Kingdom

This 800-year-old village is a must-see in the New Year.

Portugal boasts numerous attractions that draw visitors from across the globe. Lisbon and Porto remain incredibly sought-after destinations, with travellers flocking to wander their charming cobbled lanes and savour exceptional cuisine.

Yet venture beyond these hotspots and you’ll discover a corner of Portugal that remains largely unexplored.

This settlement represents a true hidden treasure, though those who’ve discovered it regard it as amongst the nation’s finest spots to visit.

Indeed, Castelo Novo in Portugal received international acclaim from the United Nations’ World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

The UNWTO assesses settlements using rigorous standards, covering environmental responsibility, prospects for locals, safety measures, plus preservation of cultural and natural heritage.

And Castelo Novo in Portugal secured recognition amongst the globe’s top tourism villages, reports the Express.

This historic community, founded eight hundred years ago, contains one of the area’s most important archaeological locations. The Roman Baths of Quinta do Ervedal represent the main attraction drawing travellers to Castelo Novo.

UNWTO observed: “The oldest mention of Castelo Novo, then called Alpreada, dates back to around 1202 AD. To protect his kingdom against any potential threats, King Dinis rebuilt the village castle adopting typical Gothic features and commissioned several Medieval-style buildings.”

The settlement has also earned praise for its groundbreaking environmental initiatives, becoming Portugal’s first location to reach total carbon neutrality. Castelo Novo offers five electric vehicles to ferry visitors from nearby train stations.

One traveller who visited the village shared: “A secret kingdom. Located in the heart of the Beira Baixa Region, once the capital of Portugal, it is a picturesque stone village that looks out onto the Garduna mountains. It has a terrific visitor centre.”

Another holidaymaker noted: “The castle on top of the hill is a gem. Once at the top the view of the surrounding area is superb even on a grey day.”

Visitors can also learn about the traditional grape-treading methods used by former residents and admire the historic manor houses in the settlement.

Those touring the area can follow the Miller’s Way to see the windmills that were once a crucial part of village life.

The journey to Castelo Novo from Lisbon takes roughly three-and-a-half hours by train or two-and-a-half by car. The village is also conveniently located near Coimbra, a charming riverside city in Portugal with a medieval Old Town.

The drive is just under two hours, making Castelo Novo an easy day trip from the city.

Cheshire’s mini Matterhorn

Who needs the Swiss Alps when you have Macclesfield Forest on your doorstep? Walking from Trentabank car park, the 506-metre peak of Shutlingsloe is the gift that keeps on giving. The panoramic views from its summit, dubbed Cheshire’s mini Matterhorn, are breathtaking at any time of year. But it’s on the crispest of winter days you get the best views: the Staffordshire Roaches, Manchester’s skyline, the Cheshire Plain, the wonder that is Jodrell Bank, and even as far as the Great Orme in Llandudno. Head back to Trentabank where there is a food truck selling local specialities, including Staffordshire oatcakes.
Jeremy Barnett

Trip the light fantastic on Norfolk’s coast

No matter how many people you see on arrival at Holkham nature reserve, the vast beach, marshes and miles of pinewoods disperse them. Southerly winds here can bring balmy winter days but winds off the North Sea are quite brutal. The light is fantastic and the variety of walking routes huge, with a boardwalk and visitor centre enriching the experience. This north-facing coastline is a magnet for exhausted migrant birds making landfall, and the pinewoods offer welcome shelter in bitter conditions. Bird hides along the woods’ southern edge look over marshland – fantastic for winter wildfowl spectacles and birds of prey.
Jo Sinclair

Blow away the cobwebs on a Derry cliff walk

It’s officially called the Portstewart Cliff Walk but people call it the Nuns’ Walk because it snakes around the perimeter of the Dominican college. The walk starts overlooking Portstewart Strand and finishes in the town centre. It’s exposed to the Atlantic, so it’s always gusty and perfect for clearing the head after working too hard or overindulging. The sunsets here are to be savoured, so try to time it for dusk, and a post-walk pint by the fire in the Anchor Bar feels heavenly.
Ciaran

