Many of us feel like hunkering indoors and hibernating during the short, dark days of mid-winter. But during the festivities it’s good to get a breath of fresh air – a chance to blow away the cobwebs with family and friends or to have a bit of time to yourself!

We’ve come up with a seasonal selection of places for you to pop out to during the festive period. Choose from our top picks of hills, valleys and coast from across the Dorset National Landscape. All our suggestions offer short or longer walks, space to let off steam and of course, fantastic views. Get out and embrace the winter!

Stonebarrow

This National Trust-owned site is a firm family favourite at all times of year, offering a winning combination of fantastic views, wide open spaces and LOTS of fresh air!

A short and level 300m from the western end of the car park takes you to the coastal clifftop, with great views across Lyme Bay.

For a longer stretch of the legs, follow paths east from the car park and head for Golden Cap, the highest point on the South coast of England. Take a winter picnic for a fine day, or return to Charmouth for warmth and hospitality from its cafes and pubs.

Colmers Hill

You can see Colmers Hill near Bridport for miles around – a distinctive conical hill with a clump of pines on the top. It’s not actually as big as it looks from afar but a walk to the top is a great way to blow away the winter cobwebs! You’ll be rewarded with amazing views across the Jurassic Coast and West Dorset when you get to the top.

Follow the waymarked paths from Symondsbury Estate car park along the ancient holloway of Shute’s Lane then you’ll see the paths that take you steeply up the Hill. The café in Symondsbury offers a chance to warm up and while you’re there pick up some local delicacies from the adjacent store.

Black Down

Wrap up warm for an exhilarating walk at Black Down, near Martinstown; being the highest point on the South Dorset Ridgeway also brings bracing wintry air!
Follow paths from the free car park to the Hardy Monument, which can be seen for miles around and offers stunning 360° views across West Dorset, the Fleet and Chesil Beach.

Once you’ve taken in the views, there’s a lot more to explore. Follow the path that crosses the road for a walk through the atmospheric woods and back across heathland to the car park. For an even longer walk, head for Smitten Corner and follow the South Dorset Ridgeway Trail to Bronkham Hill, peppered with ancient round barrows.

North Dorset Trailway

North Dorset Trailway stretches between Sturminster Newton, Blandford and Spetisbury and at this time of year is a great way to explore the countryside without getting bogged down in mud! Following the route of the disused Somerset and Dorset Railway, the Trailway is a level, surfaced path which is great for walking, scooting and cycling.

There are lovely views of the meandering River Stour and its lush flood plain for the whole length of the Trail. You’ll also see the iconic Hambledon Hill iron age hillfort from the Trail. Stop off at Shillingstone Station café for a warming cuppa along the way.

Ringstead

Park up in the National Trust car park for fabulous views across Weymouth Bay and Portland. From there you can stick to the high ground and follow paths across unspoilt countryside to Burning Cliff, which once caught fire due to its composition of oil shale and iron pyorites. From there, walking east you will see the distinctive cliffs of White Nothe.

Or from the car park follow the ancient track down to the clear waters of the bay, for a wintry stomp along the shingle beach to clear the mind and warm the body.

Valley to Market Trail

If you’re lucky enough to get a new bike for Christmas, try it out on the 8 mile cycle route between Maiden Newton and Dorchester.

The surfaced paths make the Valley to Market Trail an ideal cycle in the winter. The Trail runs through the Frome Valley, following the historic footsteps of the valley’s farmers taking their produce to Dorchester’s market. Along the way, clues of the rich farming past are highlighted in the new Trail leaflet.

Stop off with at the Millennium Green in Frampton, where picnic benches alongside the River Frome make it a perfect place to pull out a flask of hot chocolate and a piece of Christmas cake!

Swyre Head

Wide open, sweeping views from start to finish make this a great walk on a crisp winter day. Start the 2 mile walk at Swyre Head car park and after about 10 mins the views over the Jurassic Coast will start to unfold. Make full use of the benches along the way as the more you look at this outstanding view, the more you will see!

As well as glorious rolling countryside, look out for some landmarks to orientate yourself. To the east is St Aldheim’s Head (spot the tiny white cottages in the far distance) and to the west Clavell Tower overlooks Kimmeridge Bay, dwarfed by the sheer scale of the coastal headlands.

Durlston Country Park

A combination of clear night skies and low levels of light pollution make the Dorset National Landscape one of the best places in the country for stargazing.

Durlston Country Park near Swanage is a Dark Sky Discovery Site and a great place to experience the jaw-dropping solar system, star clusters, galaxies and meteor showers. Look out for stargazing events with Wessex Astronomical Society in January or wrap up warm, grab a flask and watch the sun go down and stars come out yourself.

For daytime wanders, the fantastic free visitor centre, easy parking, surfaced paths, café and Tramper mobility scooter hire make it the perfect place to meet up with friends and family.

'England on Sea' at West Bay

Head to the Esplanade in West Bay for your last chance to see the England-on-Sea outdoor exhibition before it moves on along the coast in January.

‘England-on-Sea’ by photographer Brent Jones is drawn from a nationwide tour of the English coast – a series of road trips to all points of the English coast, made over several years. Living and working from the back of a Ford van, Brent set out to explore the coastal landscape and how we interact with it and to each other.

Lots of cafes in West Bay to warm up in after your Esplanade wander!