Urban Winter Wonderland Walks

I know that I am totally biased when it comes to pounding the pavements where you live. But, sometimes it is nice to get a bit of an extra boost when the mornings and evenings are darker. My favourite thing to do at this time of year is to enjoy winter wonderland walks. While this is not really a ‘thing’, it is something you can do every day which grows as we head towards Christmas. Basically I like to walk around the area looking for the beautiful sparkly lights!

At this time of year, gardens aren’t as blooming and you can’t nosy around as clearly as it is darker. However, you will start to notice Christmas trees appearing in windows and lights around the gardens. This, for me especially, makes for a magical grotto like walk. I love how every day is a little bit different as more houses decorate and different patterns of lights emerge. It is a great time of year to wrap up warm, wander your neighbourhood and get into the Christmas spirit!

This year, more than any other, is being boosted by Christmas coming early. People decorating more than they would to spread a bit of cheer, as many of us will continue to be under some kind of restrictions going forwards. I think it is nice seeing the streets come to life with flashing lights, trees and decorations.

Since about mid-November, the lights around me in East Manchester have been creeping onto walls and windows. Sometimes poised to turn on at the flick of a switch and others glowing in mighty glory from the get go. It has been an excellent opportunity to wander different streets and to follow the glowing light coming from places I have never seen before. I admit that I am a fan of the garish and rainbow lights. I feel like it has something to do with reflecting Christmas growing up in the 80s.

Cheap and Easy

It is traditional at this time of year that many of us will be a bit on the light side when it comes to money, so having some cheap and easy ideas for getting out and about (even while under the Covid tier system) is a great resource to have. You don’t need anything special to get out for an urban winter wonderland walk, as it starts from exactly where you are. With the things you already have.

Simply pop on your winter layers and set out for a walk in your neighbourhood. You can have a route in mind, if you have spotted some lovely displays on your regular journeys, or you can simply see what you discover. Perhaps you can start in your local shopping area or main street. Often they will be the first places to get some lights and the shops might do some fun displays too.

My favourite point used to be one of the houses down the road from me. You know the ones who appear to have been planning the display all year and really win all the prizes for the brightest display? That is always a fun point to start, or a goal for your urban winter wonderland walks. Sadly this house has been sold, so the grotto won’t be around this year. But that is all the more reason to find my local replacement!

For all the family

Now you might be thinking that this is simply for families with children. And you’d be wrong! Jit and I don’t have children (unless you count the furry four-legged ones we have) and find it to be a brilliant way to get outside in winter. Sometimes having that little push and purpose can go a long way. Especially after a long day of Zoom meetings and online work.

I would highly recommend that you get out for a wander to go on an urban winter wonderland walk as soon as you can. It changes by the day, so the earlier you get out the sooner you get to enjoy the changes in the urban grotto!

Urban Winter Wonderland Walks