Escape the festive bustle with a National Trust winter walk in Kent and East Sussex

Christmas can be tiring. But don’t let the dark days get you down, it’s the perfect time to wrap up warm, throw on some wellies and get out on an invigorating winter walk. What better way to celebrate the festive season?

 

Blow away the cobwebs while rambling along blustery coastal paths, or take a stroll through frosty countryside and keep your eyes peeled for seasonal wildlife. Whichever route you choose, there’s something to suit all tastes.

 

With the help of its supporters, the National Trust cares for hundreds of walking trails in beautiful locations all across the country. Here are some of the best walking trails and events in Kent and East Sussex to give you a spring in your step during the cold winter months.

 

Ightham Mote, Kent

Enjoy the peaceful setting of this romantic moated manor house, with its garden, orchard, water features and ancient woodland walks through the Kent countryside. Join a Boxing Day ramble with a tasty breakfast butty to fuel an informal guided walk through the estate, or visit over January when holly is in abundance and the silver birch trees look particularly photogenic. Pick up an estate walks leaflet from visitor reception for inspiration and see how far your legs can take you.

 

The garden, cafe and shop open 10am-4pm daily throughout the winter. Partial access to the garden in winter. Estate open dawn to dusk every day. House closed from 2 January 2019.

 

Boxing Day ramble, Wednesday 26 December, 10am-12pm or New Year’s Day Trek, Tuesday 1 January, 10am-1pm. £10 per person, including a sausage or bacon butty. Booking essential on 01732 811314.

Knole, Kent

Whilst Knole’s showrooms close for essential conservation during the winter months, the 1,000 acre parkland is as alive as ever. Glimpse the 350-strong resident wild deer herd that are descendants of those hunted by Henry VIII, take a relaxed stroll or venture on a longer walk to nearby Ightham Mote.

Between Christmas and New Year, join one of the guided walks across Knole Park. On Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, walk off the Christmas excesses on a guided one-hour walk, from 2-3pm, and discover more about the ancient parkland, its history and flora and fauna.

Brewhouse café and shops open 10am-4pm. Gatehouse Tower open 11am-4pm. Conservation studio open from 2 January 2019. Car park open 10am-6pm throughout winter.

Boxing Day and New Year’s Day guided walks depart 2pm, meet outside the Visitor Centre. The walks are free but we suggest a donation of £2. Downloadable walks available online

Scotney Castle, Kent

During winter Scotney Castle is transformed with frost and ice settling on the moat, grass and plants surrounding the ruins of the medieval castle.

Escape the wrapping paper and leftovers and start 2019 in the fresh air. The estate is home to walks through beautiful parkland and woodland – pick up an estate map from visitor reception for three waymarked trails.

 

Estate open daily dawn to dusk. Old castle, garden, tea room and shop open 10am-4pm, house open 11am-3pm throughout winter, entry by timed ticket or guided tour.

Chartwell, Kent

Several walks are available across the estate, with a natural play area for children, a Second World War bomb crater and a Canadian camp to be discovered along the way. Warm up with a tasty pre or post walk festive brunch on 26, 27 December 2018 & 1 January 2019, 11:00-14:30.

From 12 January, discover a new artist-designed outdoor trail around the garden exploring different sides to Winston Churchill’s character. Alternatively, duck indoors and visit the new exhibition ‘A History of Churchill in 50 Objects’, which tells the stories of Winston Churchill’s life and achievements.

 

The shop, café and gardens are open from 10am-4pm, exhibition open 11am-4pm, studio open 12pm-3.30pm throughout the winter. House closed.

Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Kent

Winter transforms the woodland, farmland and lakes surrounding Sissinghurst Castle into frosted landscapes with far reaching views of the Kentish Weald. Pick up a leaflet in visitor reception for walking inspiration or check out the panoramic views from the top of the tower before you set off.

Inside, delve into the world of Harold Nicolson and Vita Sackville-West in the South Cottage. As the garden closes for rest and conservation over the colder months, now is the chance to explore this other, hidden side to life here. Join a tour and wander through the cottage rooms where Harold and Vita slept and Harold wrote, taking in the atmosphere of this intimate retreat.

The Oast House meanwhile hosts the International Garden Photographer of the Year Exhibition. Brighten up your winter with the very best amateur and professional garden photography from across the world. The Gatehouse exhibition space reveals more about the ongoing garden restoration project, which is in its fifth year, with images of Vita and Harold’s visits to Delos in Greece.

Restaurant and shop open 10am-4.30pm.Tours of the South Cottage run daily, 11am–3.30pm. Access by timed ticket only.

International Garden Photographer of the Year, daily from 12 January to 10 March, 11am-4pm.

Bodiam Castle, East Sussex

On Boxing Day, beat the post-Christmas blues with our guided walk. Enjoy an exclusive tour of the castle, followed by a walk around the grounds. Afterwards, tuck into a breakfast bap and hot drink in the terrace room, with views back to the castle.

From 7 January, join a mid-week guided tour of the castle throughout the day and find out more about the castle at this quieter time of year. Take in the Bombay to Bodiam mini-exhibition to discover all about Lord Curzon and his links with India.

 

Boxing Day walk with breakfast bap and hot drink, Wednesday 26 December 9.30am-11.30am. £15 per person, booking essential on 01580 831324.

Castle grounds, tea rooms and shop open 10am-4pm throughout winter (castle open from 11am).

Bateman’s, East Sussex

Pick up an estate walking leaflet to take in the spirit of this special place on three walks – Puck’s Walk follows famous characters from Kipling’s Puck of Pook’s Hill published in 1906, Ironmaster’s Walk takes in the local history of iron production in the area, and the Dudwell Farm Walk winds through Bateman’s estate and the local village of Burwash.

 

Garden, tea room and shop open 10am-4pm daily throughout winter. House open 11am-4pm (last entry 3.30pm), free-flow during December and by timed tour during the week during January and February.

 

Share photos of your own favourite atmospheric winter landscapes and walking adventures with the National Trust:

• On Twitter by tweeting @southeastnt
• On Facebook facebook.com/NationalTrustLondonandSouthEast
• On Instagram by sending photos to southeastnt

 

For the latest news and updates from the National Trust near you, please visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/southeast

 

For more winter walks inspiration visit:

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lists/winter-walks-in-kent

OR

 https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lists/winter-walks-in-and-around-east-sussex

 

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