National Trust Winter Gardens and Walks

Walks And Walking - National Trust Winter Walks

You can't quite beat the icy cold air from an embracing Winter walk. I always think you should do every walk at least four times so that you get to see the surroundings, countryside, forest or landscape in all its year round beauty. The snow adds that extra bit of excitement to any walking route whether it be a woodland walk in Epping Forest, a waterfall country walk in Wales or a long trek across Bodmin Moor in Cornwall.

The Forest Way is a favourite walk of mine that leads from Epping Forest all the way up to Hatfield Forest. Hatfield Forest is a rare surviving example of a medieval royal hunting forest and is now owned by the National Trust. The National Trust have a huge list of nationwide Winter gardens that make great locations for a good Winter walk where you can blow away the cobwebs and enjoy a refreshing walk in a frosty garden.

Winter Walks - Walks And Walking

The National Trust's Top Ten Winter Gardens

The Stourhead Estate in Wiltshire is set around a huge lake with plenty to see and do including classicial and gothic buildings, woodlands, a mystical grotto and a unique circular temple dedicated to Apollo

Dinefwr Park and Castle is located in Carmarthenshire and dates back to the 18th-century with five walks across the estate with the rare and historic White Park cattle grazing in the medieval parklands.

Anglesey Abbey, Garden and Lode Mill is situated in Cambridgeshire and offers an atmospheric Emperor's Walk and over 150 species of plant in its Winter Garden.

Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire offers over 3,000 acres of green space and makes a great day out for long distance walkers with the longest lime tree avenue in Europe.

Dunham Massey is located in Cheshire and is the largest Winter Garden in the UK with over 700 different species of plant and over 1,600 different types of shrub.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden is situated in Yorkshire and is a World Heritage Site that offers extensive ruins of the Cistercian abbey, elegant temples, neo-classical statues, canals and moon shaped ponds of the Royal Water Garden.

Killerton in Devon offers far reaching views of Dartmoor and Haldon Hill as well as an Ice House and the Bear's Hut summerhouse

Mottisfont is situated in Hampshire and is a newly created Winter Garden inspired by the River Test with over 5,000 new plants and species of shrub.

Rowallane Garden in County Down offers an enchanting garden, walled garden, Pleasure Grounds and a very enjoyable walk around the famous Rock Garden Wood.

Stowe Landscape Garden is situated in Buckinghamshire offering wide open spaces, wooded valleys, and ornamental lakes, spectacular views, hidden corners and over 40 temples and monuments.

For more details of The National Trust's Top Ten Winter Gardens click here.

For the latest membership offers please click here.

Fwd: Epping Forest Walks

Epping Forest Walks

There is a magnificent world on the borders of North London Town which has been allowing Londoners and visitors to the area an opportunity to escape into the wilderness for hundreds and thousands of years. This amazing tranquil and idyllic land which is protected by Parliament itself and the City of London is no other than the great Epping Forest.

Epping Forest is a sprawl of 6500 acres which stretches over the borders of Essex and London from the North to the East and encompasses fields for cattle grazing which in rotation allows the public access to perfectly naturally maintained fields all year round.

Other amenities range from playing areas, paths for walking, guided walks and cycle rides, leisure activities from camping to yachting on the lakes and heritage events and theatre performances in the fresh open air of Epping Forest.

The cattle grazing are usually the outstanding and bulky English Longhorn with their inwardly curved horns, such a more beautiful brown and white cow did you ever wish to meet while walking in the wilderness of London's suburbs. This bred of cow, rare until the mid 1980s, the latest grazing project right at the heart of Epping Forest will aid in the survival of the great English longhorn breed.

With animal welfare, wildlife management, forestry management and natural grazing projects at its heart, Epping Forest continues to offer the young and the old an opportunity to glimpse wilderness on their doorstep whilst offering a range of outdoor activities and even a few that are usually found inside.

