insideKENT Magazine Issue 34 - January 2015 | Page 92

DAYSOUT

© National Trust

© National Trust. John Millar

KENT'S BEST WINTRY WALKS
Whether you're seeking a bracing walk or relaxing stroll around landscaped gardens,
naturally rugged outdoor sites, or parkland, wrap up warm this season and follow
the National Trust's guide to the best places for wintry walks in Kent.
Many of the beautiful gardens and
countryside spaces the National
Trust cares for in Kent are open
from Boxing Day onwards, offering
the perfect opportunity for winter
walks in picture-postcard
landscapes well into 2015.
Experience some outdoor delights
from avenues of frost-covered
topiary and borders packed with
sensational colour, to ice-rimmed
lakes, windswept beaches and
breathtaking vistas.
There’s nothing like a winter walk
to build up a bit of an appetite, so
after a stroll, retreat to the cosy
interior of a National Trust tearoom
for a delicious warming treat. Every
penny from your visit will contribute
towards maintaining the special
places in the Trust’s care.
Chartwell
Spend more time in the garden and
studio, or enjoy one of the many
estate walks around Chartwell by
picking up details outside the visitor
centre. Alternatively, visit the winter
exhibition, Death of a Hero, which
commemorates the 50th
anniversary of the death of Sir
Winston Churchill and his lasting
legacy. Families can try out the Life
and Legacy trail around the garden,
which leads to the exhibition.

Between Boxing Day and New
Year's Day, Chartwell's shop,
tearoom, gardens and exhibition
are open from 11am-4pm, the
studio is open from 12pm-3.30pm,
and the house is closed. Death of
a Hero runs until 22nd February.

Knole
Whilst Knole’s showrooms
close for conservation during
the winter months, the parkland
is as alive as ever. Choose from
a range of downloadable walks
that offer glimpses of the
resident deer herd, flat routes
for relaxed strolls, and a longer
walk to nearby Ightham Mote.

Ightham Mote
Enjoy the peaceful setting of this
romantic moated manor house,
with its gardens, orchard, water
features and woodland walks
through the Kent countryside. Join
a Boxing Day or New Year’s Day
trek, complete with a tasty breakfast
to fuel the informal guided walk
through the estate or visit over
January.

Leave the excesses of the
festive period behind with a
New Year’s Day guided walk
Knole. © National Trust. Jo Hatcher
amongst the wildlife in its vast
medieval park. The walk takes
in the beautiful landscape and fascinating history of Knole, before finishing
with the chance to warm up with refreshments from the Outdoor Café.
The Outdoor café is open 11am-4pm, and the car park from 10.15am-6pm
between Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. A free New Year’s Day guided
walk runs from 10.45am-1pm (meet at the Outdoor Café), and downloadable
walks are available online.

Between Boxing Day and New
Year's Eve, the ground floor of the
house, garden, tearoom and shop
are open 11am-3pm. On New
Year’s Day, the garden, tearoom
and shop are open from 10am, the
house from 11am. The estate is
open dawn to dusk daily.

Scotney Castle
During winter, Scotney Castle is transformed into an almost magical
landscape, with frost and ice settling on the moat, plus grass and plants
surrounding the ruins of the medieval castle. Further afield, the estate is
home to walks through beautiful parkland, woodland, and alongside the
historic Hop Farm – pick up an estate map from the visitor reception and
explore its marked trails.

Boxing Day trek and breakfast,
10am-12pm; New Year’s Day trek
and breakfast, 11am-1pm. All
tickets cost £21.50 per person and
booking is essential on 01732
811314.

Inside the house, don’t miss Arthur’s War, a fascinating exhibition showcasing
recently discovered items from WWI, all of which belong to aristocratic,
Arthur Hussey.

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