Looking for a scenic Boxing Day walk?
Here are some top Winter walks from the National Trust that are within the Peak District and Derbyshire area.
Wrap up warm and enjoy some of the best walking trails at a National Trust place near you this Winter.
Adventure into the countryside for invigorating cold-weather walks and soak up the beauty of crisp landscapes, cool air, and glowing sunsets. Meander along frosty paths in historic gardens, jump over puddles in parklands, or blow away the cobwebs exploring the hills and valleys of some of our most spectacular places.
Winter is the best time to notice nature and wildlife around you on your walk. Look for pawprints in mud and snow, listen for crisp notes of bird song and spot woodland residents foraging in the silhouette of bare trees.
Put a spring in your step during the colder months with top winter walking trails near you:

Kedleston

Step out into 800 acres of scenic parkland, with miles of walking trails to explore at Kedleston. Crisp, cold days and early sunsets – the winter landscape can be an inspiring place to step out into. Embark on the Lakeside Walk, enjoying far-reaching countryside views, discover the Fishing Pavilion and Robert Adam bridge and spot a whole host of waterfowl by the lake edge, including geese, swans, oyster catchers, herons and coots.
Dogs on leads are welcome in the parkland and gardens.

Calke Abbey

As well as a grand Baroque un-stately home with its peeling wallpaper and seemingly abandoned rooms, Calke Abbey has secret walled gardens and parkland, much of which is a National Nature Reserve. The park is a rich and varied landscape of grassland, ponds and wood pasture – one of the rarest habitats in Europe. The Tramway Trail is an accessible figure-of-eight route which follows the old horse-drawn tramway that linked Ticknall to Ashby, and it’s suitable for cyclists, walkers, wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Dogs are free to roam the parkland under close control. They’re welcome in the gardens, stableyards, restaurant, café, shop, and second-hand bookshop provided they be on-lead.
Wheelchair and tramper available to borrow.

Hardwick

The Hardwick Estate surrounding the magnificent hall, covers around 2,500 acres of parkland and includes a variety of habitats from woodland and wetland to farmland. Miles of walking routes explore the parkland, with woodland, ponds and far-reaching countryside views to enjoy along the way. For those looking for a short stroll, the 1-mile gentle walk is perfect, and for those looking to explore further, the zix-mile wider estate walk takes in the further reaches of the parkland.
Dogs on leads are welcome in the parkland and stableyard.
Mobility scooters and wheelchairs are available for loan.

Longshaw, Burbage and the Eastern Moors

A countryside haven on Sheffield’s doorstep, Longshaw is a gateway to the Peak District, home to ancient woods, parkland and heather moorland. Walking at Longshaw can be a stroll to the pond, an easy-to-follow waymarked walk or a serious hike. Stop in at the Welcome Building when you visit for advice on routes or to pick up a map. After your walk, warm up in the award-winning Longshaw café, and enjoy spectacular moorland views through floor to ceiling windows.
Keeping your dog on a lead in the Peak District ensures that wildlife, livestock and other visitors are safe.

Ilam Park

Ilam Park is nestled beneath steep-sided hills on the bank of the River Manifold, with Ilam Gardens offering a stunning view of Bunster Hill and Thorpe Cloud throughout the seasons. Enjoy the view of the landscape or get a closer look by following the zig-zag garden path down to the River Manifold, to explore ravine woodlands and the beautiful expanse of Paradise Walk.
Keep an eye out for the wide variety of birdlife including dippers, great spotted woodpecker, greenfinch, blackcaps and the very seasonal robin. A popular activity for families visiting Ilam Park is playing Pooh sticks on the huge stone bridge on the River Manifold.
For those looking for a more challenging adventure, the bottom of Bunster Hill is a short ten minute walk away and once climbed, gives way to stunning panoramic views.
Dogs on leads are welcome across Ilam Park and the surrounding area.

For further information about all of these scenic sites, to go here

Have you got a favourite walk in the Alfreton and surrounding areas? Email details and photos to our Editor Belinda at editor@spiritof.uk, or upload your story direct to our website here