A stroll through a woodland winter wonderland can be a magical experience.
With the help of a few famous faces, we've compiled a list of the best woods for winter walks. But don't just take their word for it, get out there and enjoy a walk in the woods this winter.
During the winter the wood takes on a near magical quality, with frost in the air and the windswept moors creating a sense of eerie isolation.
Simon adds: “Ancient oak trees naturally stunted into bonsai forms by boulders of granite. With a little imagination, every trunk and branch appears to have been contorted into the faces of ogres and wild beasts.
Wistman's Wood page
The ancient woodland site is still dominated by oak with beech, sycamore, ash and even lime originating from the 18th century. Hackfall teems with wildlife and sustains a thriving range of wild plant communities.
Hackfall page
For anyone that fancies a coastal trip during the winter, Old Wood is the perfect location to take in both woodland and the sea air.
Sir Matthew adds: "Old Wood in Norfolk is a brilliant place for a Christmas walk and a fantastic way to benefit from the fresh air whilst enjoying our beautiful, natural landscape.”
Old Wood page
Both woods offer the chance to immerse yourself in some real history during a winter walk.
Ben adds: "Although I live in London I’m very much an outdoors person and I can’t stay cooped up inside for long. Whenever I can I grab my Labrador Inca and head out to the woods, hills or the park. I just adore walking, it makes me feel so alive and it’s the best way to see everything our countryside has to offer right up close."
Blackbush Shaw page
Regular coppicing in the past has created a distinct woodland structure and ground flora is varied and interesting, including several species which point to its ancient woodland origins.
Adrian adds: "Take Uffmoor Wood, near Halesowen, just a few miles from where I was born. It's a real green oasis, being so close to such a massive urban population, and it's perfect for walking off your Christmas dinner too!"
Uffmoor Wood page
The best way to get an idea of the scale of the estate is to do the popular 15 mile circular walk right around Meall Cala. For a real winter escape Glen Finglas is the perfect location to get back to nature.
Nick adds: “Taking a Christmas walk is the perfect way to enjoy the outdoors. Glen Finglas, the Woodland Trust’s largest site, is absolutely stunning and people have been coming here for centuries drawn by the natural beauty of the mountains, water and woodland.”
Glen Finglas page
A fine example of ancient woodland, with a rich flora of mosses, liverworts and ferns, the Coed Crafnant Reserve is comprised of two distinct woodlands; Coed Crafnant and Coed Dolbebin.
Iolo adds: "Wherever you might be in Wales, you're blessed because there’s a wealth of great woodlands all around, including many Wildlife Trust woodland nature reserves.I mustn’t name one specific place as a favourite but I do enjoy several which offer different thrilling sensory experiences through the seasons. Gregynog near Newtown is wonderful in spring, as is Coed Crafnant near Harlech." Coed Crafnant page
The walk to the fort gives the visitor the chance to explore the nature found in the woods along the way, and at the top, the fort’s views across to Wales take the imagination back to a time gone by. In winter in particular, with bare trees and a chill in the air, it becomes even more evocative.
Tony adds: “I recommend Credenhill Park Wood in Herefordshire. Occupying a prominent position in the Hereford Hills, this extraordinary ancient woodland has a fascinating history. I’m particularly interested in its archaeological significance – an Iron Age hillfort, considered to be amongst the largest in the UK. It’s definitely worth a visit."
Credenhill Park Wood page
Why not tell us what's special about winter walks in your local wood? You could also upload a picture and share your winter walk fun with us.
A winter walk in the woods can be a magical experience.
Our walks map features even more fabulous walk tips.
Sometimes access to woodland is an issue - here are some of Britain's finest accessible woods.
Fancy meeting new people? How about a guided walk? Find one near you
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