Christmas walks North West 2025
We love a family walk at at Christmas time there is nothing better than wrapping up warm and enjoying a festive family trail. There are lots of Christmas walks North West England in 2025. These are Christmas themed family trails across the region. These are usually low cost or free. This post is part of a series of Christmas Events North West guides.
This post won’t cover the light trails across our region. I do love these too. Find all the Christmas light trails North West here.
If you love finding new family days out and events in the North West then you need to follow me on Facebook or Instagram. If you use Facebook you might like to join my Family Days out North West group.
Christmas walks Cheshire
Brereton Heath Nature reserve elf Hunt – details for 2025
When: 13th December 2025 – 4th January 2026
Where: Brereton Heath Local Nature Reserve Visitor Centre, Davenport Lane, Brereton, Congleton, CW12 4SU
Cost: Free
Summary: Can you find them all the elves and collect their names? Pick up a map from near the visitor centre and get searching around the park for the signs.
Full details here – Brereton Heath Local Nature Reserve Elf Hunt
Tegg’s nose country park elf hunt – details for 2025
When: 13th December 2025 – 4th January 2026
Where: The Nose Coffee, Tegg’s Nose Visitor Centre, Tegg’s Nose Country Park, Buxton Old Road, Macclesfield, SK11 0AP
Cost: 50p. Once you’ve completed the trail come back to The Nose Coffee for 50p off your drink order.
Summary: Use the map to find all the elf posters across the site and collect their names.
Full details here – Tegg’s Nose Country Park Elf Hunt
Elmer’s art parade, Macclesfield – 2025 details
When: 21st November 2025 – 9th January 2026
Where: Macclesfield town centre
Using David McKee’s popular children’s character Elmer the Patchwork Elephant, the Parade is Macclesfield’s first-ever public art sculpture trail. The beautifully decorated colourful elephants curated by North West firm Wild In Art, will magically appear across the town centre and form a parade of 12, all waiting for visitors to discover.
This is an exciting trail for visitors of all ages to enjoy in spots such as the Grosvenor Centre, Macclesfield Library, The Silk Museum, Mill Street and 8 other locations.
Full details – Elmer’s art parade
Stick man’s winter adventure trail at Delamere forest
When: Throughout December 2025
This brand-new festive trail invites you to team up with Stick Man and Santa as they deliver the final present. Along the way, enjoy lots of fun wintry activities whilst keeping a lookout for hidden letters to discover who the special gift is for!
Before you set off, be sure to pick up a Christmas trail pack for just £4, which includes everything you need to complete the trail. Inside you’ll find a leaflet, ‘magic’ reveal lens, pencil, festive stickers, and a wooden Stick Man keyring – the perfect keepsake to treasure your adventure.
Full details here – Stick man’s winter adventure trail at Delamere forest
Christmas walks Manchester
Fletcher Moss Christmas trail, Broad oak heart trail – open from 31st December
31st December 2025 – 5th January 2026
Follow the hand-painted hearts around Fletcher Moss using your trail sheet.
Find out more here – Broad oak heart trail
Winter family trail with Speechly the Pineapple, Dunham Massey – Details for 2025
When: 13th November 2025 – 28th February 2026
Embark on a magical winter journey with Speechly the Pineapple as he explores the estate while the house is closed! Follow the frosty trail through ancient woodland and sleeping garden, uncovering clues of the season with surprises along the way. Perfect for young explorers.
Full details – Winter Family Trail with Speechly the Pineapple
Advent trail, John Leigh Park, Altrincham – 2025 details
When: 6th December to the New year.
One again they’ve teamed up with Altrincham Baptist Church and friends of John Leigh Park to give you an Advent Trail full of wonder.
Perfect for all ages this trail is a festive journey to explore and enjoy!
Full details here – Advent trail
Nativity trail, Stamford park with St George’s church, Altrincham – 2025 details
When: 6th December through to the New Year!
Follow the clues on their Nativity Trail, discover the missing word, and return to the café for a small prize!
Full details here – Nativity trail
Santa’s post box, The Hive, Moss Bank Park – book now for 2025
When: 8th November – 7th December 2025
Write your letter to Santa at home, before heading off on a winter walk to Santa’s Post Box at Moss Bank Park following our self-led trail.
Make sure you find Santa’s address on route or your letter won’t make it to Lapland!
Once you’ve posted your letter, don’t forget to collect your warming hot chocolate from our Visitor Village.
Letter packs include envelopes, a Pencil, full instructions and a trail map to help you find Santa’s address and Santa’s Post Box plus a voucher for one hot chocolate from the Visitor Village on your return.
Santa will reply to your letter (we’ve checked!)
The route is pram friendly.
£9.99 per child
Book here – Santa’s Post Box
Christmas walks Lancashire
Winter Xplorer at Brockholes – 2025 details
Where: Brockholes Nature Reserve, Just off Junction 31 of the M6, Preston, Lancashire, PR5 OAG
When: 8th December 2025 – 5th January 2026
Explore Brockholes, find the markers, complete the challenge and have fun together! Brought to you in partnership with British Orienteering, Xplorer is the perfect outdoor activity to get the whole family outside in the fresh air together! There are certificates for those completing the challenge along with a sweet treat!
There are 2 courses available. One is pram-friendly and suitable for young children and the other is more challenging and not suitable for prams.
Each map pack contains – One map, one answer sheet, a Brockholes pencil and full instructions. On completion you will receive the answers, a certificate and a sweet treat!