The parks and open spaces that make up the 6,5000 acres of Epping Forest and its wide and all inclusive land is open to cyclists, horse riding and hikers of all ages and what better way than to engage one of many Epping Forest walks and cycle routes.

With over 650 species of plants, over 80 lakes and ponds the many animals and wildlife that live within Epping Forest leave much for you to unearth and discover both physically and visually when on the paths and tracks and partaking in the great Epping Forest walks on offer.

The UK's green and pleasant land is not to be sniffed at or taken for granted, to ensure Londoners and visitors to London and the suburbs get to visit such great and wonderous places such as Epping Forest then the areas need to used in every day society. Or land usage gets bought and used by other interested parties like builders and planners, Epping Forest walks are open to every one and all year round with carefully plotted routes and paths which take you past interesting and colourful flora and fauna.

There are many ways you can partake in Epping Forest Walks, aside from the guided tours and venturing out into the plains, woods and navigating your own way around Epping Forest, There are organised Epping Forest Health Walks on Tuesdays and Thursdays with a Centenary walk in mid September.

It's only walking in Epping Forest that is catered for, but cycling too. You can hire Mountain Bikes for specific trails within Epping Forest and utilise the many tracks and guided tours on offer. Epping Forest walks and trails are in leaflet form or by guided tour but feel free to ramble and take in the sights and sounds of the local wildlife on the doorstep of London Town its very self.

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David Knockton

m: +44 (0) 7912 664473 

Social networks and websites

Epping Forest

Epping Forest – The best walks and walking routes in Epping Forest

This is a simple to follow guide to over 30 of the best walks and walking routes in Epping Forest, including easy short walks, family walks and good long walks.

Easy Short Walks

Easy walks that are suitable for all of the family, mostly up to 5 miles which should take a leisurely 2 to 3 hours to complete. Epping Forest can be quite muddy so it is advisable to wear a good pair of walking boots or waterproof walking shoes. Facilities can be quite limited in Epping Forest with High Beach being the most central location for refreshments and toilet facilities.

Moderate Longer Walks

These walks are typically between 5 to 10 miles long and can be quite challenging. These types of walks can take between 3 to 5 hours to complete at a good walking pace. Epping Forest has a myriad of pathways so always make sure you have a paper or digital map with you and take refreshments and plenty of liquids with you to keep hydrated. There are plenty of Epping Forest Fallow Deer, Muntjacs and other wildlife to be found on these walking routes so it is always worth keeping as quite as you can to avoid scaring them off before you get to see them!

Good Long Walks

These walks are typically over 10 miles where you can really immerse yourself in Epping Forest and try some of the lesser known walking routes and hidden treasures, taking in as many as you can on a day long walk. Always be fully prepared for good long walks and long distance walking routes taking plenty of fluids, refreshments and plenty of plasters just in case.

http://www.walksandwalking.com/epping-forest/

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http://www.walksandwalking.com/2012/11/walks-and-walking-latest-clearance-offers-from-go-outdoors/

Walking Routes for 2012

Walking Routes

The main purpose of this walking routes website is to encourage people to explore our beautiful UK countryside and walk a good 5, 10 or 15 miles. I have personally completed all of the featuredwalks and have included a descriptive walking route or, in some cases, a link to a more detailedwalking map.

Each walking route also includes information about the walk, a little of the area’s history, photographs or a link to the photo album for each walk, video links for the really special walking routes and  recommendations for walking boots, walking clothes and walking accessories.

You can also upload your own walking routes and walking experiences to our Walks And Walking facebook page and please follow us on Walks And Walking twitter for latest news and retailer special offers.

There are currently over 125 free UK walking routes available with new walks added each week. From February 2012 most walks will now include a ViewRanger map. All of the walks are completely free with no subscription fees, no registration fees and no download fees. This website is funded by our retailer advertisers so please visit the Walks And Walking Shop

And most of all, please enjoy your walks!

