The snow is here and while it's causing disruption to travel and holidays it does also offer a fabulous outdoors playground for adults and children. One of the best snow-based activities for all the family is sledging.
To start with you need to choose your sledging vehicle. The range is amazing. There are: Plastic sledges, inflatable sledges, foam sledges, sledges called Porshes or Snow Bobs, sledges with steering, sledges without, sledges for two and sledges for one. Or perhaps you’ll simply choose a metal tray, a big plastic bag, or a homemade wooden sledge that dad brought down from the attic.
See Sledges for further ideas.
Then you need to find the perfect location for your sledging adventure. Every area will have its sledging hotspots, including hills, country parks and even golf courses. (Remember that sledging can be dangerous if you play near busy roads. Also beware of other sledgers sliding down at high speed behind you or from the side.)
Sledging is a sociable activity and great way to enjoy your time with friends and family. It's also a fantastic calorie burner!
And, as one parent pointed out recently, sledging is an inventive physics lesson. "Sledging teaches kids about velocity and friction,” he said.
Here we bring you a round up of some great places that happy sledgers have suggested you could try across the UK.
Yorkshire area: Head to York and join the locals sledging at Knavesmire, just off Tadcaster Road, and Garrow Hill between the University and Walmgate Stray.
In the Dales National Park, popular sledging slopes include Cowling Bank, near Bedale, and around Leyburn.
In and around Scarborough there’s the hill behind Moor Lane at Newby, as well as the hills next to Ayton castle.
In the west: We’ve heard that Ashton Court Estate in Bristol is a great location for sledging, as well as Heaven’s Gate, Longleat Estate, Wiltshire
Derby: Check out this dedicated sledging map for a host of local hotspots such as Rykneld Recreational Ground and Darley Park.
Nottingham’s best sledging spots include Mickey’s Bank, Nottingham Knight slope and Berry Hill Park.
Meanwhile a community website Shropshire Live suggests a range of sledging spots including The Stiperstones, Clunbury in south Shropshire, Winny Hill by the The Old River Bed in Shrewsbury, and the short but steep slope at The Rugby Club, Newport.
Sledging in Scotland
For our Scottish readers there are a host of great sledging sites. While you’d expect the rural areas, hills and mountains, including five ski resorts, to offer the best opportunities for sledging, the cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow also provide some great spots.
In Edinburgh, top sledgers rate Holyrood Park, The Braids and The Meadows. While in Glasgow, you’re recommended to head to Kelvingrove Park. To the north at Strathblane, there’s the ever-popular Mugdock Country Park.
Of course, there are hundreds more locations for sledging with the family this winter. Why not tell us your favourites?
