Last week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson made a last minute change to the coronavirus rules that would allow three households to mix for a five-day period over the Christmas season. Due to a new mutant strain of the coronavirus, which is said to be 70% more transmissible, the Government announced that most of the United Kingdom, including Manchester, would only be able to mix with other households on Christmas Day. The only areas where this is different are London and the South East of England where any mixing whatsoever is banned and Christmas has effectively been cancelled for millions of people.
Families across Manchester will have seen their Christmas plans come crashing down as a result of the weekend’s announcement. Plans to see family or friends on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day will have suddenly been thrown into jeopardy. However, the outdoor clothing brand Regatta has come to the rescue with a set of Manchester-based winter walks that families can take part in over Christmas instead. After all, the Tier 3 rules allow you to see up to six friends and family members you do not live with in an outdoor public setting such as parks, heritage sites and countryside.
Regatta’s six best winter walks to do near Manchester are:
Dunham Massey
Part of the National Trust, Dunham Massey is home to a beautiful house, ancient deer park and lush gardens that provide a gorgeous backdrop for a winter walk this Christmas. The park, which is free to access, is open until 4pm every day over the Christmas period. The grounds are also dog friendly to bring your four-legged family members along for the journey too.
Shutlingsloe Walk
If Dunham Massey is a great walk for all the family then Shutlingsloe Walk is one for the more experienced hikers. Not for the faint of heart, this steep four hour trek, which begins near Macclesfield Forest, takes you to one of the highest summits in the region. Reach the top and you will get to enjoy breathtaking views of Cheshire and the Peak District.
Wizard’s Walk at Alderley Edge
The Shutlingsloe Walk may not be appropriate for some families owing to its difficult terrain. In that case, the Wizard’s Walk at Alderley Edge may be a much more suitable alternative. One mile long, but generally accessible for all abilities, it allows you to see haunting local sights such as the Druid’s Circle, Stormy Point and Devil’s Grave.
Ethecrow Country Park
Formerly the grounds of an estate, until it was opened to the public in the late 1800s, Ethecrow Country Park is an historic and beautiful area to enjoy a family walk this Christmas time. The 32-acre park is especially attractive to bird watchers as Ethecrow attracts hundreds of different species.
Lyme Park
You may encounter a strange feeling that you have seen Lyme Park somewhere before as you walk around the striking grounds of this lavish property. Well, you would be correct; Lyme Park was used as the location for BBC’s popular adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice starring Colin Firth. However, there’s no need to be a fan of Austen to enjoy Lyme Park; the lake, the gardens, the flora and fauna all make it a spectacular winter trip for everyone.
Tatton Park
COVID certainly hasn’t cancelled Christmas at Tatton Park. There will be a Christmas garden trail for families to follow this December, meanwhile Father Christmas and his elf helpers will be there with a live Nativity, Dancer the reindeer and festive pop-up gift stalls with plenty of seasonal treats. It makes Tatton Park the perfect place for those missing the usual festivities of this wonderful time of year.
