Regatta

Step out in Style with Regatta’s new Footwear for Spring

Regatta is launching new footwear styles for Spring/Summer 2012 across the ranges. Covering everything from sandals to hiking boots and shoes, Regatta is also launching two exciting new trail running shoes.

Regatta has increased its sandal offer for SS12 with everything from fashion lifestyle through to more technical styles.

The Tidal is a slide sandal for men and a thong style for women. They feature an anatomically designed arch support and a lightweight cushioned EVA sole unit. The AdFlux for men, women, boys and girls offers a technical feel at a great value price. The PU nubuck and webbing upper has a spandex lining and padding on the backstraps for extra comfort. The hook and loop straps enables you to get the perfect fit and the water friendly EVA footbed ensures lasting comfort.

The Wayfare (Lady Wayfare) shoe has been designed to compliment Regatta´s Wildshores range. The PU nubuck and breathable mesh upper has added interest prints perfect for everyday wear or travelling.

The Trailbreaker Low and Mid for men and women mark Regatta´s value Vibram value offer for SS12. With an Isotex waterproof and breathable membrane bootie and breathable mesh uppers, these have been built on Regatta´s Comfort fit last which is ideal for wearing all day – whatever the weather.

Trail running is a new area for Regatta with two new styles - Agility X-LT for men and women and Kinetik X-LT for men are set to take the market by storm. The Agility X-LT has a water resistant printed Softshell upper with an Isotex waterproof and breathable bootie liner and is built on a Speed fit last and has a “close to foot” fit for comfort . The X-LT sole technology shaves weight off the shoe and the lightweight carbon rubber outsole is hardwearing and offers excellent grip, thanks to the multi directional cleat pattern. The Lady Agility X-LT comes in feminine colourways – granite/vivid viola and black/lemon sorbet.

The Kinetik X-LT is a lightweight modern sports fashion style with a breathable vented mesh upper which is water resistant. It is designed to dry fast even if you get it wet.

In addition, Regatta has introduced new accessories and new socks to the range. Our new X-ert X-treme Performance footbed for men and womens has been engineered for ultimate performance made from moulded polyurethane for extra support and stability, ultimately preventing foot fatigue.

Our laces are available in 2 sizes for 5 eyelet and 7 eyelet shoes and boots made from 100% water resistant nylon. They are ideal back up to have in your rucksack. There are new sock styles to compliment the new footwear. The X-ert Trail Runner for men and women features Coolmax for moisture control and is anatomically designed to offer heel protection and arch support. The Adventure Tech Active sock also features Coolmax for control ventilation and cushioning for extra comfort .

Pack it in with Regatta’s new range of rucksacks

Regatta’s range of rucksacks gets better year after year. Our new spring summer range includes valuable new additions plus the continuation of some of your favourites.

The X-ert Rucksacks continue as Regatta has received excellent feedback on this range.  Adventure Tech has seen valuable new additions to the range including the 2l and 10l hydropacks which feature cushioned air mesh back panels, breathable lightweight mesh straps – perfect for trail running and mountain biking. The Adventure Tech 25 and 35l rucksacks have been given the anatomic airflow back system which has concave lightweight metal structure with suspended mesh for maximum airflow and cut out mesh areas to reduce contact with the back.

Trekway will replace the Survivor range as Regatta’s new traditional range of trekking rucksacks. Available in 20l, 25l, 35l, 45l, 65l and 85l, the range has a distinct and versatile daisy chain design to the front of the pack.

There are five new daypacks to the range: Quest 15l, Takeover 25l, Aircool 20l, Technik 35l and Barber 35l.

The Takeover has been designed for the school market and as such fits an A4 folder easily. The Aircool 20l is a sleek design in diamond ripstop fabric. The Technik 35l is a more technical style with padded air mesh shoulder straps, adjustable hipbelt and is hydration compatible. The Barber 35l is a great new style which also features a raincover.

To find out more about these products be sure to visit www.regatta.com from February.

Our new spring summer range is coming soon...

With a consistent theme of Come out and Play, Regatta has launched a new range of clothing for Spring/Summer 2012 that will enable you to do just that! It covers everything from performance garments that can stand up to the toughest conditions to outdoor essentials for everyday adventures. Team this with an insistence on quality and great value for money and it is no wonder why Regatta is still the UK’s biggest outdoor brand.

