There's no better time of year for a good walk, and The Ramblers, who know a thing or two about good walks are again running their Festival of Winter Walks, which was launched over 30 years ago. This is a nationwide programme of group walks that take place over the festive period which looks to get more people out walking (visit their website to discover a walk near you).

We’ve put together a list of walks which are easy to reach from our East Midlands developments, so if you feel the urge for the great outdoors over the festive period, try out some of these!

SOUTH LEICESTERSHIRE

This walk from Croft will be handy if you live near our Estley Green or Fairway developments. It’s a ten-mile ‘average’ difficulty walk so is great for a full day out, taking in paths, bridleways and roads to give you a real post-Christmas workout. 

NORTH EAST LEICESTERSHIRE 

If you live near our Station Lane or Scholars Walk developments, try out this Hoby Circular Walk, just a five-minute drive from the developments.

It’s just under six miles long and classed as ‘easy’. The walk starts from the Blue Bell Inn in Hoby, taking in field footpaths and passing close to Ragdale Hall. Some great views to be had and, of course, refreshments at the pub before and afterwards!

NORTH WEST LEICESTERSHIRE

If you're near our Markfield development or Fieldfare in Mountsorrel, you will be familiar with the wonderful Bradgate Park, 830 acres of stunning countryside near Newtown Linford. The park offers something for everyone, with a rugged landscape and rocky outcrops, along with woodland to the north and more accessible exploring to the south of the park.

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

Fermyn Woods Country Park is just a 12-minute drive from our Heartlands development at Priors Hall Park, Corby. In the heart of Rockingham Forest, it has way-marked, circular walks which are suitable for all ages and accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs.

If you fancy something more challenging and live near our Mountcroft development in Long Buckby, you could try this 13.5-mile walk from Long Buckby to Braunston, which takes in farmland, the Jurassic Way, and the Grand Union Canal. 

RUTLAND WATER

The East Midlands is home to Rutland Water, one of the most important nature reserves in Europe, situated about 25 miles east of Leicester. There are several circular walks you could attempt, ranging from five to 27 miles in length. 

THE LEICESTERSHIRE ROUND

If you’d like to set yourself a challenge for 2023, you could try tackling the Leicestershire Round, a 100 mile walk circumnavigating Leicester and taking in some fabulous landmarks such as Foxton Locks, Bosworth battlefield and Bradgate Park. The Leicestershire Footpath Association has broken the walk down into 32 small sections, details of which are downloadable from the Association’s website. 

Let us know if you have any favourite walks others may like to tackle over the Christmas period.