5 best places for a Christmas or Boxing Day walk in Nottingham

Let’s be honest, we’re all guilty of overindulging at Christmas. With takeaways, works’ meals and Christmas dinner itself all scoffed within a short period, it can be easy to pile on the pounds over the festive season. 

Combine those high-calorie meals with hours spent in front of the telly and you’ve got a bit of an unhealthy lifestyle. 

Of course, there’s no harm in enjoying ourselves over Christmas, but it’s important to remain active, too. 

Read more: Lifestyle in Nottingham

Walking is a great way to maintain our physical and mental health over the festive season - and we’re lucky to have so many great places for a bracing stroll here in Nottingham. 

Below we’ve picked out five perfect spots for a winter walk in and around the city. 

Bulwell Hall Park

Located to the north of the city, Bulwell Hall Park should definitely be on your list of open spaces to visit this winter. 

The park sits beside an 18-hole golf course, so you can even tie in a family walk with a couple of hours on the fairway!

Bulwell Hall Park is very popular with dog-walkers and its lakes make for a tranquil spot to pause amongst nature. 

If you fancy taking in some amateur footy on a Saturday afternoon, Bulwell Hall Park is the place to go!

Arboretum 

At this time of year the famous Arboretum might not offer as much colour as it does in the summer, but it still makes for a picturesque walking spot.  

The Arboretum is the oldest park in the city and is home to more than 800 trees. 

Visitors to the 17-acre space can follow two walks - the Heritage Trail and Tree Trail. 

The park even has its own café, where you can stop for some warm refreshments after your walk. 

Highfields Park

When it comes to picturesque spots in Nottingham, you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere better than Highfields Park. 

With exotic plants and water features, it boasts similarities to New York’s famous Central Park. 

Highfields Park has disability access and dogs are welcome, making it the ideal place for a family afternoon out over the festive season. 

If your visit falls on a crisp, sunny day, don’t forget to take a few snaps for Instagram!

Woodthorpe Grange Park

Much like the Arboretum, Woodthorpe Grange Park boasts a number of rare, exotic plants that you can spot while having a walk around. 

The park is perhaps most famous for being home to a large sculpture of a train emerging from a tunnel. 

If you’re looking to burn off a few Christmas calories while visiting the park, why not use the free outdoor exercise equipment?

Colwick Country Park

If you’re looking to combine walking with a bit of wildlife-spotting, look no further than the Colwick Country Park. 

During winter the park is home to a nationally significant population of wildfowl. 

The park is a popular place for bird watching and wildlife photography, so feel free to combine your stroll around the 65 acre main lake with other activities.