IN THE COUNTRY | January
Enjoy sea air on the beautfiul Portrush parkrun along East Strand Beach
Every Saturday at 9am across the UK, hordes of people walk, jog or run five kilometres around a 5k course. Parkrun is a free community event – here are 10 of the most beautiful routes.
Dolgellau parkrun, Snowdonia Follow the Mawddach Trail on an old railway line, with views of Snowdonia’s sky-high mountains.
A two-lap route, each an out-and-back loop.
Aviemore parkrun, Cairngorms An undulating course on a spectacular stretch of the Speyside Way through broadleaf woodland, coniferous forest and heather moorland.
Portrush parkrun, Causeway Coast The first beach parkrun in the world takes place on the golden shore of East Strand Beach, over a mix of soft and compacted sand.
Fell Foot parkrun, Lake District Featuring stunning views, this rolling, figure-of-eight loop heads towards Lake Windermere and then on to a wildflower meadow.
Fountains Abbey parkrun, North Yorkshire This sheltered two-lap route wends it way round Half Moon pond and to Studley Royal Water Garden, skirting the River Skell on the way.
Lews Castle parkrun, Isle of Lewis A magnificent island run from Stornaway through the grounds of Lews Castle and around Gallows Hill, followed by coffee at the Woodlands Centre.
Lowestoft parkrun, Suffolk This Tarmac and gravel course follows Lowestoft Promenade past rows of colourful beach huts, offering vast views out over the North Sea.
Mount Edgcumbe parkrun, Cornwall This off-road, hilly course on grass and trail runs through woodland and over Folly Slope, with fine views of Drake’s Island and Plymouth Sound.
Abingdon parkrun, Oxfordshire From Rye Meadow, pass through Abingdon Lock before running parallel with the River Thames on this two-lap route. Look out for kingfishers.
Hamsterley Forest parkrun, County Durham This North Pennines trail route is flat along Bedburn Beck, rising on Windy Bank through beautiful mixed woodland high above the valley.
30 DECEMBER – 2 JANUARY New Year Plant Hunt
The New Year Plant Hunt is an annual event when people – whether absolute beginners or experienced naturalists – across Britain and Ireland head out to see how many wild or naturalised plants (not garden plants) they can find in bloom in their local area at midwinter. This year’s hunt will run from 30
