From Orkney’s elemental coastlines to Cornwall’s Atlantic cliffs, the Lake District’s winter fells and the Cotswolds’ frost-lined villages, winter offers a quieter, more immersive way to explore the UK – revealing iconic landscapes at their most atmospheric.
Fewer people, softer seasonal light, and itineraries adapted to the season, visiting the UK in the winter months offers a deeper connection to place. (Wilderness Scotland)
Aviemore, Scotland. January 19, 2026 – Winter in the UK is often overlooked as a time for outdoor fun, yet for those willing to embrace the season, it offers something increasingly rare: space, stillness, and a deeper connection to place. This February and March, award-winning brands Wilderness Scotland and Wilderness England invite travelers to experience the UK away from peak season with a collection of inviting and accessible guided walking holidays and wellbeing retreats.
With fewer visitors on the trails, softer seasonal light, and itineraries carefully adapted to winter conditions (all trips are also ‘green graded’ with activity levels rated easy to moderate), all no more than five days in length, these off-season journeys transform familiar landscapes into deeply atmospheric experiences – balancing invigorating days outdoors with expert guides who bring each place to life with time spent in cozy pubs and snug cafés, enjoying fireside chats and leisurely breakfasts overlooking frost-kissed landscapes. For those with New Year’s resolutions to get outside and explore, these offer the perfect solution!
Winter makes Orkney feel more powerful and elemental. (Wilderness Scotland)
In winter, Orkney feels elemental and quietly powerful. Atlantic winds shape sweeping seascapes, ancient stone circles stand stark against wide skies, and island life unfolds at an unhurried rhythm. This five-day guided walking holiday explores the islands’ dramatic coastlines, archaeological heritage, and island communities at a relaxed pace.
Daily walks trace clifftop paths and shoreline routes, with time to explore Neolithic and Viking-era sites and engage with Orkney’s rich cultural history. Evenings are spent warming up in comfortable accommodation, enjoying hearty meals and reflecting on days shaped by land, sea, and sky.
- Guided coastal walks along cliffs, sea stacks and expansive shorelines
- Exploration of Neolithic and Viking archaeological sites, including UNESCO-listed landmarks
- Insight into island life, folklore, and history led by expert local guides
- Dramatic winter light and far fewer visitors than summer months
- Comfortable accommodation and hearty, warming meals included
- A slower, more immersive way to experience Scotland’s northern isles
Trip details
- Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
- Priced from US$2,246 per person
- Available departures: February 13–17, February 20–24, February 27–March 3, March 6–10, March 13–17, March 20–24 and March 27–31, 2026
With a mobile sauna nearby, take a plunge into a nearby Highland loch. (Wilderness Scotland)
Wilderness Retreat – Winter Highlands
Designed for restoration as much as exploration, this women-only winter wilderness retreat unfolds amid the quiet beauty of the Scottish Highlands. Based in a welcoming Highland lodge, the five-day experience blends gentle winter walks with wellbeing practices, offering space to slow down, reconnect and reset.
Guided walks through forest trails and Highland glens are complemented by daily sessions focused on mindfulness, yoga, and nature connection. Optional cold-water immersion (coupled with a mobile sauna!) offers an invigorating way to fully embrace the season, while nourishing meals and cozy evenings support reflection and renewal.
Trip highlights
- Gentle winter walks through forests, glens, and Highland landscapes
- Daily wellbeing sessions including yoga, mindfulness, and nature connection
- Optional cold-water immersion experiences
- Nourishing, seasonal meals prepared with care
- Cozy lodge accommodation designed for comfort and relaxation
- A women-only retreat focused on balance, reflection and renewal
Trip details
- Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
- Priced from US$2,387 per person
- Available departure(s): February 23–27, 2026
Take in the Cornish coast at its most wild. (Wilderness England)
Winter strips Cornwall back to its elemental core. Atlantic weather shapes the coastline, waves crash against towering cliffs, and historic fishing villages return to a gentler rhythm. This five-day guided walking holiday explores Cornwall’s rugged southwestern edge at its most atmospheric, following sections of the South West Coast Path and quieter inland routes.
Walks are adapted to winter conditions and showcase Cornwall’s diverse landscapes, from windswept headlands and sheltered coves to wooded valleys and coastal farmland. Evenings are spent enjoying local food, fireside warmth and the region’s rich maritime heritage.
Trip highlights
- Guided coastal walks along dramatic Atlantic cliffs and headlands
- Sections of the South West Coast Path without peak-season crowds
- Exploration of historic fishing villages, harbours and hidden coves
- Winter wildlife spotting and storm-watching opportunities
- Comfortable accommodation and hearty, seasonal meals included
- Expert guides adapting routes to winter weather and conditions
Trip details
- Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
- Priced from US$2,226 per person
- Available departure(s): February 16–20, March 9–13, and March 23–27, 2026
Framed by mountains, or “fells,” winter is an especially picturesque season in the Lake District. (Wilderness England)
In winter, the Lake District becomes serene and contemplative. Snow-dusted fells, reflective lakes and quiet valleys define this five-day guided walking journey through one of England’s most celebrated landscapes.
Routes are chosen to suit winter conditions, combining classic Lakeland scenery with peaceful riverside paths, low-level fell walks, and village-to-village routes, all supported by expert guides and warm hospitality.
Trip highlights
- Seasonal walks across valleys, lakeshores and accessible fells
- Routes adapted daily by experienced guides
- Classic Lake District scenery with a quieter winter pace
- Time in traditional villages and local pubs
- Comfortable accommodation and warming meals included
- Crisp winter air, soft light, and peaceful trails
- Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
- Priced from US$2,212 per person
- Available departure(s): March 8–12, 2026
A peaceful winter morning in the Cotswolds (Wilderness England)
In winter, the Cotswolds reveals a subtle, intimate beauty. Frost-lined footpaths, rolling hills and honey-colored villages glow in low seasonal light. This gentle five-day guided walking holiday offers a relaxed exploration of England’s largest “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.”
Walks link historic villages, market towns and countryside lanes, with time built in to enjoy traditional inns, seasonal dining, and the region’s rich architectural heritage.
Trip highlights
- Easy-paced village-to-village countryside walks
- Quiet lanes, rolling hills and classic Cotswolds scenery
- Exploration of historic villages and market towns
- Traditional coaching inns and locally inspired seasonal meals
- A slower winter rhythm with fewer visitors
- Expert guides bringing local history and landscape to life
Trip details
- Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
- Priced from US$2,226 per person
- Available departure(s): February 16-20, March 2-6, and March 16-20, 2026
These winter walking holidays and retreats form part of a wider 2026 collection in Scotland, England, and Ireland, reflecting a growing appetite for travel that prioritizes atmosphere, authenticity, and meaningful connection to place.
For more information on all the above tours and more, visit WildernessScotland.com, WildernessEngland.com, and WildernessIreland.com.
About the Wilderness Group
Wilderness Scotland, established in 2001, is rated Europe’s No.1 Rated Adventure Travel Company by National Geographic and is Scotland’s only five-star accredited adventure tour operator. In 2012, its outpost Wilderness Ireland was launched, and the launch of Wilderness England followed in 2020. Offering an unrivalled range of small-group departures, self-guided trips and custom vacations, Wilderness Scotland, Wilderness Ireland, and Wilderness England lead the way in active and nature-based travel to the remote and wild corners of Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and England. Popular outdoor experiences include hiking, road cycling, E-biking, and kayaking. Wildlife, culture & heritage, wilderness retreats, photography, and sailing adventures are also available. For more information, visit www.wildernessscotland.