Walking Routes – UK Walks – UK Walking – British Walks

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Essex Walks

Epping Forest

Click here for the latest Epping Forest Map 2012

1. Walks in Essex

2. Epping Forest Walks in Chingford

3. Epping Forest Walks in Wanstead

4. Epping Forest Walks in Gilwell Park including the Secret Bluebell Wood

5. Epping Forest Walks in High Beach

6. Epping Forest Walks in Upshire

7. Epping Forest Walks in Copped Hall

8. Epping Forest Walks in Theydon Bois

9. Epping Forest Walks in Ambresbury Banks Fort

10. Epping Forest Walks in Loughton

11. Epping Forest Walks in Epping Green

12. Epping Forest Walks in Abridge

13. Epping Forest Walks in Hainault Forest

14. Epping Forest High Beach Church Walking Route

15. Epping Forest Queen Elizabeth’s Walking Route

16. Epping Forest Waltham Abbey to Epping Walking Route

17. Epping Forest South Woodford Walking Route

18. Epping Forest The Essex Way Walking Route

19. Epping Forest Pole Hill Obelisk Walking Route

20. Epping Forest Deer Sanctuary Walking Route

21. Epping Forest – A Family Walk In Pictures

22. Epping Forest Kate’s Cellar Walking Route

23. Epping Forest The Willow Trail Walking Route

24. Epping Forest The Holly Trail Walking Route

25. Epping Forest The Chestnut Trail Walking Route

26. Epping Forest Queen Boudicca Walking Route

27. Epping Forest 5 Mile Family Circular Walking Route

28. Epping Forest Jacks Hill Walking Route

29. Epping Forest District Walking Route

30. Epping Forest The Oak Trail Walking Route

The Rest Of Essex

1. Thorndon Country Park Walking Route

2. Kelvedon and Coggeshall Essex Walking Routes

3. The Forest Way Loughton to Hatfield Walking Route

4. Lee Valley Walking Route

5. Waltham Abbey Walking Route

6. Chipping Ongar Walking Route

7. Gunpowder Park Walking Route

8. Moreton Walking Route

9. Billericay to Chelmsford Walking Route

10. Rochford Walking Route

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Wales Walks

1. Walks in Wales

2. Henryhd Waterfall, Brecon Beacons, South Wales

3. Welsh Waterfalls Walk, Brecon Beacons, South Wales

4. Table Mountain, Brecon Beacons, South Wales

5. The Mumbles, Gower Peninsula, South Wales

6. The Brecon Mountain Railway, Brecon Beacons, South Wales

7. The Llanberis Path, Snowdon

8. The Miners Track and The PYG TRack, Snowdon

9. Criccieth Castle and Cardigan Bay

10. Portmeirion Italian Hill Village Walk

11. Wales Coast Path Walking Route

12. Coed y Brenin Forest Park Snowdonia

13. Snowdonia Betws-y-Coed Walking Route

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Cornwall Walks

1. Walks in Cornwall

2. South West Coastal Path Circular Walk – Cape Cornwall

3. South West Coastal Path Circular Walk – Lands End

4. South West Coastal Path Circular Walk – St Ives

5. South West Coastal Path Circular Walk – Sydney Cove

6. South West Coastal Path Circular Walk – Fowey

7. South West Coastal Path – Polruan Walking Route

8. South West Coastal Path – Polperro Walking Route

9. South West Coastal Path – Looe Walking Route

10. South West Coastal Path – Looe to Polperro Circular Walking Route

11. South West Coastal Path – Plymouth Walking Route

12. Bodmin Moor Walk

13. Liskeard to Looe Walk

14. The Hurlers Bodmin Moor Walk

15. South West Coastal Path – Chun Quoit Walking Route

16. South West Coastal Path – Looe to Polperro Walking Route

17. Bodmin Moor Rough Tor And Brown Willy Walking Route

18. St Mawes Castle Walking Route

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Somerset Walks

1. South West Coastal Path – Minehead Walking Route

2. Dulverton Tarr Steps Walking Route

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Devon  Walks

1. South West Coastal Path – Lynton Valley Of The Rocks Walking Route

