Cornwall is well known for its beautiful coast, but in the winter I often get the urge to head to the woodland; from the crunchy leaves in autumn, to the bare trees and crisp air in the winter, the woods are my favourite place to blow off the cobwebs!

The coast, although still just a beautiful on a cold and sunny winter’s day, a cold beach wind can sometimes be too much! Winter offers the perfect opportunity to head to the woods, with wildlife galore, and a different kind of beauty from the coast – minus the chilly wind!

Here is a run down of some of my favourite woodland walks:

Colan woods, just a few miles outside of Newquay

These woods are near Porth Reservoir, which is beautiful to walk around with rolling hills is the background and Colan woods behind it. The woods are the site of the old 19th Century Fur Hill estate, which has become neglected. The heir to this 1,000-acre estate is unknown and the estate is now in ruins. You can wonder around the few ruins left, which certainly makes an interesting walk, and these woods unquestionably have a spooky feel!

Golitha Falls, near St Neot, Liskeard

Golitha Falls is a great beauty spot on the edge of Bodmin Moor, this area of woodland is on the steep-sided valley gorge with the River Fowey flowing through it in series of amazing cascades! The river is home to salmon and sea trout. This mystical place is a great place to visit at any time of year.

Tehidy Country Park, near Camborne

This huge woodland has over 9 miles of peaceful woodland paths to explore, with a large lake. There is lots of wildlife to spot here, including swans, ducks, squirrels, and otters. There’s a café here, which is open all year around, perfect for a hard earned break!

Idless Woods, near Truro

These woods are just 2 miles from the city centre, great for a peaceful walk, with cycle trails too. There’s lots of local wildlife such as deer, otter, and badger.

Cardinham Woods, near Bodmin

Cardinham woods has mixed woodland ideal for walking, cycling and horse riding. The woodland has deer, buzzard, otter, and kingfisher. There’s a picnic area by the river and there are free to use barbecues (maybe make a trip here in summer too!). The woodland café serves refreshments.

By Clare Williams