£5.50 online, £6.50 on the day
Book here – Winter Xplorer at Brockholes
Winter Xplorer at Mere Sands Wood – 2025 details
Where: Mere Sands Nature Reserve, Holmeswood Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L40 1TG
When: 8th December 2025 – 5th January 2026
Explore Mere Sands Wood, find the markers, complete the challenge and have fun together! Brought to you in partnership with British Orienteering, Xplorer is the perfect outdoor activity to get the whole family outside in the fresh air together! There are certificates for those completing the challenge along with a sweet treat!
There are 2 courses available. One is pram-friendly and suitable for young children and the other is more challenging and not suitable for prams.
Each map pack contains – One map, one answer sheet, a pencil and full instructions. On completion you will receive the answers, a certificate and a sweet treat!
£5.50 online, £6.50 on the day
Book here – Winter Xplorer at Mere Sands Wood
Gingerbread trail, Lancaster – details for 2025
When – 23rd November 2025 – 1st January 2025
Can you find all 12 Christmas gingerbread men hidden in windows around the city?
Full details here – Lancaster BID
Santa’s post box, Brockholes – book now for 2025
When: 8th November – 7th Decembe 2025
Write your letter to Santa at home, before heading off on a winter walk to Santa’s Post Box at Brockholes following our self-led trail.
Make sure you find Santa’s address on route or your letter won’t make it to Lapland!
Once you’ve posted your letter, don’t forget to collect your warming hot chocolate from our Visitor Village.
Letter packs include envelopes, a Pencil, full instructions and a trail map to help you find Santa’s address and Santa’s Post Box plus a voucher for one hot chocolate from the Visitor Village on your return.
Santa will reply to your letter (we’ve checked!)
The route is pram friendly.
£9.99 per child
Book here – Santa’s Post Box
Santa’s post box, Mere Sands Wood – book now for 2025
When: 8th November – 7th December 2025
Write your letter to Santa at home before heading off on a winter walk to Santa’s Post Box at Mere Sands Wood following our self-led trail.
Once you’ve posted your letter, don’t forget to collect your warming hot chocolate and cookie from the Visitor Village.
Letter packs include envelopes, a pencil, full instructions and a trail map to help you find Santa’s address and Santa’s Post Box plus a voucher for one hot chocolate from the Visitor Village on your return.
Santa will reply to your letter (we’ve checked!)
The route is pram friendly.
£9.99 per child
Book here – Santa’s Post Box
Stick man’s winter adventure trail at Gisburn forest
When: Throughout December 2025
This brand-new festive trail invites you to team up with Stick Man and Santa as they deliver the final present. Along the way, enjoy lots of fun wintry activities whilst keeping a lookout for hidden letters to discover who the special gift is for!
Before you set off, be sure to pick up a Christmas trail pack for just £4, which includes everything you need to complete the trail. Inside you’ll find a leaflet, ‘magic’ reveal lens, pencil, festive stickers, and a wooden Stick Man keyring – the perfect keepsake to treasure your adventure.
Full details here – Stick man’s winter adventure trail
Christmas walks Liverpool
The city centre is beautifully decorated for Christmas including a free light trail around Royal Albert Docks.
Christmas trail at Liverpool ONE – 2025 details
When: Saturday 15 November – Sunday 4 January
The popular Christmas Trail returns, creating a fun adventure around Liverpool ONE’s decorations and shop windows.
This interactive journey takes families on a magical quest discovering festive characters across the destination, complete with riddles and games for youngsters to enjoy. Perfect for keeping little ones entertained while Christmas shopping.
Full details and more here – Christmas at Liverpool ONE
Christmas story trail at The storybarn – book now for 2025
Where: The Storybarn, Calderstones Park, Liverpool, L18 3JB
When: 29th November to 31st December 2025
Cost: £15 for 1 adult and child, additional children £3, additional adults £1
This festive family trail brings to life the charming book Mr Santa by Jarvis.
This self-led trails around Calderstones Park last around 60 minutes and is perfect for all ages. The trail starts at The Reader Bookshop.
Book here – Christmas Story Trail
12 days of Christmas trail – Southport – details for 2025
When: from 15th November 2025
This year there are crochet displays celebrating the theme of the 12 days of Christmas.
The displays will be in place in windows of town centre businesses from 15 November, with visitors encouraged explore the town centre in search of all twelve trail points. More details on the trail will be announced in the coming weeks.
Details as they are released here – Southport BID Christmas
Christmas walks Cumbria
Stick man’s winter adventure trail at Grizedale and Whinlatter forest
When: Throughout December 2025
This brand-new festive trail invites you to team up with Stick Man and Santa as they deliver the final present. Along the way, enjoy lots of fun wintry activities whilst keeping a lookout for hidden letters to discover who the special gift is for!
Before you set off, be sure to pick up a Christmas trail pack for just £4, which includes everything you need to complete the trail. Inside you’ll find a leaflet, ‘magic’ reveal lens, pencil, festive stickers, and a wooden Stick Man keyring – the perfect keepsake to treasure your adventure.
Full details here – Stick man’s winter adventure trail
Enjoy family walks? Join the Family Walks North West Facebook group to be part of a community sharing the best walks for families across the region. Join here.
More Christmas guides
Find all the free and paid Christmas light trails North West here.
Find out where to go ice skating North West here which includes temporary Christmas rinks and all the permanent rinks across the region.
Find ideas for things to do with kids on New Year’s eve here – New Years Eve events for families North West.
Book a Christmas Shows North West here.
Find more Free Christmas events North West here.
Find more Family walks North West here.
