How and Where to Walk Off Your Christmas Dinner Calories

According to the latest studies, the average Brit will eat and drink food totalling more than 4,000 calories this Christmas Day, with at least 1,000 of them coming from the traditional turkey dinner. So, there's more incentive than ever to get out into the great British countryside for a walk with loved ones after your festive dinner. However, if the scary calorie consumption statistics aren't enough to get you moving, then the beautiful Great British countryside at its wintry best ought to do the trick.

With that in mind, we've been kind enough to list the calorific content of your Christmas dinner below. But, fear not! We've also shared with you some of the most breathtaking walks around the UK so you can walk off the tasty treats. So, see you out and about sometime after the Queen's speech?

The average Christmas dinner... 
1 x portion of roast turkey = 149 calories

1 x portion of roast potatoes = 127 calories

1 x portion of stuffing = 231 calories

1 x portion of roast parsnips = 102 calories

1 x portion of boiled carrots = 14 calories

1 x portion of boiled sprouts = 32 calories

1 x serving of gravy = 17 calories

1 x serving of cranberry sauce = 45 calories

1 x serving of bread sauce = 42 calories

2 x pigs in blankets = 394 calories

1 x slice of Christmas cake = 249 calories

1 x portion of cheese and biscuits = 394 calories

1 x portion of Christmas pudding, custard and brandy butter = 587 calories

= a whopping 2383 calories!

So, get your walking boots on and get out and about on Christmas day. Here are our festive favourites around the UK.

Northern Ireland’s best...
Castle Ward, Strangford Lough

Overlooking the south shores of Strangford Lough, Castle Ward is one of Northern Ireland's finest demesnes or country estates. At its heart lies an unusual Georgian mansion, but there is a lot more to discover here... This walk explores the waterside, a ruined castle, woodland, an ornamental lake and follies. Visit in winter for a chance to see a fantastic range of migrating birds and the resident seals.

The walk is 2.5 miles long, and walked at average speed (about 2mph), could see you burn about 300 calories - you may want to go round the estate twice, or walk more briskly to really make a dent in your Christmas calories!

Wales' best... 
Rhossili Bay, South Wales

Take in the tremendous coastal views from Rhossili Down before descending to Rhossili Bay, considered one of the finest sandy beaches in the UK. At the southern end of the bay, when the tide is low, a finger of limestone rock leads to Worms Head where seabirds and seals can be seen- a real Christmas treat!

The walk is 5 miles long and will burn about 500 calories when walked at an average pace - although walking barefoot on the sand (if the snow's cleared!) or up a hill or two will burn plenty more.

The best of the North... 
Alderley Edge, Cheshire

This beautiful woodland walk begins at Alderley Edge railway station and is just 12 miles south of Manchester. Set around a dramatic sandstone escarpment in rolling Cheshire farmland and mature Scots pines and beech woodlands, the Edge has spectacular views, intriguing legends and an ancient history of copper mining which dates back 4,000 years to the Bronze Age!

The walk is 4.5 miles long so you're likely to burn just under 500 calories; the equivalent of two slices of Christmas cake.

The best of the South... 
Staple Plain, Somerset

Wander down through broadleaf woodland, into a bracken filled combe and up to the top of Beacon Hill to savour fantastic panoramic views across the Quantock Hills and beyond. Continue through lowland heathland, listening and looking out for red deer, skylark and Dartford warbler in this wildlife-rich environment.

The walk is 2 miles long so you'll burn about 200 calories. If you want to work harder, take the dog- he or she will encourage you to get moving!

The Midlands’ best... 
Calke Park and Abbey, Derby

As well as a grand Baroque mansion with a large natural history collection, Calke has secret walled gardens and 600 acres of parkland, much of which is a National Nature Reserve. The park is a rich and varied landscape of grassland, ponds and wood pasture - one of the rarest habitats in Europe. You'll also find majestic veteran trees and some great 'bug' - watching sites. There are no public roads at Calke so it is perfect for a peaceful walk.

The walk is 1.5 miles long so you’ll probably burn about 200 calories. However, the sights are so pretty that you may well end up strolling round more than once and, given that there are no public roads, you could add to the distance by walking to Calke to start with.