Winter days out in the North West

Whether you're looking to explore somewhere new for the New Year or wanting to blow away the winter cobwebs in the great outdoors, we've plenty of places open for you to enjoy. Wander through the UK's largest winter garden, take in impressive views on a winter walk, or enjoy the sights and sounds of winter wildlife.

Visiting information for this winter 

In England and Northern Ireland, our gardens, parks and countryside remain open for local people to exercise. Shops, houses and other indoor areas are closed, and cafés are takeaway only. The safety of our staff, volunteers and visitors from the nearby community remains our priority and we urge you to book your visits in advance and stay local. All places in Wales are currently closed. Please check the property webpage before you travel.

More details on what's open
Admiring the Witch Hazel in Dunham Massey's Winter Garden
Dunham Massey   Greater Manchester

Wander through winter at Dunham Massey

At a time when many places are having a winter sleep, Dunham Massey is alive with colour. The 7 acre winter garden is home to over 1600 winter shrubs, trees and evergreens chosen for their scent, colour and texture. Take a winter stroll to see striking white-stemmed silver birches and bright dogwood barks as well as colourful berries and winter flowers. Beneath the trees, thousands of bulbs spring to life over the cold season, including snowdrops, white cyclamen and striking blue winter irises.

Plan a day of discovery at Dunham Massey
Blue skies and frost underfoot on the path to the Cage at Lyme, Cheshire
Lyme   Cheshire

Enjoy time in the great outdoors at Lyme

Walk, run or meander your way into a New Year at Lyme with over 1,400 acres of parkland to explore. Many trees around Lyme might be lacking their leaves at this time of year, but this allows you to see our views differently. In the garden, see if you can spot the tree with a 90 degree angle cut out to keep the Lantern in view. Placed high on the hill, the Lantern can be seen from the eastern side of the house. It is said that if Lord Newton could see the Lantern clearly from the Dining Room, it was good enough weather for hunting.

Take in new views this New Year at Lyme
Visitors walking through the gardens in winter
Quarry Bank   Cheshire

Take in a rare landscape at Quarry Bank

The formal gardens at Quarry Bank take advantage of their naturally dramatic setting, and are significant for the way they relate to the surrounding landscape, both natural and manmade. This is an example of the industrial picturesque, a new movement at the time Quarry Bank was first constructed. Take your own scenic route or follow one of our walking trails including the Kingfisher Walk, the Southern Woods Walk, or the Giant's Castle Walk.

Explore the picturesque valley at Quarry Bank
Deer in the parkland at Tatton Park
Tatton Park   Cheshire

Get closer to nature at Tatton

Escape, relax and recharge in the Parkland at Tatton. There is an abundance of wildlife to spot including the deer who live here. In the garden, you can follow the outdoor art trail to take in some of Cheshire's Wonderful Wildlife. As you explore 50-acres of winter gardens, you'll be treated to 12 wildlife posters by local artist Nicky Thompson.

Take in wildlife wonders at Tatton
Visitors walking on the North Lawn at Speke Hall
Speke Hall   Liverpool

Spot winter wildlife or build a family den at Speke

Lace-up and don your big coat for a walk around the estate at Speke Hall. Take a wander to the nearby estuary - an internationally important site providing unique views of the birds who migrate here. If you're looking for some family fun, head to the woodland to have a go at making your very own den from the nature's building materials. The only limit is your imagination!

Plan a winter adventure at Speke Hall