Dreaming of a white Christmas? Whether it’s a light dusting or a full-on blizzard, snow in December is sure to help you get into the festive spirit, especially when enjoying a snowy winter walk.
However, when it comes to the big day itself, many of us don’t hold our breath. White Christmases seem to be getting rarer and rarer, with snow tending to fall at the start of the year instead (Met Office).
That being said, some areas in the UK have seen more snowy Christmases than others. Whether you want to plan a last-minute festive trip to increase your chance of experiencing a white Christmas, or you just want to find out whether you’re one of the lucky ones living in a snowy area, Charles Clinkard are here to share their research highlighting the five areas with the highest chance of getting snow this Christmas, and give some inspiration for a white Christmas Day walk.
The 5 UK areas with the highest chance of getting a white Christmas
So, where are we most likely to get snow this festive season? We’ve analysed data from the Met Office going back 60 years to identify the five areas of the UK with the highest chance of getting a white Christmas in 2024:
5 – North East and East England: This part of the country has had a white Christmas 22 times over the last 60 years, with the most recent white Christmas being in 2015.
4 – Midlands: Narrowly beating North East and East England, the Midlands has seen 23 snowy Christmas days over the last 60 years. The most recent white Christmas in the region was in 2017.
3 – Western Scotland: Coming in third, and the first Scottish entry on the list, is Western Scotland, which has had 26 snowy Christmas days over the last 60 years. The region last saw snow on Christmas Day in 2017.
2 – Eastern Scotland: Home to the Scottish capital and also the second-top area with the chance of snow this Christmas, Eastern Scotland has had 30 white Christmases over the past 60 years, the most recent being in 2022.
1 – Northern Scotland: With a whopping 35 white Christmases, the most recent being in 2022, Northern Scotland tops the list as the most likely to get a snowy Christmas day.
We also looked at each of the four nation’s capitals to see which has had the most snowy Christmases. Unsurprisingly Edinburgh came top, with 12 white Christmases over the last 60 years. However, Belfast is not far behind with 11. Coming in third is London with 6 snowy Christmas days in the last 60 years, followed by Cardiff with just 4.
The best parks for snowy festive walks
If you live in one of these snow-prone areas, or you plan on spending Christmas nearby, what better way to enjoy the day than with a snowy festive walk? To give you some inspiration, we’ve looked at the parks in these 5 snowiest areas that are open on Christmas Day and handpicked one for each to help you enjoy the outdoors this festive season.
North East and East England – Saltwell Park, Gateshead
The East and North East of England is full of fantastic walking spots, but one of the parks most beloved by locals is Saltwell Park in Gateshead. The Victorian-style park was renovated in the early 2000s and has since gone on to become one of the most popular in the area. Not only that but the park has been voted as one of the 10 most popular parks in the whole of the UK (Gateshead Council).
It’s easy to see why this park is so beloved by locals. There are play areas for little ones to enjoy, stunning Victorian-style architecture for history enthusiasts, a lake, beautiful ornamental gardens, artistic sculptures, and even a dog park for taking your pooches on a festive adventure. The park is 55 acres in total, with a selection of walking and jogging routes to explore.
Christmas opening times: Saltwell Park is open from dawn til dusk every day, including Christmas.
Walk lengths: There are a variety of short and sweet trails to explore in the park. The longest trail, a loop of the whole park, is 1.6 miles.
Accessibility: Saltwell Park is an accessible park, with step-free access and a variety of paths suitable for pushchairs, wheelchair users, and mobility scooters. There are some less accessible parts of the park, such as the dene.
Parking: Saltwell Park has free onsite parking, with disabled parking bays and a capacity for 80 cars.
Midlands – Wollaton Hall and Deer Park, Nottingham
If you want to be surrounded by wildlife this Christmas, Wollaton Hall and Deer Park in Nottingham is the place for you. While the hall is closed on Christmas Day, the beautiful grounds are open to the public year-round and are the perfect place to spot various animals. The park is famous for being home to wild deer, with over 90 red and 120 fallow deer on the grounds (Visit Nottinghamshire). Although they can be a little trickier to spot this time of year, there is still a chance you may catch a glimpse of one — hopefully frolicking in the snow! The area is also a great location for birdwatchers, with a bird hide where you can spot anything from peregrines and grey herons to ducks and waders.
Wollaton is home to a whopping 500 acres of parkland, so you won’t be short of areas to explore. Other things to see in the park include the lake and various play areas. You can also get a view of Camellia House, which is one of the oldest cast-iron-framed glass houses in Europe.
Christmas opening times: Public access to the grounds is available from 9am on Christmas Day, although the Hall and other facilities will be closed.
