A MONTH IN THE COUNTRY PLACES TO GO, THINGS TO DO, IDEAS TO TRY
2,500 The number of apple varieties developed in the UK, meaning you could eat a different UK variety every day for more than six years*. Food for thought when you’re wassailing and blessing the fruit trees this January
TRY YOUR HAND AT...
We can’t guarantee there’s a higher chance of keeping them, but you might find it more satisfying to write any New Year’s resolutions in a journal you’ve made yourself. The Wolf Workshop takes you through the process of creating an A5 leather book on a one-day course, teaching you about tools, types of leather and techniques to turn you into an expert bookbinder. Held at Leigh Spinners Mill in Lancashire, each course has a maximum of just two people so you can stretch, shine and stitch in meditative peace, then take your craft away with you to record your thoughts throughout the year to come.
DON ’T MISS
If the festive period conjures up images of a certain snowman “walking in the air”, you won’t want to miss this tribute to his creator, the late, great Raymond Briggs. On 28 January, join an afternoon of talks about him by fellow illustrators John Vernon Lord and Chris Riddell, and browse a display of some of his art, organised by the Lewes Literary Society at Lewes All Saints Centre. Look out for a related event for under-15s held with Lewes Library.
5 OF THE BEST... accessible walks
As part of our Access for All campaign: country trails for those with limited mobility
BUTTERMERE LAKESHORE, CUMBRIA (right) Marvel at views across the lake on this mile-long linear route (lakedistrict.gov.uk).
SUTTON BANK, YORKSHIRE This moderate 5.5-mile circuit uses the Cleveland Way National Trail and includes an accessible loo and refreshment pitstop (nationaltrail.co.uk).
DÔL IDRIS PATH, GWYNEDD This 0.7-mile path winds through the foothills of the Cader Idris mountain (snowdonia.gov.wales).
KNIGHTWOOD OAK, HAMPSHIRE See the ancient “Queen of the Forest” tree on this half-mile meander (newforestnpa.gov.uk).
SILENT VALLEY NATURE TRAIL, COUNTY DOWN This gently undulating 1.1-mile loop follows part of an old railway line as well as the Kilkeel River (walkni.com).
MEET... JANUS
As New Year approaches, the Roman god Janus looks forward to what is to come and back to the year just passed. Represented by a double-faced head, the god of doors and gates oversees this liminal space, transitioning from one period to the next. Julius Caesar introduced 1 January as the first day of the year to honour Janus in 46BC when he brought in the Julian calendar, precursor of the Gregorian calenda
