Forest bathing at Lyme

Lyme is a big National Trust estate at Disley, where the Cheshire plain meets the edge of the Peak District. Around the house and gardens is a deer park of ancient woodland and rugged moor, with red deer and a deer sanctuary near The Cage. The mix of open tops and sheltered wooded valleys means you can choose between wide views and closed-in, quiet woodland on the same visit.

Most visitors head for the house, gardens and Timber Yard, so the park beyond is noticeably quieter. A self-led walk leads to Lantern Wood, and the woods on the slopes, such as Hase Bank Wood, are good for sitting a while. Higher ground is open and exposed in wind and rain, so the woods are the better choice on rough days. Paths range from surfaced drives to rough, steep tracks. Disley station is about half a mile from the entrance, with a further mile or so up the drive to the house.