Walk lengths: There are a variety of trails to explore, including shorter routes of less than a mile to longer routes of 2.5 miles or more.
Accessibility: There are a variety of pushchair, mobility scooter, and wheelchair-accessible pathways throughout the deer park. There is also a ramped entrance to Wollaton Hall, although bear in mind that this is closed on Christmas Day.
Parking: Entrance to the grounds is free, onsite parking is available for £5 all day or £3 for up to 2 hours.
Western Scotland – Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park
Scotland’s first National Park and one of the largest national parks in Britain, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs is a fantastic place to enjoy a snowy Christmas walk. The park is huge, spanning 720 sq miles. And with half of the Scottish population living within an hour’s drive away, it is sure to be a popular spot for festive walks this Christmas (Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park).
There are routes available which cater to all levels of walkers, from those looking for a pre-Christmas dinner stroll to more strenuous hikes for those looking to have an active Christmas Day. There are even cycling routes if you prefer to get around on two wheels! If you’re a wildlife enthusiast, there is plenty for you to enjoy in the park too, from red squirrels and deer to the lochs which are home to a variety of waterbirds.
Christmas opening times: The national park is open all day on Christmas Day, although many facilities such as visitor centres and cafes will be closed.
Walk lengths: The great thing about the Trossachs is that there are so many different ways to explore, with most walking routes ranging from 1 mile to 10 miles long. Check out the national park’s website for a list of short to moderate routes and longer walks.
Accessibility: There are several different wheelchair, pushchair, and mobility scooter-accessible trails to explore, however, there are some areas of the park which aren’t accessible.
Parking: There are various free car parks with easy access to the park.
Eastern Scotland – Holyrood Park, Edinburgh
There is no city more beautiful than Edinburgh in the snow, and if we get a white Christmas, Holyrood Park is the perfect viewing point. The park is where you’ll find the world-famous Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano which is now a popular tourist spot that provides 360 views of the city and beyond. The park is also home to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, a royal residence since the 16th century.
It isn’t just amazing city views to enjoy in the park. There are 640 acres to explore with various landmarks, including the ruins of Saint Anthony’s Chapel, Salisbury Crags, and Duddingston Loch, the only natural freshwater loch in Edinburgh.
Christmas opening times: Holyrood Park is open all day on Christmas Day.
Walk lengths: There are several different routes to explore, with most ranging from around 1.5 to 3 miles. Due to the difficult terrain and steep climbs in parts, most routes are moderate/hard.
Accessibility: There are some pushchair, mobility scooter, and wheelchair-accessible paths in the park, but there is challenging terrain in some areas. For better accessibility, opt for routes near the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Parking: Paid parking is available at several nearby locations, including Broad Pavement, St Margaret’s Loch, and Duddingston Loch car parks.
Northern Scotland – Duthie Park, Aberdeen
If you’re looking to enjoy a quiet and relaxed stroll on Christmas Day, Duthie Park is the place to go. This park is beloved by Aberdeen locals, offering a peaceful escape and a variety of beautiful scenery. You can enjoy a relaxing walk along the River Dee, which borders the park, or explore the park’s 44 acres of open space and winding pathways. If you have little ones, make sure to take some seeds to feed the ducks on the river, too.
If you can’t make it to the park on Christmas itself, Duthie Park is still well worth a visit. While not open on Christmas Day, throughout the rest of the festive season you can enjoy the Winter Gardens. One of the largest indoor gardens in Europe, it is home to a huge selection of tropical plants and flowers, perfect for brightening up a chilly winter’s day.
Christmas opening times: Duthie Park is open every day, including Christmas Day, from 8am until an hour before dusk.
Walk lengths: There are a few different routes to try in the park, all around a mile or less.
Accessibility: There are many accessible paths in the park, as well as pay toilets which are open all day, every day.
Parking: There is onsite parking which is free for 2 hours but it is limited. Alternative parking is available nearby, including to the west of the Park beside Allenvale Cemetery and Allenvale Road. You can also park on Riverside Drive which is towards the town centre.
Rachel Clinkard, Ecommerce Director at Charles Clinkard comments:
“Many of us are dreaming of a white Christmas this year. But whether we get snow or not, Christmas Day is a great time to get out for a walk and spend some quality time with loved ones.
“If you do choose to enjoy a winter walk, make sure to wear a sturdy pair of walking boots for comfort and support. Choose footwear with good grip to navigate icy paths and uneven terrain. Don’t forget to opt for a thick and insulating pair of socks too, as well as a hat, scarf, gloves, and a warm waterproof jacket to stay comfortable in unpredictable weather.
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