As well as buying through our wide range of retail and online stockists you'll now be able to buy through www.regatta.com from February. It's a great range and as well as featuring your firm favourites there are some fantastic new additions.

Broken down into four categories – X-ert Performance, Adventure Tech, Outdoor Classics and Wild Shores, Regatta designers create styles with a variety of end users (or end activities) in mind.

X-ert Performance offers layers of fabric technology without the inflated price tag, ideal for those ready for a hi-tech outdoor adventure!

Layering is key, so we have essential new T-shirts offering sunshade protection and using natural fibres such as Carbon Bamboo (Ecoland – mens and womens). And a new check shirt which offers a superior fit due to the use of stretch fabric. The Geo Extol pant range has been further extended with shorts and capris and the whole range has been revamped with cargo pockets as well as extra security pockets. “Roasted” has been introduced as a new colourway for men and women.

Softshell is big for Regatta and as such 4 new styles have been added to X-ert including 2 bodywarmers – one with a hood (Atwood), the lightweight overhead (Windcrest) and the Archdale (Jaylin for women) which can be worn as a mid layer or as an outer. Part and full stretch Isotex 20,000 is key to the waterproofs for X-ert, for the ultimate in waterproof and breathability. Stretch offers excellent freedom of movement and as the Techne/Haley (part stretch) and Velocity/Teja (full stretch) offers all the features you would come to expect from a top end technical jacket they also offer excellent value for money.

Adventure Tech has a very sporty look, isn’t afraid of bold colourways and still scores highly on the all- weather technology.

Here, Regatta is launching 16 new men’s styles across waterproofs, softshell, fleece, legwear and tops. The Randall/Cassie t-shirt comes in a quick drying mesh fabric offering excellent wicking performance and looks stylish with its contrast stitching and print design. Printed fabric is big news for Regatta in Adventure Tech and as such a bold check is featured on the new Gregor/Keila softshell and Mahher/Zambra waterproof and breathable jacket.

Outdoor Classics are everyday essentials that can be worn for the school run, dog walking or gardening. It is about classic styles and muted colourways.

The big story for Outdoor Classics is the new Rila legwear range (for men and women) including a short, Capri, trouser and zip off trouser (and a matching men’s Bodywarmer). Available in very classic colours, seal grey and roasted (browny green), they are made from a blend of cotton and polyamide fibres which are cool to wear, soft, comfortable, quick drying and hardwearing – perfect for walking, travelling or any general outdoor activities.

Wild Shores screams weekend coastal getaways and casual outdoor pursuits. Balancing style with weather protection, you will find natural tones and bold interest prints to compliment any wardrobe.

Think Wild Shores and think lots of cotton, washed effects, relaxed looks and colourways that make you think of the coast – blues, browns, oranges... For men, tops come in the shape of a vintage look T-shirt, polos and check shirts to be worn with the casual Pirin short which comes in print or plain design. This can then be topped with a hoodie (O’Bouy), zip neck striped fleece (Offline) or marl knit effect fleece jacket (Zucci) with the printed Trentham waterproof jacket.

Women can choose from five top styles including 2 shirts, 2 polos and a T-shirt, to be worn with printed coolweave cotton shorts (Abisail) or plain Softex shorts or capris (Beachbum). To top this off Women can choose from a fantastic range of eight microfibre, fleece or cotton, bodywarmers, overheads or jackets in a variety of colours and designs. The three waterproofs (Isotex 5000) compliment the range beautifully in co-ordinating colourways.

Boys and Girls ranges are split into X-ert Performance and Adventure to mimic the adult ranges.

X-ert Performance range features everything you would expect for an adventurer with high expectations! Quick drying t-shirts (Speedway/Show Off and Luxo/Myral – with graphic), technical trousers (including Extol Zip-offs and waterproof and breathable Chandler overtrousers), softshell bodywarmers and jackets including a new printed design (Railroad for boys and girls) and waterproofs including the full stretch Host (boys and girls) jacket in Isotex 5000 stretch with grown on hood.

The Adventure range still protects from the weather but in a more laid back way! Think polo shirts, printed shorts, a range fleece and softshell jackets, overheads and bodywarmers and core value waterproofs that will stand up to a bad storm.

Be sure to visit www.regatta.com in February to browse the range, you won't be disappointed!

