The National Trust cares for hundreds of trails in beautiful locations across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Head to the coast for dramatic grey skies and thundering waves, blow away the cobwebs with invigorating countryside walks or follow inviting
paths through frost-sprinkled parkland and historic gardens. Immerse yourself in striking winter scenery; the stark beauty of frost-gilded trees, new vistas of wide landscapes and dramatic winter sunsets.
Winter is a great time to go outdoors and see wildlife. Birds arrive for the winter months and woodland residents can be seen more easily in the bare trees, so why not combine your winter walk with some great nature-spotting opportunities?
Our tea rooms and cafes make the perfect pit-stop after your winter ramble to warm up and refuel with a hot drink, comforting warm lunch or a well-earned sweet treat.
Here are some of the best trails near you to enjoy in Norfolk during the cold winter months:
Blickling Estate
Blickling’s breathtaking Jacobean mansion and ancient yew hedges sit at the heart of a magnificent garden and historic park in the beautiful Bure meadows. The lake walk at Blickling is particularly atmospheric on a frosty winter’s morning, with the reflections and big open Norfolk skies providing plenty of opportunities for budding photographers. For budding birdwatchers, barn owls are regularly seen hunting across the park and groups of tits and finches can be found marauding through the trees and undergrowth, scavenging for morsels of food. Alternatively, try the four mile multi-use trail, which goes around the perimeter of the park and is accessible for people with buggies and young children, as well as those using wheelchairs and mobility aids, and will take you through woodland and across farmland.
Dogs welcome under close control in the park.
Mobility scooters and wheelchairs are available to hire.
More details and routes here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/norfolk/blickling-estate
We walked the Blickling to Calthorpe circular walk just before Christmas, and though we’ve visited Blickling many times, it was really nice to explore a new trail.
A considerate walk (7.5 miles) it took all day and definitely ensured our boys received their dose of fresh air and Vitamin D. Especially when our younger son gave up reading the map but decided not to tell anyone, adding on at least an extra half an hour to the exercise.
Find the exact route and walk we enjoyed here.
Felbrigg Hall, Gardens and Estate
One of the most elegant 17th century country houses in East Anglia, Felbrigg’s estate comprises 520 acres of woods, with rolling parkland, a lake and way-marked paths. One of the most popular winter walks is the Church and ice house walk. This easy 2.5 mile circular walk passes historic buildings dating back to the 1700s, notable trees, a hidden lake and an imaginatively planted arrangement of beech trees.
Dogs on leads welcome on the wider estate and in the tearoom.
Discover more details: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/norfolk/felbrigg-hall-gardens-and-estate
Blakeney National Nature Reserve
At the heart of the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Blakeney National Nature Reserve boasts wide open spaces and uninterrupted views of the beautiful North Norfolk coastline. The four mile long shingle spit of Blakeney Point offers protection for Blakeney Harbour and the surrounding salt-marshes, providing a perfect habitat for the vast array of residential and migratory wildlife, including England’s largest colony of grey seals. The nature reserve can be explored on foot, and the family friendly Blakeney Freshes coastal walk is a popular route in winter. Following a 3-mile route, this trail is ideal for spotting wildlife and birdwatching.
Dogs are welcome on short leads.
The best way to see the grey seal colony is by taking a boat trip from Morston Quay, you can find further information here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/norfolk/blakeney-national-nature-reserve
Horsey Windpump
Horsey, where the Broads meet the coast, is a remote location famed for its internationally important wildlife, including the over-wintering wildfowl frequenting Horsey Mere. Horsey Windpump stands sentinel over the mere and surrounding Broadland landscape.
Experience this captivating scene on the Horsey Windpump and beach walk, following grassy paths and tracks, encompassing low-lying grazing marshes, sand dunes and a narrow sandy beach, with the chance of seeing grey seals and their pups in early winter. During wet weather and the colder months, paths can become muddy and slippery underfoot (we concur – see below), so please take care and wear appropriate footwear.
Dogs welcome under close control.
Please check the website for the café opening times.
The windpump will re-open in April 2023.
Routes and more information: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/norfolk/horsey-windpump
To end 2023, we took an after lunch family stroll, following the Horsey Beach and village circular walk.
A 3.6 mile circular walk that starts at Horsey Windpump car park (charge applies to non-NT members – has toilets) and takes you to Horsey Beach, famous for its seal colony, and then around Horsey village, this was very enjoyable. Points to watch are the muddy off-road terrain (it had rained a lot before our walk and was pretty boggy in places at the start of the walk) and a short section along the road towards the end.
However, we had lots of laughs en route, saw loads of gorgeous seals (at a distance, obviously) and treated ourselves to hot drinks and delicious cake from the Horsey Shop & Tea Room beside the Windpump at the end.
Find the full walk route and map here.
