Eden Project, Cornwall, England

Ok, this one is a bit of a cheat as you’ll be able to whip off the winter woolies as soon as you step inside the giant Biome domes, which transport you into the humid climate of a tropical rainforest, surrounded by the flourishing plant life that thrives in such conditions. Plus, the outdoor gardens look stunning all year round as well.

Eden Project, Cornwall, England, UK by Cayetano

Snowdonia National Park, North Wales

As the name suggests, the peaks of Snowdonia offer a snow-capped winter wonderland for much of the season. While the weather can be hostile at the highest peaks, choose a clear and calm winter day and you will enjoy spectacular views across the park while breathing in the fresh, crisp air. The mountains are dramatic and the scenery is awe-inspiring with walking routes to suit all abilities taking in the mountains, cliffs and coast, while hardy souls will be able to refresh with white water rafting or kayaking in the chilly waters.

Nantlle Valley, Snowdonia National Park, UK by Christopher Owen Jones

Loch Ness, Scotland

The Scottish Highlands offer picturesque winter scenes more consistently than many other other areas of Britain, with a consistently cold and snowy climate throughout winter. It can be unforgiving if you’re not prepared, but if you wrap up warm then you will be rewarded with some of the most inspiring winter landscapes anywhere on earth. Loch Ness is the largest lake in Scotland and one of its most popular and it glistens in winter. Too deep to freeze over, you can still hire boats or enjoy trips on the loch during winter, giving you a unique perspective on the frosty surroundings and historic sights around the banks of the water, or catch it on a frosty morning to see mystical steam rising from the lake.

Loch Ness, Scotland, UK by Lyn Gateley

National Botanic Garden of Wales, Carmarthenshire, Wales

Another attraction where you can escape the cooler climate and enjoy Mediterranean temperatures inside the balmy glasshouse which offers flourishing greenery and flowers in a warm atmosphere throughout the year. The outdoor gardens are perfectly maintained during the winter too and still a beautiful sight, while the glass-like lakes are mesmerising in the freezing temperatures.

National Botanic Garden of Wales, UK by Welsh

The New Forest, Hampshire, England

Walking through the historic New Forest you’ll be following in the footsteps of William I who used the forest as his private hunting ground back in the 11th century. Today you won’t come across many hunters, but you’ll hopefully encounter some tough local residents in the shape of the wild New Forest Ponies, which brave the chilly weather throughout the winter. A host of walks are available to enjoy the forest at its best throughout the winter and you’ll find plenty of pubs complete with log fires and local brews to help you warm up.

New Forest, Hampshire, England, UK by Jim Champion

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Sjaak Kempe

Plateau on which the Hautes Fagnes spreads, is located between the Ardennes and the Eifel highlands. It is a part of the Belgian province of Liège as well as the German Länder of Rhineland – Palatinate and North Rhine – Westphalia. Hautes Fagnes National Park covers an area of ​​4100 hectares and such it is the largest nature reserve in Belgium. It consists mostly of moors, heaths and forests that are home to rare animal and plant species typical for cool and humid climate.

Hautes Fagnes National Park became a haven for lynx, wild cats, common grouse, deer, roe deer, wild boars and other animal species. Typical plant species for this area is yellow daffodil, which was used to dye Easter eggs and therefore collected heavily. To avoid devastation, you can now take only a flower per person.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Sjaak Kempe

At the end of the 20th century started to come tourists not only from Belgium but also from other European countries. For this reason, it was necessary to regulate the movement of people especially in the park. In some areas of Hautes Fagnes National Park were established restricted access, while in some others were even banned at all. Today, the visitors can walk only on marked trails, but there are also some places where it is allowed only with a guide.

Many places are closed to the public during the nesting birds, ie from March to late July. Yet even today tourists flooded the park annually. In the summer, come nature lovers, and in winter cross-country skiers. Most visitors come from Belgium, of course, but others come from adjacent areas of the Netherlands and Germany.

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