Call for families to join 2012 RSPB birdwatch

You only need to find a spare hour on the weekend of January 28 and 29 to take part in the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch campaign. The aim of the annual Birdwatch is to create a snapshot of bird numbers in each region in the UK. This is important because it is then possible to see where birds numbers are in decline, and to take preventative measures.

The Birdwatch has been taking place for more than 30 years and last year was one of the best yet. Now the RSPB is calling for even more people to count birds this year.

Over the three decades of birdwatches, the RSPB reports that the UK has lost more than half of house sparrows and some three-quarters of starlings. But it’s not all doom and gloom because the survey can help to highlight areas where steps can be made to create better environments for increasing bird numbers again. 

Prepare for the birdwatch 2012

 Now is the time to prepare. You’ll be hoping to attract a wide range of birds to your garden so make sure that your garden is one that the birds will want to come to. If you already have some bird feeders, make sure they are cleaned and filled with tasty bird feed. If you are new to this "birds in your garden" thing, then go out and buy a few bird feeders.

Then on the weekend of January 28 and 29 you simply need to find an hour in which you can sit back and watch. You’ll also need a pen and a printout of the RSPB’s handy bird ID sheet. By the way, if you do not have a garden or your garden isn’t a great bird haven, why not head along to a local park?

If you fancy joining a group watch then check out the RSPB link

A few group watches include:

* Big Wetland Duck Watch in Somerset

* Big Birdwatch in Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow

* Big Garden Birdwatch, RSPB Fairburn Ings, Newton Lane, near Ledston, Castleford

* Big Park Birdwatch at Lily Hill Park, Bracknell

* Big Garden Birdwatch Fun and Games, Real Life Science Studio, John Hope Gateway Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

How to take part in the RSPB birdwatch

Simply make a note of the highest number of each bird species seen on the ground (not flying over) at any one time. The birds in the survey include blackbird, blue tit, crow, pigeon, greenfinch, sparrow, great tit, magpie, robin, thrush, starling and wren. You can download a tick list sheet on the RSPB website 

Register for the birdwatch here

What to wear for birdwatching

If you are planning to sit indoors and count birds from the comfort of your own home you could easily wear your pyjamas and dressing gown! But if you plan to head to your local park or a group birdwatch we suggest you might want to wear something a little warmer.

Layer up: Start with a couple of thin baselayers, then add a fleece layer and a waterproof/windproof outer layer. You could choose a 3-in-1 jacket for added comfort and warmth. Remember to take another couple of layers with you in a rucksack in case you find it’s colder than you at first thought. Standing quietly and still for an hour while you count birds will cause your core body temperature to drop if you are not adequately dressed.

Leg it: Don’t forget to add layers on your legs. A pair of baselayer leggings and a pair of jeans/tracksuit bottoms of walking trousers will work perfectly. If it’s raining add waterproof outer layers.

Feet first: Thick and warm socks and a good quality pair of well-fitting walking boots or shoes are essential for keeping feet warm while birdwatching. Wellies will also be a god choice, so long as you have thick socks underneath.

Accessorise: A hat, gloves and a scarf make perfect sense. Try to find a pair of gloves that will allow you to hold a pen so that you can still tick off the bird names. We also recommend that your hat covers your ears to prevent the cold whistling into your ears.

Now you're set to join the RSPB Big Birdwatch 2012.

Great 'walking' songs

Does listening to a song about walking make you want to walk? Or is it that walking makes you want to listen to foot tapping songs? There’s no doubt that a good, cheerful song can do wonders for your mood and enthusiasm.

While many people prefer to walk with the sounds of the outdoors in their ears, there are times when a walk with an Ipod or MP3 player can really boost your energy levels and mental spirit.

Scottish walker, Gordon – also known as the G-Force –recently completed a round of all 283 Munros. He has spent a great deal of time walking solo and most often he’s walked with his own thoughts and the sounds of the wind and birds in his ears. But there are times when an Ipod and headphones has offered a helping hand.

He says: “I love walking on my own in Scotland’s mountains. Of course, I also like company but sometimes it’s just great to get away and feel the huge sense of freedom of being alone in the outdoors.

“On these occasions I might listen to music as I walk. Not always, but sometimes it is just what I need to give me an energy lift. If I’ve been walking for hours and I’m starting to tire and perhaps the weather is a bit dull I can switch on some of my favourite upbeat tunes and suddenly feel my mood is lifted.

“When walking I like faster beat songs and I can’t say I’ve always gone for songs with ‘walk’ in the title but I definitely tend to listen to foot tapping music.”