A perfect hike for a frosty day in the Chilterns

If it’s frosty, this is a cracker. From the Chilterns village of Ewelme (the famous watercress beds can wait) head east uphill through fields and beech woodland to Ewelme park, turn left and skirt Swyncombe House, which has excellent views of the Vale of Oxford, keeping north and right of the church as you go up. Cross the only main road, down and up into more classic Chilterns woodland complete with deer, pheasant and dappled sunlight before descending gently through ancient earthworks back to Ewelme as the sun sets. It’s 5 miles, 2.5 hours, and there’s no pub – but you won’t care because the countryside is perfect.
Rik Hallewell

A North Yorkshire amble for a foggy morning

Skipton Moor is wonderfully quiet despite having spectacular views, perhaps because it’s just outside the Yorkshire Dales national park. Only a mile up the hill from the edge of town, its high points offers panoramic views of Airedale and Pendle, and it is home to hares and curlew. Sparkling frost outlines all the spider webs in the gorse bushes. Go on a cold, foggy morning after a clear, calm night and you may well find yourself emerging from the misty woods above a sea of clouds.
Hannah Price

Follow the Skyline loop around Bath

Just outside Bath is the Skyline walk, a continuous 6-mile loop of the rolling hills surrounding the city. Mists rising over sandstone rooftops is a spectacular sight on a frosty morning. En route are panoramic views, ancient woodland, a sham castle, a cemetery clinging to the hills and the National Trust’s Prior Park, a magical 18th-century landscape garden designed for Ralph Allen, a key moderniser of the nationwide postal service. At the end, descend the footpath into Bath where you can cosy up by a pub fire – I recommend the Pig and Fiddle or The Crystal Palace.
Susanna

A short Lake District hike

Sale Fell near Cockermouth is my favourite short winter walk. Its grassy hillside feels safe to walk even when frosty. Climbed easily from St Margaret’s church, it offers amazing views over Bassenthwaite Lake towards Skiddaw. I love the descent via the quiet path through the woods towards the Wythop valley, passing the ruins of an old church where deer can be spotted. Finish the walk with a pint in the lovely Pheasant Inn or coffee and cake in the award-winning Bassenthwaite Lake Station cafe, both at the bottom of the fell.
Arthur

Black Mountains beauty

My favourite winter walk is in the Black Mountains of south-east Wales, in the Bannau Brycheiniog (formerly Brecon Beacons) national park. Park at Capel y ffin and follow the path along the valley of the Nant Bwch, with its waterfalls and steep-sided valley. Up to Rhiw y fan for spectacular views into Wales, returning along the Rhos Dirion ridge above the beautiful Vale of Eywas via a stone called the Blacksmith’s Anvil back to the start. Stop for an atmospheric pint in the cellar bar at Llanthony Priory.
Martin

Beaches, castles and pubs in Northumberland

A coastal stroll with a cosy pub that brews its own beer … Is there anything better? Starting at Embleton, head down the hill to the beach. Turn north, away from the cracking view of Dunstanburgh castle, and walk along the beach for about an hour to Low Newton, a National Trust-preserved square of fisher’s cottages and the Ship Inn, a dog-friendly, cosy pub with a strong food offering. Return either via the beach or head to the dunes and the coastal path. Recover from the walk up the hill into Embleton with a pint at the Greys Inn, a proper pub with decent real ale. Bliss.
Hannah

Winning tip: a Cut above west of Glasgow

Greenock Cut is near Glasgow yet transports you far away. It starts in mundane fashion, a walk through the edge of a town. But within a few minutes it opens out into majestic views across the River Clyde to the hills in Argyll and continues to wow for miles. The Cut’s visitor centre and cafe offer a warming break and good-quality paths keep it passable even on wet or icy days. Walkers can continue onwards along the hill to return via the spectacular Wemyss Bay railway station (11 miles), or loop back on a shorter route passing the calm Loch Thom (8 miles). Both are stunning. Nic

