WITH many shops and services closed on New Year’s Day, residents in Monmouth may be wondering how to spend their first day of the new year so here are some of the activities you could get up to.

There are so many trails and walking routes you can participate in, here are some which you could take part in this year.

Some include:

-Goytre Hall Wood Walk, a short two-mile walk through woodland and along the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal

-Caldicot Castle, this is a 1.3 mile walk through the 55-acre Caldicot Castle Country park

-Monmouth to Redbrook circular walk, an opportunity to take in the Wye Valley in a six-mile walk which is approximately 3 to 4 hours.

-The Kymin, The Skirrid, Tintern, The Blorenge, and The Sugar Loaf

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Find below an attached article showing you some of the best picnic spots in Monmouthshire, although its cooler this time of year and going out on a picnic might not just be the activity you would like to do, these places are still great for walking.

Some people would choose to relax on New Years Day so here are some ideas which could pass the time by at home.

-Board games

-Movie marathons

-Puzzles

-Baking

-Redecorate or declutter

-Craft vision boards for the new year

-Reading

After a long year, to prepare for the new year taking part in some light exercise could be the way to reset your mind to enter the new year with a fresh perspective.

- Yoga or stretching

-Self-care afternoon/evening

-Journalling

-Digital detox- take time away from phones, electronics and let your mind reset

-Early night

Although January is a time of year people can make new year’s resolutions setting up for the new year ahead, New Year’s Day is all about relaxation, resetting and easing into 2026.