A beautiful day with clear skies, crisp cool air and waves lapping the shore. A leisurely cycle to take in a mid-afternoon sunset. Winter is a great time of year to get out and about and get active outdoors in White Cliffs Country!

Are you feeling inspired to indulge a fitter, healthier and happier you for 2022? If you’ve woken up to the new year with positive vibes and a can-do attitude for being more active, more adventurous and exploring more of the natural and historical landscapes of England’s coast and countryside, then wake up to White Cliffs Country – it’s a great place to start happy new beginnings as you ditch old habits.

Whether you’re right on the doorstep of Deal, Dover and Sandwich, or a little further afield, they’ve got some great winter walks to inspire you to wrap up warm and head outside this season. The benefits to physical and mental health and wellbeing of regular exercise are well known, but in the middle of winter, with shorter daylight hours and an inevitable lull once the festivities are over, sometimes it’s hard to get motivated. The stretch of coastline along Kent’s Heritage Coast in White Cliffs Country (featured in Lonely Planet’s “Best In Travel” 2022 guide) has some of the best walking trails in the UK – and you don’t have to be a seasoned hiker to enjoy them. They have wonderful paths for all ages and all abilities – check out White Cliffs Country suggestions for walking itineraries for a great starting point – and you’ll be itching to get out and about to explore their coast and countryside trails!

If you love the peace and tranquility of the countryside in winter time, then make sure you explore the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which makes up 22% of White Cliffs Country. With new visitor experiences to connect you with the natural landscape and its people, offering an authentic and immersive insight to the Kent Downs, there’s even more reason to explore the countryside this winter. Did you know, White Cliffs Country is home to two National Trails? Look out for the new art trail along the Via Francigena section of the North Downs Way. And don’t miss the England Coast Path section that weaves through White Cliffs Country, which takes in the historically significant South Foreland Lighthouse and the world famous White Cliffs of Dover with breathtaking sea views.

Did you get a new bike for Christmas? Or were you already kitted out and equipped with a trusted pair of wheels? Maybe you’re keen to get out on a bike and get into cycling this year – or get back into cycling – but you’re not sure where to start? White Cliffs Country offers you great options for cycling with fabulous routes to explore, and cycle hire – including Deal’s E-bikes. Available from Tides Leisure Centre in Deal, e-bikes are perfect if you’ve not cycled for a while and you need a bit of a hand getting up the hills, or if your fitness levels aren’t quite where you want them to be yet. For ideas of where to cycle around Deal, Dover and Sandwich, have a look at their cycling pages or try their cycling itinerary for inspiration!

While you’re out and exploring White Cliffs Country this winter, don’t forget to capture and share your memories. With fabulous coastal sunrises and countryside sunsets all the more snappable in the winter season with shorter daylight hours, White Cliffs Country offers you great opportunities to take amazing photographs – and they’d love you to tag them in your posts. Share your pics using #whitecliffscountry – and make sure you follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.