2. Lynton Watersmeet Waterfalls Walking Route

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Dorset Walks

1. The Swanage and Purbeck 2012 Walking Festival

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Kent Walks

1. Broadstairs to Ramsgate

2. Ramsgate and Broadstairs Photos

3. Margate Walking Route

4. Elham Valley Way Walking Route - Guest Post by A Walk in the Garden

5. Herne Bay Walking Route

6. Sturry Walking Route

7. Sandwich Walking Route

8. Dover To Folkestone Walking Route

9. Folkestone White Horse Walking Route

10. Whitstable Crab and Winkle Way Walking Route

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Berkshire Walks

1. Combe Gibbet Newbury Walking Route

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Suffolk Walks

1. Walks in Suffolk

2. Summer Walks In Suffolk: Walberswick

3. Summer Walks In Suffolk: Walberswick And Southwold

4. Summer Walks In Suffolk: Aldeburgh

5. Summer Walks In Suffolk: Dunwich

6. Summer Walks In Suffolk

7. The Stanton Rides Walking Routes

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Hertfordshire Walks

1. Deacon Hill Hertfordshire Walking Route

2. Broxbourne Woods NNR Trail Walking Route

3. Hertford Heath Walking Route

4. St Albans Ver Valley Walking Route

5. Forty Hall Enfield Walking Route

6. Buntingford Walking Route

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Hampshire Walks

1. Walks in Hampshire

2. Isle of Wight Walks

3. The Tennyson Trail Walking Route

4. Ryde Pier to Bembridge Lifeboat Walking Route

5. Bembridge Fort Walking Route 

6. New Forest Walking Routes

7. Isle of Wight Walking Festival 2012

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West Sussex Walks

1. Arundel Castle Walking Route

2. Bognor Regis Walking Route

3. Slindon Estate National Trust Walking Route

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East Sussex Walks

1. 1066 Country Walk Walking Route

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Please also visit the Walks And Walking Shop

Take The Bite Out Of Summer With Avon’s Skin So Soft Bug Guard Essentials.

Take The Bite Out Of Summer With Avon's Skin So Soft Bug Guard Essentials.

Avon have just launched their first-ever online game – the Bug Guard Game. To get Bug Bashing on Facebook Avon Bug Guard.  The goal of this innovative game is for players to fend off bugs that are disrupting a virtual family picnic using various tools and Avon Skin So Soft Bug Guard products. All Players can post high scores to their Facebook walls and share "Free Sprays" for their friends to use in the game. Additionally, everyone who plays will receive a free shipping code that can be redeemed at Avon.com.

The entire collection includes:

Bug Guard Plus IR3535® Expedition ™ SPF 30

Combined sun and insect protection in one product and available in an Aerosol spray and Pump spray.

Strong and long-lasting repellency against mosquitoes, deer ticks, sand flies, gnats, no-seeums and biting midges where on long walks or days out.

Bug Guard Plus Picaridin

Protection during dusk & dawn, which is when mosquitoes are more active. Repels deer ticks that may transmit Lyme disease and mosquitoes that may carry West Nile virus. Available as an Aerosol Spray, Pump Spray and travel-friendly Towelettes.

Bug Guard Plus IR3535® SPF 30 Lotions

Repel mosquitoes, deer ticks, black flies, sand flies, gnats, no-seeums and biting midges. Aloe and Vitamin E-enriched formulas are available as a Gentle Breeze Lotion and Cool 'n Fabulous Disappearing Color Lotion perfect for long or short distance walking routes.

(When using Avon's insect repellents, read follow label directions & precautions)

Anti-Itch Spray

Provides temporary, soothing relief to itchy insect bites.

(Does not repel insects & use as directed)