Christmas Day

Felixstowe, Suffolk
A proper community affair, with hundreds of participants resplendent in festive finery racing into the North Sea at 10am sharp while much of the town gathers along the promenade to watch. The event raises funds for St Elizabeth Hospice, and every year brings new tales of heroics and even romance (there’s been the odd mid-plunge proposal). The atmosphere is as heartwarming as the water is not. Afterwards warm up with a stroll around town, with its four-mile promenade and seafront gardens.
10am, £16, stelizabethhospice.org.uk

Penarth and Porthcawl

The Dawnstalkers meet daily to greet the sunrise with a swim beside Penarth pier, three miles south of Cardiff city centre – and Christmas morning is no exception. Anyone can join this inclusive sea-swimming collective. A wood-fired barrel sauna will be parked on the prom from 21–29 December, offering a toasty post-dip reward. The Christmas swim at Porthcawl (25 miles west along the coast) began in 1965, when local swimming legend Arlon Owens, dressed as a clown, was pushed off the pier by another dipper dressed as Father Christmas. More than a thousand swimmers – many still in fancy dress – take the plunge, raising thousands for local charities.
Penarth: 8am, free, dawnstalkers.com. Porthcawl: 11.15am (enter water at 11.45am), suggested donation £10, christmasswim.org

Peter Pan Cup, the Serpentine, Hyde Park, London

One of the UK’s oldest festive swims, the Serpentine Swimming Club’s Christmas Day race has been held in Hyde Park every Christmas morning since 1864. The event was later named for JM Barrie, who donated the first trophy in 1904. This short but speedy 100-yard race is open only to members, but spectators are encouraged to gather along the lakeside to cheer on the swimmers.
9am, serpentineswimmingclub.com

Weymouth, Dorset

Started in 1948, when pub landlord Dill Laker and taxi driver Reggie Bugler made a boozy bet to swim the harbour after Christmas Eve drinks, Weymouth has grown into one of the UK’s biggest and best-loved festive plunges. Hundreds of swimmers splash 70 metres across the harbour, cheered on by thousands of spectators, raising funds for a local disability charity. The harbour itself is pretty, but make time to stroll the huge sandy beach too, backed by colourful beach huts.
From 9.30am, £15, love-weymouth.co.uk

Hunstanton, Norfolk
One of Norfolk’s largest festive events, the swim has been running for more than 60 years. Taking place just off the town’s central promenade, it’s organised by the Hunstanton and District Round Table and supports local charities. Lots of prizes and free hot soup to warm up after.
11am (register from 10am), free, hunstantonroundtable.com

Bude, Cornwall

This legendary swim has been organised by the Bude Surf Life Saving Club at Crooklets beach for over half a century. Thousands gather to watch as swimmers – many in Santa suits – dash into the Atlantic for a short but spirited dip. It’s all for a good cause, raising funds for the life-saving club that keeps the local beaches safe year-round.
10.45am, free (donations welcome), visitbude.info

Boxing Day

Folkestone, Kent
This event brings hundreds of swimmers to Sunny Sands, cheered on by a boisterous crowd. Organised by the Folkestone, Hythe & District Lions Club, it raises funds for the Lions and other local charities. There are prizes for fancy dress and the youngest and oldest dippers.
11.30am (register from 9.30am), £10, free with sponsorship, folkestonelions.org.uk

Seaton Carew, County Durham
The North Sea isn’t exactly a welcoming proposition for a swimmer at this time of year, but that doesn’t deter hundreds from joining Hartlepool Round Table’s Boxing Day Dip. A parade sets off from the Marine Hotel on the seafront at Seaton Crew, just outside Hartlepool, before the plunge. Bacon butties and beer are available back at base afterwards.
11.30am, £5, hartlepoolroundtable.co.uk

