5 Winter Walks Near Grandhome
Getting outdoors for a winter walk with family or friends is a great way to shake off the January blues. There is a lot to explore in the bonnie countryside of Aberdeenshire and the bustling city of Aberdeen.
Grandhome is close to natural landscapes and peaceful green spaces, so there are ample choices when it comes to finding new places to explore. We’re sharing our favourite winter wanders to inspire you to explore the local area and see what it has to offer for yourself. Read on to find out.
Discover the Donside Heritage Trail
Just one mile from Grandhome, you can find the Donside Heritage Trail. Discover rich Aberdonian history as you walk along the River Don’s beautiful waterside scenery.
The trail explores relics of Aberdeen’s industrial past while showcasing the continuing role the river has in the city. Not to mention the wildlife you might spot including otters, foxes and ospreys. Find more information on the trail here.
Visit Dunnottar Castle
Discover the gorgeous ancient coastal site at Dunnottar Castle in Stonehaven. One of North-east Scotland’s most iconic locations and ranked second in the top five best castles in the UK in October 2020, Dunnottar Castle really does have it all.
Experience the historic ruins while clocking up your steps taking in the fresh sea air. After all your exploring, you can treat yourself and the family to fish and chips from the local chipper.
Explore the best local parks
Duthie Park and Hazlehead Park both have so much to offer, no matter your age.
Duthie Park spans 44 acres and is loved by local and visitors alike, with the charmingly restored Victorian features such as the bandstand, fountain, boating ponds, and Japanese Garden. There are also two playparks for all the family, not to mention The David Welch Winter Gardens, home to the very popular botanical gardens.
Hazlehead Park is renowned for its formal gardens including two rose gardens. These include the Queen Mother’s Rose Garden and the North Sea Memorial Rose Garden. The new Rainbow Garden is also open for those who prefer a quiet walk. For families, Hazlehead offers a great range of family-friendly features including playparks, a maze, a petting zoo and year-round events such as the Aberdeen Highland Games.
Both parks have delicious cafes where you can warm yourself up after your winter walk.
Hike Bennachie
Bennachie is one of North-east Scotland’s most recognisable landmarks with multiple peaks to choose from. From the highest summit of Oxen Craig at 528 metres to the most popular Mither Tap, Bennachie has a great mix of woodland, moorland, path and stream junctions, perfect for every adventure requirement.
Keep a lookout for fascinating wildlife such as red squirrels and roe deer. Bennachie is only 35 mins in the car from Grandhome and is guaranteed to tire the little ones out – maybe even the adults too!
Head to the beach
Only 20 minutes north of Aberdeen, you can discover the brilliant Newburgh Beach. With picturesque sand dunes and a scenic shore, Newburgh Beach has it all. Not to mention the main attraction of the 400 strong colony of seals at the mouth of the Ythan River. Make sure you wrap up warm because the winter breeze feel a lot chillier by the seaside – but we promise it is worth it.
If you are getting out to explore all that Aberdeenshire has to offer, then we’d love to see your pictures over on the Grandhome Community Facebook page.
New Year, New Home
Are you thinking of moving to a new home in 2023? Grandhome is a new community in Bridge of Don, Aberdeenshire that is investing in landscaping with more than twice the green space required by planning, making it the perfect place to live if you love the outdoors. Discover new build homes for sale in Grandhome here.