A winter walk is the perfect way to spend time with family and friends

As tempting as it sounds to veg your winter away with cosy jumpers and cocoa, resisting this urge could be the best thing for your enjoyment and your health. Getting out in the fresh air is a great idea and winter is one of the most picturesque times of year to take to the hills. Beautiful scenery, crisp air and forgiving layers add up to a great morning or afternoon out. We’ve scoured cities and countryside to bring you the best walks, so wrap up and march out.

Skyline walk, Bath
Escape to the country without leaving the city with this stunning six-mile walk. Starting at Bath University, the circular route passes through Bathampton and Bathwick Woods, while a small detour brings you to Sham Castle and the perfect backdrop for your cheesy festive photo. You can also take some time out to visit Prior Park, a beautiful 18th-century landscape garden created with advice from the poet Alexander Pope (gift aid admission price: £5). Paths can be muddy so be prepared and there are road crossings involved, but this challenging trek offers some of the best views you’ll have all winter.
Visit http://nationaltrust.org.uk/bathskyline

Holyrood Park and Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh
Make like royalty for the day and venture around the picturesque royal estate of Holyrood Park, situated right in the centre of Scotland’s capital city. This four-mile walk takes you through the huge park with its parkland, lochs, crags and hills, the most famous of which is Arthur’s Seat. When you reach its peak, you’ll know why. Survey the entire city of Edinburgh and across the Firth of Forth to Fife like the true conqueror you are.
Visit http://walking.visitscotland.com

Souter lighthouse, South Tyneside
Set off from the Souter Lighthouse (the world’s first electric lighthouse, opened in 1871), whose red and white hoops provide a bright start for six miles of spectacular sea views, circling seabirds and ghostly goings on. Take in the beautiful rock formations at Marsden Bay and numerous bird colonies, and then stop off to visit the Grotto, where you might hear the moans of the Grotto ghost, John the Jibber. John was a well-known local smuggler, who betrayed fellow smugglers to customs men in the late 1790s. His punishment? He was suspended in a bucket halfway down the cliff face and left to perish. Knowing that, it is probably wisest to focus on the breathtaking views this trail allows, so spend your time looking forward rather than glancing behind!
Visit http://visitnortheastengland.co.uk/walking

Roe Valley Country Park, Co. Derry
This tranquil country park offers a variety of riverside and woodland walks with a generous dash of local and national history. The linear park runs for approximately three and a half miles either side of the flowing River Roe, which has been a source of industry and living for the surrounding population for hundreds of years. It once powered a successful linen industry, the evidence of which still stands in the park, and at the end of the 19th century, John Edward Ritter harnessed its energy to bring hydroelectricity to Ireland for the first time. Roe Valley is also home to O’Cahan’s Rock and O’Cahan’s Castle, evidence of the once powerful Irish clan. If the winter air is too crisp, stop off for some liquid refreshment at the tearooms, open all year round, except Christmas Day.
Visit http://walkni.com

Christmas cake walk, Polzeath
Mark your calendar for this circular walk, which takes in some of Cornwall’s most beautiful coastal scenery. Taking place on Saturday 27 December, the gentle ramble is part of the Ramblers’ Association’s Festival of Winter Walks and takes in countryside and coastline. At four miles, it’s not too intimidating and is suitable for families with young children. The homemade Christmas cake that is handed out at the highest point of the walk is quite an incentive too.
Visit http://ramblers.org.uk/winterwalks

Keats’ walk, Winchester
Retrace the footsteps of the famous poet with this leisurely two-mile amble from Winchester following the River Itchen to the medieval almshouse of St Cross. View for yourself the inspiration for his 1819 poem To Autumn, including cathedral close and the water meadows. Begin or end your adventure at the Wykeham Arms, a unique 19th-century coaching inn, situated between Winchester Cathedral and Winchester College, where you can experience some quality traditional fare. 
Visit http://visitwinchester.co.uk

Wakehurst Place Christmas walk, West Sussex
Venture to Kew’s country garden, Wakehurst Place, for a festive walk through 180 acres of towering fir trees and redwoods. Among these is one very special redwood, the region’s (and probably the UK’s) largest growing Christmas tree. Every year, the giant redwood adjacent to the Elizabethan mansion at Wakehurst Place is transformed into one huge, glowing ball of Christmas joy. Decorated with nearly 2,000 lights, it is one of the more spectacular sights to see this festive season.
visitbritain.co.uk
Visit http://kew.org