Save on heating bills and find an alternative way to warm up this winter with the National Trust. Take a brisk walk, find a winter warmer or simply enjoy time together; we’ve got great days out to warm up the coldest of days. Here are some of our suggestions for the best activities to do during winter:
Wrap up warm and take a walk
Dig out the scarf to stay cosy outdoors while taking in some wonderful winter landscapes. Discover the exotic array of plants and shrubs at Mount Stewart, County Down, or the glorious garden at Anglesey Abbey, Cambridgeshire; both look spectacular in the winter months.
Winter wildlife
Warm the heart this season and witness fantastic displays of wildlife. Why not take a stroll in one of our Deer Parks – our medieval park at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, North Yorkshire, has three varieties of roaming deer to watch for.
Join the crowds at a Christmas market
Get into that friendly, festive spirit with a visit with a visit to one of our Christmas markets; take in the atmosphere or pick up some gifts for the big day. Erddig in Wrexham is a seasonal spectacular with over 50 chalets and stalls, plus live music, food, drink and a winter wonderland.
Winter food
Pick up some warming winter delights at one of our restaurants or tea rooms, making great meals from fresh, local produce. Pick up your own ingredients at one of our farm shops such as Wallington, Northumberland, packed full of meat and fresh products straight from the Wallington Estate.
Get your skates on
For a traditional winter activity guaranteed to get the kids on the move, get on the ice with one of our skating rinks – take the little ones to Sizergh Castle in Cumbria before Christmas, and Knightshayes Court, Devon, to keep the Christmas spirit alive after the big day (booking essential).
Make something
If you do want to stay inside, stave off the cold and keep busy with some arts and crafts? Killerton in Devon is hosting workshops on making your own Christmas decorations and wreaths this December; it’s a great chance to meet people and learn something new.
Head to a traditional pub
Enjoy an afternoon relaxing and watching the world go by at a traditional pub. The Fleece Inn, Worcestershire, is a converted farmhouse, ideally situation for warming up after a stroll in the gardens of Hidcote, just across the border in Gloucestershire.
Have a roast dinner
There’s no better time to enjoy a Sunday Roast than indoors on a cold, winter afternoon, but why not build up an appetite first? Petworth House and Park in West Sussex is running Ramble & Roast events in December and January, featuring a guided walk on the estate and a warming roast lunch.
Sup on soup
A hearty bowl of soup is perfect for a winter afternoon, especially made with fresh, local, seasonal produce. Visit Nymans, West Sussex, in January for a walk in the woods, followed by samples of delicious, homemade soups!
Get outdoors and work up a sweat!
Warm up by doing something a bit more active! Stourhead is hosting its 2nd Annual 10km Reindeer Run, Jog or Walk on 5 December; or you could hire a bike and explore Clumber Park’s 20km of cycle paths (fees apply).
Similar Stories
50 Things To Do Before You’re 11¾ - 13 April 2012
National Trust’s top summer gardens - 16 January 2012
The National Trust’s top 10 spots for snowdrops - 16 January 2012
Post Christmas escape with the National Trust - 20 December 2011
Why not take a bank holiday breather with the National Trust? - 30 April 2012
Campaigns & Issues
New research shows pensioners have no confidence in politicians to solve social care crisis
Britain’s biggest pensioner organisation, the National Pensioners Convention (NPC) has welcomed the latest research from the charity Anchor which shows more than two thirds of those aged over 55 (67 per cent) believe the Coalition Government has not paid enough attention to social care and only 14 per cent are confident that the Government will find a solution to failures within the social care system.
News
Millions being lost to sophisticated new card fraud phone scam
A sophisticated type of fraud – where people are telephoned by fraudsters and duped into revealing their PIN and handing over their bank card to a courier – is on the rise.
Pay Your Way, the Payments Council’s education campaign, is working with The UK Cards Association and Financial Fraud Action UK, to raise awareness of how to avoid becoming a victim of this type of crime.
Competitions & Fun
Win a bundle of Little Miss goodies including Little Miss Princess and the Very Special Party
Hang out the union jack bunting, roll out the red carpet and sound the trumpets for the arrival of Little Miss Princess and her canine friend at this very British street party.
She made her debut in time for the Royal Wedding last year, now, to coincide with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, she stars in Little Miss Princess and the Very Special Party.
Reader Offers
You could win one of three superb weekend breaks in Silver Travel Advisor’s “Best of British” Diamond Jubilee celebration this month
Silver Travel Advisor is a friendly website packed with advice, tips, information and honest reviews written by and for silver travellers (aged over 50).
A team of advisors are on hand to answer queries (for free), and you can share your own experiences too.
It’s time to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee this month with an amazing British prize draw:
Win a two night stay for two people at Flackley Ash Hotel , Rye, East Sussex
Health & Wellbeing
New pill gives hope on strokes
The first one-a-day pill for patients with an irregular heartbeat has been given the green light for use on the NHS.
Rivaroxaban is as effective as warfarin - the popular 1950s drug based on rat poison - but has fewer side effects.
Doctors say 900,000 patients with atrial fibrillation, known as AF, could qualify for rivaroxaban - causing a change in stroke prevention options.
Property & Finance
Falling Inflation Is Good News For UK Savers
The announcement by The Bank of England that inflation has fallen to 3.0 per cent, from 3.5 per cent in April, is a welcome boost for UK savers as 46 saving accounts now on offer beat inflation, according to MoneySupermarket.com.
Lifestyle
Painting of the Month entry by John O'Boyle
This gorgeous painting has been entered by John O'Boyle and is titled "Lola in the Garden"
We are running a competition for Painting of the Month, so please do send us your photographs of your painting by post to Highwood House, Winters Lane, Redhill, Bristol BS40 5SH (please include a stamped, addressed envelope if you would like them returned), or by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The winner will receive a Mature Times pen set.
Closing date for this competition is 26th May 2012
Travel & Leisure
Bletchley Park brings the 1940's to life
The World War Two Home Of The Codebreakers Goes Back In time With Its Annual Forties Family Festival
Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 May
Join in the family fun at Bletchley Park on for its annual ‘Forties Family Festival’. In 2011, the event attracted over 3,500 visitors and over 250 World War Two (WW2) re-enactors who had Bletchley Park teeming with Forties activity.
It’s the best free paper there is! Keep up the good work