Cornwall

The National Trust has launched a collection of online walking guides based around some of the silliest place names found on its land.

Ten new ‘Silly Walks’ have been created at places such as Kiss me Arse Steps in Cornwall and Scrubby Bottoms in Pembrokeshire.

The walking guides will be available to download for free from 1 April 2011 and have been launched as part of a wider initiative by the National Trust to encourage the nation to get outdoors and closer to nature.

Holidaymakers are capitalising on the extra bank holiday this year and booking a National Trust holiday cottage for a bonus spring break.

The Trust’s holiday cottages team have taken more than double the number of early bookings compared for the same weekend of last year.

But with around 400 cottages to choose from, there are still places available for the extra holiday weekend when the timing will be perfect for the arrival of longer, warmer days to really make the most of time away.

The National Trust has seen its best year for filming, with its locations providing the setting for more major movie hits than ever before.

With the Oscars fast approaching, film stars are gearing up for the highly-acclaimed award ceremony on 27 February, but it’s not just the actors and directors who deserve a standing ovation.

Fitness fanatics now have the chance to beat the January blues whilst shedding the Christmas excess by booking a National Trust holiday cottage to make the most of the great ‘outdoor gym’.

The outdoor gym – which includes footpaths, beaches, lakes and hills - gives people the chance to experience the benefits of exercising outdoors; it’s better for you – both physically and mentally – to exercise outside in the fresh air.

Beat the post-festive blues and head outdoors to shift those Christmas pounds.

With January traditionally the time for New Year’s weight loss resolutions, and for thousands of Briton’s to sign up to costly gym memberships, the Trust’s outdoor gym activities will give people the triple benefit of exercising outdoors; it’s better for you – both physically and mentally - and much lighter on the pocket.

Stourhead, Wiltshire
New Year's Day walk, 1 January 11am - 1pm
There’s no better way to start the New Year than a walk around the awe-inspiring beauty that is Stourhead. Discover one of the most famous landscaped gardens in the world and walk off those extra Christmas calories without even realising it. Join the Estate Ranger and Head Gardener on a terrific four mile walk through the garden, woods and parkland. Discover temples, follies and the odd grotto or two as well as finding out how the National Trust manages this world-famous estate.
Trust Burn-o-metre = 400 calories burned [3]

Have you ever wondered what trees would say if they could talk? If so, then the National Trust’s new talking trees trail at Cotehele in Cornwall is set to bring the story of the humble apple tree and orchards to life.

In a pilot project using the latest technology, the trees will literally talk – via an audio recording - when visitors swipe a small pen-like device over any apple logo they find as they wonder through the orchard.