From family frolics to office parties, the festive season can be a hectic time. Whether you want to burn off those Christmas calories, discover something new or seek peace and quiet, the National Trust has somewhere to escape to during the winter months.
Here are some of the best National Trust places to visit in the New Year:
Avebury, Wiltshire
Take a winter walk amidst the largest stone circle in the world. The unique onsite museum, shop and Circles Restaurant are open all year round; so discovering this World Heritage Site is a great way to spend an afternoon out in the fresh air.
Stone Circle open dawn-dusk all year, shop and restaurant 10.30am-4pm.
Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire
Discover 3,800 acres of green space to relax in and enjoy. Walk the length of the longest lime tree avenue in Europe (nearly 3 miles) or make the most of over 20 miles of cycle routes that cross the park. If relaxation is more your interest, or you’ve worked up an appetite, get out of the cold and stop by our recently refurbished restaurant for a winter warmer.
Park open all year, visitor facilities 10am-4pm. Cycle hire at weekends from 16 January.
Dinefwr Park and Castle, Carmarthenshire
Experience Dinefwr's magic on waymarked walks through this historic park. Enjoy a relaxed hot drink in the tea room, sample the views or watch the children let off steam in the play area.
Open 7 days a week, 11.30am-4pm.
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, Yorkshire
This stunning World Heritage Site is a great day out whatever the season. Explore the magnificent abbey ruins, walk in the beautiful landscaped water garden or seek the three breeds of wild deer in the medieval deer park.
Open Saturday-Thursday, 10am-4pm (deer park all year round 7am-9pm).
Gibside, Tyne & Wear
Escape to this tranquil nature reserve; a grand forest garden and landscape park created by one of the richest men in Georgian England. There’s plenty to discover – and lots of eating and shopping temptation on the way. Savour breakfast butties, homemade lunches and afternoon teas, or pick up something for the walk or journey home at the Gibside Larder food shop.
Open 7 days a week, 10am-4pm.
Lacock Abbey, Fox Talbot Museum and Village, Wiltshire
Winter is a magnificent time to discover the magic of Lacock for yourself. Experience the atmosphere of the abbey and gain a sense of its historic past or enjoy a relaxed shopping experience away from the sales within the picturesque streets.
Cloisters, museum and grounds open 11am-4pm every day, Abbey rooms 12pm-4pm weekends only.
Tudor Twelfth Night, 15 January 11am-3pm
Join us for this day of festivity and joy in the abbey cloisters and grounds – Tudor style! Enjoy Yule tide performances by candlelight in the relaxing knowledge that our modern Christmas is over.
Normal admission charges apply, booking is not required. For more information, please call 01249 730459.
Nymans, West Sussex
Looking to start the New Year in a healthy way? Take the Nymans exercise trail around the garden all month; grab a skipping rope from reception, ask about our walks in the woods, or try a personal training taster session every Thursday during January. You can also try our healthy eating menu in the restaurant and locally produced health foods in the shop.
House closed, grounds open 7 days a week 10am-4pm.
New Year, New You, 1 January-29 February 10am-4pm
Normal admission fee applies, booking is not required. For more information, please call 01444 405250.
Polesden Lacey, Surrey
The beautiful walled gardens at this magnificent Edwardian estate are open all year round, with the extensive grounds a wonderful place to take a walk in the winter air. Visit at weekends for a guided tour of a setting built to entice royalty, politicians and the very best of society.
House open weekends by guided tour only 11am-4pm, grounds open 7 days a week 10am-4pm.
Quarry Bank Mill and Styal Estate, Cheshire
Discover the compelling story of mill workers, entrepreneurs and the Industrial Revolution all year round at Quarry Bank Mill. Learn more about the growth of industry, or enjoy the garden and its terraced paths, spectacular views and cave.
Mill and apprentice house open Wednesday-Sunday, 11am-3.30pm (facilities 10.30am-4pm).
Rowallane Garden, Co. Down
Be inspired by this enchanting garden's dazzling array of exotic species from the four corners of the globe. Follow the farmland trail to the summit of Trio Hill or escape into the Rock Garden Wood to enjoy the shade-loving plants and seek tranquillity.
Open 7 days a week, 10am-4pm.
Play a part in the unfolding story of the National Trust's recent acquisition. The Hall has survived terrible fires, military occupation and potential ruin. For 900 years, the estate has been a stage for drama, intrigue and romance, while the surrounding landscape has fuelled industrial revolution. It now provides an amazing space for arts, heritage and the community to come together.Seaton Delaval Hall, Northumberland
Open Friday to Monday, 11am-3pm.
Stowe, Buckinghamshire
An ambitious programme of restoration has ensured that over 40 temples and monuments remain in this historic landscape garden; one of the most remarkable creations of Georgian England. Explore an inspiring backdrop of lakes and valleys with an endless variety of walks and trails; a delight any time of year.
Open weekends only, 10.30am-4pm.
Wassailing we shall go! 7 January 2pm-4.30pm
Join us for traditional Wassailing– sing away the bad spirits from Stowe’s apple trees and encourage a good harvest. Activities for children include making leaf crowns, Green Man masks and apple lanterns, along with fireworks to end the day.
No admission charges, booking is not required. For more information, please call 01280 822850.
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
National Trust’s best winter warmers - 10 November 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.
I have received a copy of you paper from our Community Centre for the last two years and really look foreword to reading it. Thank you!