I love a walk at the best of times but I believe there’s nothing better than those bright, sunny winter mornings where you can grab your scarf and earmuffs, and embark on a new adventure - coffee in hand. The crunchy grass and frozen lakes make for a picturesque walk, and you don’t need to worry about getting hot and bothered.
We’re very lucky here in Merseyside, with dozens of beautiful parks, coastal paths, villages and towns right on our doorstep and a winter walk is the perfect chance to explore them.
Many are ideal for a Christmas Day or Boxing Day walk too - but you’ll need to bring your own flask of coffee and a bag of snacks on these days as you’re unlikely to find your favourite cafe open.
Take a look at the gallery below to see 14 beautiful locations in Merseyside that you definitely need to visit if you’re a lover of a winter walk.
1. West Kirby, Wirral
West Kirby is a lovely town on the Wirral and its Marine Lake is a perfect and easy circular walking trail, on level ground. In winter, the wind can be chilly so wrap up warm and prepare for gorgeous views of the Welsh Hills. | Derrick Neill/stock.adobe
2. Formby, Sefton
Just short drive or train from Liverpool, Formby is the perfect place for a winter walk. The Red Squirrel Trail is a signposted walk around the beautiful woodlands and takes around an hour to complete. Formby Village is also ideal for grabbing a warming post-walk drink. | Pavlo Burdyak - stock.adobe.com
3. Birkenhead Park, Wirral
Birkenhead Park is a beautiful green space and was the first publicly funded park in England - it even inspired the design of Central Park in New York. It is ideal for a wintry walk and the kids can grab a hot chocolate at the cafe. | AFP via Getty Images
4. Cronton, Knowsley
Cronton is an ancient village surrounded by green belt land. It is home to two pubs and an observatory and historically, most residents were farmers. The quaint village is ideal for a winter walk. | David Dixon