Songs to walk to

Anyway, back in the Regatta office we started to come up with our favourite songs about walking. Someone suggested Walk this Way by Aerosmith. Then came Walking Away by Craig David.

A comment on Facebook seemed to capture the imaginations of some of our followers.

More songs about walking

* Walk by the Foo Fighters.. This upbeat tune also has a great video that sees the lead singer abandoning his car in a traffic jam in frustration and walking away... He’s still grumpy but he’s “Learning to walk again…”

* That upbeat 80s classic, Walk Like an Egyptian by the Bangles. Utterly ridiculous lyrics but a fun song, nonetheless

* Walk in the sun by McFly. Loved by some and loathed by others. The lyrics are certainly beautiful. And we all love a walk in the sun because it makes us feel warm inside and out!

* Milk Inc's Walk on Water. Oh how we’d like to learn how to walk on water… especially on a wet day in the hills! This is more of a love song.. but still has a great beat.

* Walk The Line by Johnny Cash. A true icon and his truly iconic song.“Because you’re mine… I walk the line”...

* Another 80s hit, Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves. So upbeat and so fab to walk to. We’re all walking on sunshine here at Regatta!

* The Proclaimers and their hit song I would walk 500 miles… Wouldn’t we all walk 500 miles if we had the time? In fact, where would you walk 500 miles to?

* Another suggestion is This Land is your Land by Woody Guthrie. While this song doesn’t have walking in the title it certainly has lots about walking in the lyrics. Give it a listen on YouTube. It's an awesome song.

And yet more songs with walk in the title

As She’s Walking Away  by Zac Brown Band

Baby Elephant Walk by  Henry Mancini

Before You Walk Out Of My Life by  Monica

Bird Walk by Soulja Boy Tell'em

Daddy Don't You Walk So Fast by Wayne Newton

Desire Walks On by Heart

Don’t Walk Away by Electric Light Orchestra and then Jade in 1993

Easier To Walk Away by Elton John

I Want To Walk You Home by Fats Domino

I'm Walkin' by Fats Domino

Just Keep Walking by INXS

Just Walking In The Rain by Johnnie Ray

Keep On Walkin' by Ce Ce Peniston

Love Walks In (love comes walking in) by Van Halen

Remember (Walking In The Sand) (remember - walking in the sand, remember - walking hand in hand) by  Aerosmith

Should we go on?! Or do you have any more suggestions? 

UK walking goals for 2012

Walking is great for keeping you fit, both mentally and physically. That’s why so many more people will be pledging to make 2012 the year when they achieve a range of new walking goals. In Scotland, the ever-popular Munros offer 283 mountain challenges. The Munros are all of Scotland's mountains with a summit of more than 3,000ft. They are named after Sir Hugh Munro, who originally compiled a list of these highest mountains. 

Scottish walking challenges

To date, the Scottish Mountaineering Club have a record of more than 4,000 people who have walked all 283 Munros. In 2012, you could set yourself the goal of walking 10 Munros, or suggest to a friend that you walk five Munros during a three-day trip to Scotland.

The Munro brothers, the Corbetts, make another great goal for walkers in Scotland. The Corbetts are Scottish hills between 2,500ft and 2,999ft high with a drop of at least 500ft  on all sides.  They are named after the list's original compiler, J Rooke Corbett.

Then there are the Grahams! Scotland loves to categorise its hills! A Graham is a Scottish hill between 2000ft and 2499ft tall, with a drop of at least 150 metres on all sides.  They were originally referred to as Elsies, but have since been renamed after a compiler of a similar list, Fiona Graham.

Scotland also boasts a stable of fabulous long-distance walks. These include the original – and still the most popular – West Highland Way, which can be walked in five to seven days. For something different, head to the Southern Upland Way, or the Kintyre Way, or the Cape Wrath Trail.

There is also the new East Highland Way to whet the appetite of all keen walkers. From Fort William to Aviemore, this glorious 78-mile walking trail connects the West Highland Way and the Great Glen Way. See, there's another route we hadn't mentioned so far!

Welsh walking challenges

Walking in Wales has also been given a boost thanks to a new app created by the Ramblers. The Welsh Walking App will be available from the end of this month and it’s specifically aimed at helping people to build up their exercise levels to follow a structured programme of gradually increasing activity.

