The highs of lowlands

I love the contrasts to be found in the countryside, especially in winter. Nowhere is this better demonstrated than in the Fens of eastern England, where the bleak bitter beauty of the low-lying landscape is perfectly offset by the warm intimacy of its towns.

Wild wetlands and huge oceans of dark, peaty fields offer a surprising amount of wildlife adventures – for those who dare leave the comforts of Cambridge’s pubs with blazing fires, cafés with steamed-up windows and timeless shops that seem plucked from Diagon Alley. The good news, as author Patrick Barkham explains on page 18, is that after every Shackleton-like expedition beneath those wide Fenland skies, you can reward yourself with snug fireside treats.

Like Patrick, we’re on a mission to embrace winter: from exploring exciting ideas for encouraging the whole family outdoors, even on a wet day (as I often tell my son, a wet day outdoors still beats a dry one inside), on page 47, to some of our writers’ best winter walks and days out, on page 71.

Should conditions become too challenging, then retreat to a log cabin – who hasn’t dreamed of building their own rustic, bespoke bolthole? Now’s your chance – on page 60. And from the comfort of the cabin fireside, why not admire the wonderful icy landscapes of Ian Lawson, page 52? I’ll confess that I’ve done some of my best winter exploring from the comfort of the armchair.