Forest bathing at Badock’s Wood

Badock's Wood is a small nature reserve of woodland, streams and meadow in Southmead, north Bristol, with the River Trym running along the valley. The wood is probably at least 400 years old. Sir Stanley Badock bought it in 1905 with the Holmwood estate and gave part of it to the city in 1937. Today a local community group looks after it with Bristol's parks team.

This is one of the easiest woods in the city to visit if you need level ground: the paths are tarmac and step-free, with good wheelchair access from the Doncaster Road entrance. The other main way in is from Lakewood Road. There is no car park, so park on the nearby roads, and no toilets. Being small and surrounded by housing, it is a place for an unhurried hour rather than a long walk; sit by the river or in the meadow. Wildflowers come in summer, and dragonflies around the pond.