The app will also be calling on walkers to go along to the official opening of the Welsh Coastal Path on May 5. The Welsh Coastal Path is unique. It will make Wales the first nation in the world to have a path around its entire shoreline.

English walking challenges

In England, another new walk commemorating a long-distance trek written about by Alfred Wainwright is almost complete. The 247-mile Settle to Hadrian's Wall route is set to open in September, commemorating 75 years to the day after the author set off on his walk.

The Wainwright walk will also have a special place on updated editions of OS maps. If you can’t wait for this route to open, but still want to enjoy a long-distance walk in northern England why not try the Hadrian's Wall Path?

More walking ideas

And if you’re still stuck for new ideas, the ViewRanger app for mobile phones publishes thousands of expert guided routes for walking. The guided routes are written by locals and all of the routes come with the track to follow, along with a text description containing a wealth of navigation advice and local knowledge to help you get the best from your hike. 

A good ole family day out!

When you have a demanding 5 and 8 year old, it can sometimes prove to be tricky to find new and exciting things for them to do at the weekend. So you can imagine my delight when I was asked by a publisher friend to help out on a feature they were working on. They wanted to focus on the National Trust and needed a family to photograph for the article. (Did I think that my family had model potential ... well maybe not my husband and I, but I did think that Matthew and Emily could probably pull it off – what parent wouldn’t think that of their children?!!)

So the plan was that we would come up with a suitable location, the family would be photographed for a few hours enjoying the surroundings, we would all have lunch and then be free to go home. It all sounded perfect to me!  Also the fact that we could showcase the latest jackets, fleece, softshell, footwear and accessories from the Regatta range, made the opportunity even better!

The venue chosen was Tatton Park, set in Knutsford in the heart of Cheshire. For those of you who have never been, it is well worth a visit.  You pay £5 for parking (but if you join the National Trust during your visit this will be refunded!) Should you wish to visit the farm, mansion, old hall and gardens then there is an extra charge, however there are things to do at Tatton Park which doesn’t cost you a penny more!

The Parkland is immense – 1000 acres can be explored by bike, on foot or even on horse-back and there are guided walks available too. We spotted many red and fallow deer in the Parkland which was magical for the children particularly in the lead up to Christmas, who insisted that at least one of them had to be Rudolph! Our Regatta walking boots and trail shoes were perfect here because they were sturdy enough over the mixed terrain and as it had been raining and the ground was wet, our feet remained warm and dry thanks to the Isotex waterproof and breathable lining. In the time we were there we only touched upon a small part of the fabulous Parkland available, but it would be something that we will do on our bikes on our return.

The highlight of the visit for Matthew and Emily was the adventure playground! You can’t miss it because it is situated just by the main car park. What’s great is that it is a safe environment for them to wander around and try everything – which is exactly what they did! Particular favourites were monkey bars, zip wire and the assortment of swings – bouncy swings and tyres - that kept them amused for ages!  

Thankfully the weather stayed fine for us most of the time which was favourable for the photographer! However when it did start raining a bit, we just zipped up our coats, pulled on our hats and gloves and were fine! Also, when the children were warm from all the running around, we just zipped off their coats and they were happy to run around in their fleeces or softshell.

And after all that playing in the playground, we decided a well earned lunch was in order! The food served at The Stables restaurant is lovely with a choice of hot or cold meals, selection of drinks and more than enough choice. What went down particularly well was the choice of cakes available. They were delicious and felt like a lovely treat after a fantastic day out in the great outdoors.

http://www.tattonpark.org.uk/

So many great reasons to walk in winter

As traditional as the Christmas turkey is the New Year’s resolution to get fit. In January, gym numbers peak as we all suddenly bid to zap the excess festive calories. But many people overlook the advantages of outdoor exercise at this time of year. Being outdoors, even if it is a bit cold and wet, can offer a host of benefits to health, fitness and well-being. If you decide to take up walking, then outdoors exercise is also a whole lot cheaper than joining the local gym.

Exercise outdoors is a wonderful mood enhancer, helping to boost the feel-good hormones called serotonin. This is especially important in winter when many people are hit by the winter blues. Research shows that exercising outdoors in daylight for just an hour each day can help to combat SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).

Keep-fit fans are also likely to have a lower blood pressure – which in turn leads to improved feelings of well-being. Making the effort to get out for a walk or run during the day will increase your positive outlook for the whole day.

