A clear winter’s morning is the perfect time to pull on a coat and some sturdy shoes and get outdoors for a nature filled walk. Here’s nine ideas in south London, Kent and Surrey.

The Weardale Walk

5 miles, three hours. Easy.

A circular walk linking the National Trust properties at Chartwell and Emmetts Garden, it is fully waymarked and heads through the woodlands of Toys Hill and Hosey Common as well as the hamlet of French Street. Though the house is closed for winter, Chartwell, the family home of Sir Winston Churchill, is well worth a visit. An Into the Trenches exhibition opens February 21, charting Churchill’s early military career, while his treasured garden is still open to explore from 10am to dusk or 5pm at the latest.

Ham House from Richmond walk

4.5 miles, taking between one and a half and two hours. Moderate difficulty.

This circular walk loops around Ham House, taking in Richmond town centre and highlights such as Richmond Hill, spectacular views from King Henry’s mound, the Royal Star and Garter where Napoleon III and Queen Mary once stayed when it was a hotel, and Petersham Meadows, before walking back from Ham House along the rural riverside.

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Morden Hall Park. Picture: National Trust/ John Millar

Morden Hall Park walk

1.9 miles, taking about an hour. Easy and dog friendly.

Walking through the parkland created by the Hatfeild family, enjoy scenery such an old snuff mill, a stream, an arboretum and 18th century statues.

River Wey: Weybridge to New Haw Lock

5 miles, three hours. Easy and dog friendly.

Following the route of the last commercial barges on the Wey Navigations, which ran until the late 1960s, this riverside walk is only improved by a refreshment stop at The White Hart.

River Wey: New Haw Lock to Pyrford Lock

7 miles, three to four hours. Easy and dog friendly

Covering parts of the Wey Navigation and the Basingstoke Canal, this walk takes you past an old grist mill and West Hall, which belonged to Frederick Cornelius Stoop, whose sons played rugby for England one of whom (Adrian) lent his name to Harlequins’ stadium.

Margery Wood, Walton Heath and Colley Hill walk

3.8 miles, between one and a half and three and a half hours. Moderately difficult and dog friendly

Whether you’re view is of autumn leaves or spring bluebells, Margery Woods is a fine place to walk. This stroll includes magnificent views over Surrey at Colley Hill, the sight of rare Belted Galloway cattle that graze there and a possible trip to The Sportsman pub.

Margery Wood to the Yew Tree pub walk

3.7 miles, an hour and a half. Moderate difficulty and dog friendly.

Build up a thirst on a pub walk which takes in rare flora and fauna, spectacular views of the Surrey Hills, the Inglis Memorial, Reigate Fort, a small stretch of the famous Pilgrim’s Way and a memorial glade where a B-17 bomber crashed in 1945.

Knole three-mile woodland walk or the Knole deer park all-ability walk

3 miles, two hours or 3 miles, one hour. Both easy and dog friendly.

There are two recommended walks around the enclosed, wildlife-filled parkland which contains Kent’s only remaining deer and has remained largely unchanged since medieval times.

For full information about all of these walks, go to nationaltrust.org.uk/walking

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