Enjoy England in the snow

Enjoy England in the snow

With the weather predicted to turn for most of the country this week, you needn’t stay indoors… There are plenty of ways to enjoy England in the snow.

We’ve teamed up with VisitEngland to bring you the best places to make the most of the weather, from husky sledging in the Cotswolds to snowboarding in the Pennies.

Snow Storm Watching spots

With snow set to hit the north  first, you can take in the snow storms in Northumberland. Above the old lime kilns by the harbour in the popular coastal resort Seahouses is The Bamburgh Castle Inn. Occupying arguably the best seaside location on the stunning north east coast, the inn offers great food with lots of local flavours, real ales, wraparound views, open fires and good value accommodation. Bamburgh Inn offers special winter break rates until March for just £44.50 per person, per night, including dinner, bed and breakfast.

Situated in a beautiful Cornish fishing village, the seafront location of the cosy Lugger Hotel is perfect for storm watching this winter. The package costing £318 for two includes, macs, brollies and wellies for watching dark skies and dramatic waves crashing on the beach followed by a hot toddy and buttered crumpets in front of the open fire back at the hotel.

Skiing and snowboarding

The Another World Snowboarding and Ski Centre (pictured) in Yorkshire is an outdoor attraction offering skiing on slopes at an altitude of 1150 feet. There are two miles of cross-country track, with a mixture of gradients available for beginners and intermediates, while experts can enjoy telemarking and snowboarding though the trees and snow frosted terrain of the south Pennines.

At the opposite end of the mountains, you’ll find Yad Moss ski tow. Offering the longest and fastest ski tow in England, skiers descend down the well-groomed pistes and can enjoy incredible views of the powdered Pennines. Tickets cost just £20.

Located on the edge of the old lead mining village, Ski-Allenheads in Northumberland provides facilities provided by the British Norwegian Ski Club and has developed over the past 40 years. With three slopes, two of which are suitable for beginners, this will make for the perfect family skiing vacation, where you can learn at your own pace, away from the crowds of experienced adrenaline junkies.

For non-skiers, there’s plenty of tobogganing fun in Kent. Chatham’s Ski Slope and Snowboarding Centre offers 700 meters of tree-lined track and the longest run in the UK. Speed is adjustable using the brake handle.

Into the Wild

Why travel to Lapland or Alaska to experience a husky ride when you can do it on the banks to the River Avon. Here, Arctic Quest offers dog sled rides, but not the traditional ‘sit back and enjoy the scenery’ sense. Instead, you’ll get fully involved with the pack, learn all about these amazing animals and learn to take charge of the racing rig. The company also offers Sami Tipis and Herder’s Huts, complete with campfires, hides, furs and beds for those wanting to prolong the adventure with an overnight stay.

For more experienced riders, Wyedean Mushing, set in the Forest of Dean, offers racing opportunities. If riding and racing sounds a little extreme, try woodland walking with wolves. Join Predator Experience’s Timber Wolf hybrid pack on a Cumbrian trek through their ancestral Lakeland, Humphrey Head, where the last wild wolf in England was spotted back in the 14th century. Become part of the pack and learn about the subtle art of canine communication. A good level of fitness is required and the experience costs £85 per person.

Après Snow

For non-skiers and snowboarders there’s plenty of wintery fun to be had in London. The Ice Bar in Mayfair takes a slice straight out of the Nordics and places it in Martini glasses and Whisky tumblers beneath London’s Regent Street. Featuring a glacier bar that serves drinks in a room at minus 5 degree degrees, with dry ice smoke setting the mood, you’ll feel like you’re chilling with Bond in the ice palace. Tickets for the underground bar are for 40 minute sessions and include thermal gloves and capes to keep you in comfort despite freezing conditions.

For winter sustenance, head for The Holt Pub in Honiton, Devon. Here you’ll find everything from smoke infused rhubarb liqueurs and chilli vodkas to the regular smoked delicacies and not-so-regular smoky ice-cream and pudding.

The burgeoning trend for pop-up, city-centre ski lodges looks set to continue this winter. Hotspots will include the Polar Bar in Liverpool, The North Pole and The Ski Club in Manchester and the Christmas ski lodge at The Montague Hotel in London.

Winter Wonderlands

Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland opened this weekend. Held annually, this firm family favourite makes its 2013 return with big shows a popular Christmas market.

Chester will be hosting a Winter Wonderland this year. It will have its own traditional Christmas market and ice rink as well as fairground rides and amusements.

Other festivities celebrating the weather include Brighton’s Royal Pavilion, which invites visitors to get Chilled to the Bone with an exhibition of Ice Age Sussex.

See www.visitengland.com