Paignton, Devon

A Boxing Day classic, with hundreds of swimmers, many in fancy dress, gathering on Paignton Sands for the local Lions Club’s Walk into the Sea. There’s a fancy-dress competition at 11.45am before the mass dip at noon. A great way to shake off Christmas Day indulgence in this lively English Riviera town.
12pm, £10, englishriviera.co.uk

St Ives, Cornwall

Blow away the Christmas Day cobwebs with this relaxed dip on golden Porthminster beach. Wetsuits are allowed, fancy dress is encouraged and even dogs can join in. Porthminster Café keeps post-swim spirits high with hot chocolates and bacon butties. St Ives is particularly pretty in winter and the narrow cobbled streets make for pleasant festive wandering.
12pm, free, £1 donation suggested, no website

Ventnor, Isle of Wight
Once a smugglers’ haunt, Ventnor Bay now welcomes hundreds of swimmers dressed in pyjamas, tutus and rubber rings for this swim on the Esplanade. The event raises funds for local cancer charities and for Ventnor Carnival. Post swim, mulled wine and doorstop sandwiches await brave bathers at the Spyglass Inn.
12pm, free, donation suggested, on Facebook

Fraserburgh Harbour, Aberdeenshire
Few causes are closer to sea swimmers’ hearts than the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Association). The 17th annual 52-metre harbour swim will raise funds for Fraserburgh lifeboat station, with participants diving in from the side of a lifeboat and swimming across the icy water, cheered on by the whole town.
1pm, free, donation suggested, rnli.org

New Year’s Day

Salford Quays, Manchester

No seaside? No problem. Manchester swimmers can head to Dock 9 at MediaCity, a 2002 Commonwealth Games venue that hosts a New Year’s dip in 7C waters. This “big, bold and mighty cold” event, run by Uswim, raises lots of cash for local charities. With the Lowry theatre as a backdrop, three waves of swimmers enter the water at 15-minute intervals. A best-dressed hat competition adds to the fun.
11am, £25, uswimopenwater.com

Keswick, Lake District
Cumbria’s hardiest wild swimmers take to Derwentwater in fancy dress to raise funds for the Calvert Trust, which helps people with disabilities experience the outdoors. Afterwards there will be lakeside hot chocolate and cake.
11am, free, £5 donation suggested, calvertlakes.org.uk

Bangor, County Down
Swimmers plunge into Bangor’s Ballyholme Bay in fancy dress to raise funds for Cancer Focus Northern Ireland. There are prizes to be won, hot drinks and proper facilities – but no guarantee of feeling your toes afterwards. Ballyholme Yacht Club also organises a Boxing Day swim in aid of the RNLI (£5 entry) if you fancy a double whammy.
12pm, £15, cancerfocusni.org

Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire
This is one of the UK’s larger New Year’s Day swims – there were 2,535 registrations on 1 January 2025. It turns 40 in 2026, with a ruby theme promising a sea of vermilion-clad dippers and plenty of sparkle in the sea.
12.30pm, £5 (£3 under-16s), saundersfootnyds.co.uk

Lyme Regis, Dorset

The Rotary Club’s Lyme Lunge fills sandy Cobb beach with wigs, wings and inflatable flamingos. Fancy dress is encouraged, fundraising optional, desire to run like a loon into the sea obligatory (though just a quick paddle will suffice). Thousands of spectators flock to the beach and gardens above it to watch the mayhem.
1pm, free, donations welcome

Loony Dook, nr Edinburgh
What began as a “hangover cure” for a few friends in 1986 is now a beloved slice of post-Hogmanay madness. The Loony Dook (dook is Scots for dip) sees hundreds of dressed-up swimmers parade through South Queensferry before plunging into the Firth of Forth.
1.30pm, free