Explore the great outdoors this Christmas holidays with festive walks around the estate to re-invigorate after the stresses and over-indulgence of Christmas!

“The time between Christmas and New Year is the perfect opportunity for families to put on their warm clothes and head outdoors to try and walk off the festive excesses,” comments marketing manager, Rachel Underwood. “We want to encourage people to discover the Howardian Hills, with lots of restoration and conservation work having taken place on the walls and monuments, there hasn’t been a better time to explore this unique part of North Yorkshire.”

Whilst the house closes on Friday 23 December, the gardens are open daily for those wanting to stretch their legs, or park up and discover the wider estate on a longer walk. The stable courtyard offers hot drinks and treats for those in need of refreshment at the start or the end of a walk, with toilet facilities also available free.

The most popular walk is a five-mile circular route that starts and ends at the car park, incorporating scenic views of the house and many of its key landmarks – including the, Temple of the Four Winds and the Mausoleum. The route also includes a walk along the Avenue where visitors can get a sneak preview of the latest restoration work – two decorative ponds which flank the Avenue, due for completion in early 2017.

Discover the Howardian Hills, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.