From gentle circular routes, to character trails that inspire kids imaginations, and woodland adventures for tree climbing and building dens, here's our round-up of some of the best places to enjoy the fresh air with the kids this winter...
Gruffly Trail, Alice Holt Forest, Hampshire - follow the trail to find wooden sculptures of characters from the popular children's book. There's play equipment along the way, and the trail is easy to follow.
Room on the Broom Adventure Trail, West Yorkshire - Another themed trail based on a popular children's book series. It's a two-mile circular route around a lake, and you can expect character statues and activities to keep kids entertained along the way.
Buttermere Walk, Lake District - this is an easy circular route with beautiful views of the fells and lake, making it ideal for a leisurely family stroll.
Loggerheads Country Park, North Wales - this walk features the 'Devil's Gorge' and other activities along the trail.
Rydal Water, Lake District - this gentle walk takes in fascinating features such as Rydal Cave, a large cavern, and a pretty garden nearby.
Epping Forest, Essex - With more than 6,000 acres of vast woodlands, this area looks particularly beautiful during the winter months. Visit the ponds at Wanstead Flats and Wanstead Park to feed the ducks, and follow the Oak Trail for a scenic route, where you can spot deer.
Box Hill, Surrey - there's a wonderful natural play area for kids to enjoy, and you can take in incredible views. The woodlands are great for family games of hide and seek, and building a den, and then you can relax in the café. Box Hill hosts lots of events throughout the year, so it's worth keeping an eye on the National Trust's website to see what they've got coming up.
Loch Lomond Faerie Trail, Southern Scotland - a magical trail with a mystical theme that is certain to capture the imagination of children.
Heddon Valley, North Devon - this route features a path from a wooded valley down to a rocky beach, while still being accessible for pushchairs and mobility scooters.
The Devil's Punch Bowl, Surrey - this 282 hectare attraction offers amazing views over the Surrey countryside. It's a large natural amphitheatre and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. There's lots of history and stories associated with the site and you can learn more from information boards throughout. There's a natural play area, where kids can climb and run around, pushchair-friendly routes, and there's a café.
Beatrix Potter Walk, Lake District - explore the landscape that inspired Beatrix Potter, connecting villages like Hawkshead and Sawrey.
Harry Potter Walking Tour, London - for something more urban, wrap up warm and a join a guided tour to see real-life locations from the films, such as King's Cross Station and the Ministry of Magic. But if you want to save money, do your research and create you our tour.
Tollymore Forest Park, Northern Ireland - this is a great place for families to spot wildlife and explore a tranquil forest setting.
Richmond Park, London - the largest of London's Royal Parks, this is a National Nature Reserve and a great place to spot deer. It looks particularly picturesque on crisp winter mornings, so if you're a keen photographer, be sure to bring your camera. There are lots of lovely cafés, pubs and restaurants in Richmond if you want to grab a coffee or get cosy for a pub lunch after working up an appetite on your wintery walk.
Knole Park, Kent - this is another great park for deer spotting, and one of our favourite spots for a Christmas family walk. The 1,000 acre park features a herd of fallow and Sika deer, and there's ancient woodlands to explore. This is free of charge, but if you want to visit the historic Knole House, a ticket is required. It's managed by the National Trust, but you can access the cafe without a ticket to grab a hot drink to enjoy as you stroll around the park. The deer are accustomed to people walking around, but as with Richmond Park, play safe and don't get too close.
Finchale Abbey, County Durham - it's worth mentioning that the city of Durham is a beautiful place to wander around in winter. Famous for its UNESCO World Heritage Site cathedral and castle, winding cobbled streets, and rich history, it's a picture-perfect place to explore at Christmas. But County Durham offers lot of beautiful spots for winter walks, and Finchale Abbey is one of our favourites. Take a stroll along the banks of the River Wear, and let the kids have fun exploring the ruins of Finchale Priory (a 13th-century Benedictine priory). Be sure to pack a thermos, sandwiches and snacks.
With all that walking and running around after the kids or grandkids, you're going to need a comfy pair of boots, and we've got the perfect competition for you...