A love of landscape
“Our great days out this month celebrate walks in an extraordinary variety of landscapes, all curated by the National Trust and the National Trust for Scotland.
Founded to provide access to green space and the outdoors for everyone – but especially those from deprived, often urban communities – the National Trust (NT) owns some 250,000 hectares of land in Britain. Beyond the gardens and stately homes, the Trust manages anywhere from the soft farmland of the south to the rocky coastlines of west Wales to some of the most treasured Lakeland views, and the vast majority of it is free to all to explore. So take a look at some of our favourites and make the most of this most marvellous of country resources. And if there is an NT café in range, so much the better.
Some of our most prized landscapes – including many owned by the NT – are ex-industrial sites that have been recolonised by nature. Our big travel feature this month, takes you to some of the dales of the Peak District, where lead mining was once king. Ed Douglas explores the layers of human and natural history, where wildflowers now grow over the spoil heaps of our ancestors’ labour.
This issue we are grateful to the Landscape Photographer of the Year awards for allowing us to reproduce some of the winning images. We have chosen shots that best illustrate midwinter. A very Happy New Year to you all!
Don’t miss our nature and countryside Plodcast – available on all podcast providers
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THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS
Ed Douglas
“The village of Bonsall captures the specific and deep-rooted appeal of this corner of England, an appeal that rests not just on its stunning landscapes.”
Paul Kirkwood
“The scarcity of trees means the wolds’ big skies are seldom obscured, and you never have to venture far before coming across a village pub.”
Fi Darby
“Whether you love long-distance, ambling around landscaped gardens or something in-between, our National Trusts have a winter walk to suit you.”