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If you’ve eaten heavy meals and watched too much television this festive season, chances are a winter walk is needed and could give you some great gardening ideas in the New Year.
There are plenty of beautiful gardens to visit, whether you want to explore historic sites, take the kids on family-friendly trails or enjoy some winter wildlife.
Here are some of the places you might want to visit – but check opening times on the websites before you go.
1. Garden Valleyvalley of glamorgan
Breathe in the delicious scent of fragrant shrubs including Christmas box, winter sweet and winter honeysuckle that fill the air at this time of year in these 55-acre horticultural wonders in these gardens on the outskirts. cardiffHighlights include gorgeous historical landscapes, a magical arboretum, intimate garden rooms, working kitchen gardens, a glass house, and two log stack play areas,
2. Simonside HillsNorthumberland
With spectacular views of the rugged Northumberland The landscape – the Cheviot Hills to the west, extending to the coast to the east – part of the Rothbury Estate, this walk along the Simonside Ridge is a much-loved sight in the new year, as visitors marvel at the ancient archeology including the Solstice Stone, rock carvings and the remains of an Iron Age hill fort. Rothbury is one of England’s strongholds for red squirrels.
3. Powis Castle and GardensWelshpool, Powys
If you want a lighter walk, opt for the easy mile-long Historic Walk past 17th-century Italianate terraces, past a massive 300-year-old yew mound and into the formal woodland of The Wilderness, Powys, which celebrates the structure of this impressive garden in the coldest of climates. Stop at a woodland clearing to admire the view across the Great Lawn to the palace.
4. saltramdevon
Enjoy a winter walk in this much-loved green space, which overlooks the River Plym and is set in a rolling landscaped park, offering outdoor peace and quiet. PlymouthIt is perfect for gentle walks among snowdrops and cyclamen and has several small vehicle-friendly paths with views of the estuary, Little kids will love The Gruffalo Child Embark on a journey through the deep dark forest with the Garden Trail, games and challenges, which runs until February 1.
5. Potteric Carr Nature ReserveDoncaster, South Yorkshire
Covering 200 hectares, Potteric Carr is one of the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s largest reserves and is home to over 230 different bird species including kingfishers, marsh harriers and avocets. This wetland is a wonderland in winter, with its open skies, shimmering ponds and woodland trails.
6. Culzean Country ParkSouth Ayrshire, Scotland
The spectacular clifftop castle may be closed for the winter, but you can still enjoy some stunning views in its country park, which is planted with conifers and beeches, stretching for miles around a sandy beach dotted with caves, and ending with a swan pond, an ice house, spectacular formal gardens and fruit-filled glasshouses. The country park and boundary walls remain closed on New Year’s Day. Check website opening hours.
7. Westcroftnr Salisbury, Wiltshire
If you want to be inspired by the garden in a smaller setting, make time to go to the National Garden Scheme’s first opening ceremony of the year on January 1 (and on selected days throughout the winter) to admire the many varieties including hellebores, pulmonaria, grasses and seedheads, as well as to admire the drifts of snowdrops at the end of the season in this two-thirds-acre galanthophile’s paradise.
8. Catcot Nature Reserve, glastonburySomerset
Part of the Avalon Marshes and managed by the Somerset Wildlife Trust, if you visit this wonderful wetland reserve in winter, keep an eye out for wintering ducks, waders, roe deer and even otters. Each winter, large numbers of wigeon, teal, shelduck, gadwall, pintail and other colorful ducks fly into the flooded fields to feed. It is also an important winter refuge for birds such as lapwing, snipe and black-tailed godwit. This is a paradise for budding bird lovers.
9. MotisFontRomsey, Hampshire
Explore these riverside gardens, which will provide plenty of inspiration for gardeners who want to brighten up their plots in the colder months. The winter gardens are filled with richly colored dogwoods, bright pink cyclamens, silvery ornamental brambles and flowering shrubs. Take in the scents of sweet-smelling winter honeysuckle and jasmine and notice hellebore and mahonia, witch hazel, viburnum and daphne. Walk along the River Test and into the meadows beyond the gardens for beautiful views of the house.
10. Blickling Estatenorfolk
Birdwatchers and walkers alike can enjoy the breathtaking Jacobean mansion of Blickling and the beautiful Bure Meadows, a magnificent garden and ancient yew hedges at the heart of the historic park. Barn owls are often seen in the park with groups of tits and finches. There is also a four-mile multi-use path that goes around the perimeter of the park and is accessible to people with buggies and small children, as well as people using wheelchairs and mobility aids.
11. florence courtCo. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland
There are miles of walking paths through the woods surrounding this 18th-century house and gardens, with Benaghlin Mountain rising in the background. Wonders include industrial heritage features including a water-powered sawmill and a blacksmith’s forge. If you just want a casual walk, enjoy the pleasure grounds and walled garden as well as one of Ireland’s most famous trees – the native Irish yew tree. There are plenty of challenging walks as well, with spectacular views across Fermanagh and beyond.
12. Calcay Abbeyderbyshire
Explore Calke Abbey’s secret walled gardens and parkland, much of which is a national nature reserve. The park is a rich and diverse landscape of meadows, ponds and wooded pastures – one of the rarest habitats in Europe. You can also take the Tramway Trail, one of eight routes that follow the old horse-drawn tramway that connected Ticknall to Ashby. It is suitable for cyclists, pedestrians, wheelchairs and pushchairs.
13. RHS Gardens Harlow Carrnorth yorkshire
With 58 acres to explore, this spectacular garden offers stunning streams, lakes, playgrounds and woodlands. If you want to seek shelter, discover charming alpine houses filled with tiny floral treasures, but don’t forget to venture out to see the main ranges in all their seasonal glory. The woodland offers play opportunities with the iconic Logness Monster, Adventure Playspace and Cragletop Tree House.