Winter Wind Down: Wonderful Walks With My Urban Trail

One of the lovely things about the Christmas holiday is perhaps some extra time to enjoy a festive walk or time in the fresh air with family and friends. Also a great antidote to what can be a rather hectic the season!

Our friends at My Urban Trail have given us some top tips for getting outside at this time of year, walks that might be near you or you can plan to visit and staying safe on darker, colder days. When you return home, warm up with a mince pie and seasonal tipple served beautifully in an Emma Britton glass, simply pick your favourite.

My Urban Trail is an independent womens outdoor and activewear brand on a mission to empower women everywhere to embrace movement in the outdoors. They make the bestselling Trailblazer Hiking Leggings and a thermal version that the Emma Britton team love. Wrap up in My Urban Trail and get yourself outside, their range is also really perfect for giving to outdoorsy, active friends and family.

After your walk in the fresh air, the reward has to be warm apple pie or something sweet with wintry berries to serve hungry adventurers in nostalgic Emma Britton Silver Birch Bowls – always a great hit for puddings and please do buy as Christmas presents. If we’re sold out, crystal coupes also make a lovely serve for puddings.

Top Tips for Seasonal Walks

If you’re staying somewhere special over Christmas in beautiful wild country, spending time where the conditions can be more extreme than you’re used too, or are just planning an enjoyable walk in your local area, read on for some things to consider before you go.

A spare pair of socks and gloves, snacks and a hot drink in your bag are always a great idea, so sneak in a few of those festive treats you’ve got in abundance. As you can see, Silver Birch Crystal Coupes are great for grabbing nibbles from – leave them full by the door for all to fill their pockets with, also in Exotic Floral pattern.

Wonderful Walks to Try

All of these walks and so many more in detail can be found on the My Urban Trail Blog – their wonderful outdoor wear will keep you cosy.

Fossil Hunting, Dorset and Beyond

Surely the greatest Christmas treasures of all, and you’re never to old to feel the thrill of finding a fossil. Fossil hunting is an incredible outdoor adventure, transporting you back millions of years as you uncover ancient treasures along the shore and is something you can enjoy with friends and family, something for all ages.

One of the best places in the UK to search for fossils is Charmouth Beach on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset. Or why not try Whitby, North Yorkshire, Bracklesham Bay, West Sussex, Culver Cliffs, Isle of Wight. Find out more here.

Family Friendly Peak District Trails

Including the gorgeous Chatsworth Estate, Mam Tor and Hayfield Reservoir. Take a look at some easy routes.

Brilliant Buttermere, Lake District

Buttermere is flat, friendly for different and mixed age groups, and offers some of the most stunning mountain views in the Lake District without much effort. Definitely one to try at any time of year. This circular walk is 7.4 miles – as with all outdoor spaces, be mindful of rough sections, slippery rocks in wet weather and trip hazards from loose stones and rocks. Fancy this walk? Find out more.

Walking Tips

Don’t forget daylight fades quickly at this time of year so do keep an eye on the time. Plan your walk and leave enough to reach home before darkness falls.

Checking the correct weather forecasts is a fundamental basic for any seasonal walks you’re considering. It’s sometimes not enough just to check the weather for the local area you’re heading to; especially if you have planned a day in the moors, hills or mountains. Looking at the specific forecast when it comes to any mountain or high hill walking is a must – don’t skip it.

Do check the general weather for rain/snow/sun but also look at the other conditions like wind speed and ‘feels like’ temperature that will tell you how cold things really are out there. Laura, Founder, My Urban Trail

Dress:

• Make sure you layer up, lots of thin layers that you can take off as well as midlayers. A fleece or a softshell jacket will keep you warm and repel the wind.
• Outerlayer – a waterproof like the Wanderlust waterproof jacket is a must for hiking
• Legwear – walking trousers or leggings like the Trailblazers are so suited to wintry walking, go for thermal on very cold days and take pullover waterproof trousers too.
• Accessories like a hat and gloves will keep you warm when the temperature drops.
• Good quality walking boots, a Gore-Tex waterproof lining will ensure your feet stay dry even when squelching through puddles

Post Walk Pick Me Up

Don’t forget to warm up with a festive tipple on your return home in your favourite Emma Britton glassware, a nip of something in an Exotic Floral Crystal Tumbler maybe, Silver Birch Coupe Espresso Martini, fine red wine or a refreshing 0% spritz that serves beautifully in everything from meadow tumblers to fancy flutes in bestselling patterns, individually decorated and hand finished at Emma’s Derbyshire Studio.

Shop the best in walking wear from My Urban Trail (myurbantrail.com) for a great gift active friends and family will love, and Emma Britton glassware for Christmas here.