Surrey

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If you&#8217;re looking for a family day out that involves fresh air, festive nostalgia and fun activities for children, the National Trust has nailed it with their Walking With The Snowman trail at Winkworth Arboretum. 



Based on the heart-warming picture book by Raymond Briggs, the wintery trail is the perfect length for little legs &#8211; an easy ramble of about 1km &#8211; and there&#8217;s plenty along the way to keep them entertained. 



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I met up with friends and their three young daughters for a Sunday afternoon stroll at the Arboretum, to be followed later by a hearty pub lunch. Armed with a trail map, the girls were set the task of finding the 12 giant snowman sculptures &#8211; each of which has been beautifully decorated based on the song The 12 Days of Christmas. 



First up is The Partridge in a Pear Tree and along the way there are the Turtle Doves, French Hens, Geese a Laying, Swans a Swimming and Maids a Milking. Keep your eyes peeled for the Pipers Piping and the Drummers Drumming.



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Our little charges were aged 7 and 9 &#8211; and both were thoroughly immersed and involved in completing the trail. Their older sister, at almost 13, was a little less enthusiastic, but still joined in and had fun.



There are family games to play along the way &#8211; games like skittles, bean-bag tossing and duck hooking, while story boards along the trail tell the classic story. 



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The natural play area is en route &#8211; a good place to stop off and explore &#8211; with a rope tunnel, climbing forts, mini climbing wall and fireman&#8217;s pole. There&#8217;s seating here, too, for parents or grandparents who may have weary legs.



Winkworth Arboretum is beautiful all year round &#8211; each season offering up it&#8217;s own pretty display. In the early winter it&#8217;s all about the leaves &#8211; some trees are still laden with them in hues of yellow, brown and red, while underfoot is a carpet of those that have already fallen. 



If you&#8217;re feeling energetic, take a detour off the main Walking with The Snowman route, to the Boat House for gorgeous views across the lake and a selfie with the Snowman. Although it&#8217;s worth noting that access is via steep paths with steps so perhaps leave this bit out if little legs are flagging. 



And to finish? It&#8217;s hot chocolates all round and a whirl on the magically lit-up carousel, of course. 



Tempted? Here&#8217;s how to book&#8230;



The Walking with the Snowman trail is free with entry. Carousel rides are £3 per child. The pathways on the Snowman trail are mostly flat, but winter boots are recommended. See <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/surrey/winkworth-arboretum/events/b6471750-eceb-4655-a953-0cdf5cee40fe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">this page</a> for full details of opening times and entry prices.

Take a walk with The Snowman at Winkworth Arboretum

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