Stunning winter LANDSCAPES

Visit frosty moors, snowy pine forests and icy seas in the pale, winter light – all right here in beautiful Britain

- KATY HOLLAND

METEOR SHOWERS IN GALLOWAY

The Geminids meteor shower in Scotland’s Galloway is a stunning display visible between 7-16 December, and one of the highlights of the stargazing year. On a dark night, you can catch over 50 dazzling meteors blazing across the sky every hour. Perched on a hilltop on the edge of Galloway’s Dark Sky Park, the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory is a great spot from which to watch the drama unfold.

Take a walk: The 4km gentle stroll from Loch Doon Castle to the loch itself follows a lovely moorland path, with superb views of the Galloway Hills. Visit scottishdarksky observatory.co.uk.

Freezing waterfalls in Northern Ireland

Explore the mature woodland of Glenariff Forest Park with its steep river gorges, freezing waterfalls and open frosted moorland. The protected forest is home to animals of conservation concern, including hen harriers and the Irish hare, found here exclusively.