Walk off those mince pies in the National Forest

The National Forest is brimful of fantastic places to take a stroll to work off the excesses of Christmas. Spanning 200 square miles of Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire, the Forest has not only over 400 woodlands to explore, but also wonderful open spaces, beautiful lakes and reservoirs and loads of play areas for youngsters.

Take a look at the new Poppy Wood outside Melbourne on the northern boundary of the Forest, saunter beside the canal at Moira Furnace in the heart of the Forest and explore Pit Prop Wood with the nearby children’s play area or stride out through ancient forest of Needwood at Jackson’s Bank in Staffordshire.

Blow the cobwebs away on craggy Beacon Hill in Leicestershire or walk amongst the growing woodland at Willesley Wood near Ashby de la Zouch. Climb Billa Barra, just off junction 22 of the M1, or – for something very different – visit the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas and experience the grandeur of the new Armed Forces Memorial.

You’re spoilt for choice in The National Forest – and it’s on your doorstep. So get off the sofa, flick the remote ‘off’ and put on your walking shoes!

For more ideas of places to walk in the Forest use the interactive map at Nationalforest.org/mapping or visit the Tourist Information Centres in the Forest at Ashby de la Zouch, Coors Visitor Centre in Burton upon Trent or Sharpe’s Pottery Museum in Swadlincote.