If winter makes you shiver just thinking about it, then give your circulation a kickstart with regular bouts of cardiovascular exercise. As soon as your heartbeat starts to rise, you’ll be shedding your gloves and outer layers of clothing.  And the effects can last for some time after exercise stops.

In cold weather, some experts believe you burn slightly more calories because of a small drop in body temperature, which sees your metabolism increase to warm and humidify the air you breathe. Wearing extra clothing and heavier boots or shoes will also lead to a higher fat-burn because you are carrying more weight.

And people who keep fit tend to feel better about their body image. This wil be a great asset as the spring approaches and fashion dictates skirts, t-shirts and shorts.

How to take your first steps outdoors for winter exercise

The toughest part of outdoors exercise in winter is putting on your walking boots or running trainers and stepping outside the front door. It can be hard to get yourself outdoors when temperatures are close to zero. But once you’ve made the decision and you’re warmly dressed, most people find winter walking or running really exhilarating.

How to dress for outdoors exercise in winter

Put on two or three baselayers made from breathable and wick-away fabrics such as a technical polyester or merino wool baselayer rather than layers made from cotton. Add a midlayer or a soft shell and then a waterproof jacket.

If you’re walking make sure you have lots of accessories with you, including gloves, hat and warm winter socks inside your waterproof walking boots. Take extra layers in a rucksack and if rain is threatening, pop in a pair of waterproof overtrousers.

Make a keep-fit goal for 2012

Having a focus for your walking or running will help, too. You could decide that 2012 is the year to take part in a long-distance walking challenge, such as the Moonwalk or Caledonian Challenge. Or you could aim to lose a stone in weight, or to walk for at least 30 minutes every day for a month.

The winter also brings with is a host of new activities to try. Colder conditions might encourage you to have a go at ice-skating. After a good snowfall, there’s skiing, sledging and igloo building, which are all good calorie burners.

Winter also brings out the best in Britain’s landscape. Crisp but still winter mornings, dramatic misty landscapes and even wildly windy days can help to lift the spirits of even the gloomiest exerciser.

And if all this still hasn’t convinced you to keep fit, remember how difficult it is to kickstart a new fitness regime once you’ve stopped. Stick with your exercise routine for the next few months and you’ll be in your best shape ever for welcoming the spring weather and all its walking possibilities.

Reasons to be cheerful: Top 10 tips

• Start right: Get properly warmed up before you set off for a run or walk
• Layer up: Insulate your body by layering clothes. 
• Stay hydrated: It’s just as important to drink water in winter as it is in summer ever if you don’t feel like it.
• Be seen: Bright and reflective outdoor clothing is a good idea.
• A walk a day: You’ll feel the mood-lifting benefits if you make a point of going for a walk or jog outside in daylight hours.
• Feet first: Off-road trainers and good quality walking boots are better able to cope with wet and snowy ground.
• Take it easy: It’s easier to injure cold muscles so slow down your walk or run.
• Have a goal: Identify an event that you want to complete.
• Team up: Exercising with friends is safer on darker mornings and evenings.
• Walk and talk: Instead of meeting a friend for a coffee and a cake, suggest that you walk and talk.

WWT Blog by Toby, Louise, William and Oliver Jenkins

A couple of weeks ago our family headed to WWT Slimbridge to spend a bright, but chilly, Saturday among the birds and other wildlife. We’d heard the first Bewick’s swans had just arrived, and always like to spend an hour sitting in a heated bird hide overlooking the lake where the winter birds gather and are fed twice a day by staff.

It’s always more appealing heading to wildlife reserves in the sunny summer months, but if you’re into seeing lots of birds (both different species and just vast numbers) then winter is really the only time to visit Slimbridge. October onwards is when thousands of swans, geese and other migrant birds head over from even colder climes to spend the winter.

While the hide (and the restaurant) might be cosy though, warm clothing was definitely needed for exploring Slimbridge’s acres of wildlife reserve. Our two children (aged 3 and 22 months) were kept happily snug in fleeces, and gloves made feeding the ducks a little less worrying for them (the collection ducks are very friendly, but their hungry bills can be a bit rough on cold hands! ). We remembered to bring their wellies too to swap into for a visit to Welly Boot Land – a favourite hang out for toddlers who love splashing about in the shallow channels of water.

With a picnic packed into the rucksack, we had lunch on a bench overlooking a lake packed with ducks and our older one enjoyed picking them out on his spotter guide. Slimbridge is a great winter destination for families.