recent weekend in Constable Country I thought I would write a short article about where we stayed, mainly because it was so amazing! Located on the Suffolk and Essex border the Stoke by Nayland Country Lodges turned out to be the perfect base for some really enjoyable walks.

The first was a 5 mile circular walk to Stoke by Nayland Church and the second was a 7 mile circular walking route to the Arger Fen and Spouse’s Vale Nature Reserve with even more walking routes nearby like Flatford Mill, Dedham and Manningtree.

In addition to the tranquil countryside Stoke by Nayland Country Lodges are right next door to the Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf and Spa which has wonderful restaurants and leisure facilities.

Walks And Walking – Stoke by Nayland Luxury Country Lodge – We Had The First Floor

Walks And Walking – Stoke by Nayland Luxury Country Lodge – Open Plan

Walks And Walking – Stoke by Nayland Luxury Country Lodge – Breakfast

The Country Lodges are gorgeous, hand-built eco-friendly buildings with open-plan interiors that are chic and contemporary, and feature an elegant nod towards 1940s style as an homage to the history of the location, which was formerly a Women’s Land Army hostel site.

For more information you can visit their website here or ‘like’ them on facebook here.