Forest bathing at Glenarm Forest

Glenarm Forest is a small wood in one of the nine Glens of Antrim. It has a wide mix of trees: oak, ash, beech and sycamore alongside Japanese larch and Sitka spruce. The Glenarm river runs down the middle of the glen to the harbour, and side streams make strips of natural vegetation through the plantations. Look out for dippers, herons and kingfishers along the banks, and the odd otter. The Lead, an early nineteenth century channel built to carry water to a mill by the harbour, is still part of the wood.

You walk in from the village by following Toberwine Street. There are no facilities, which keeps it low key. Spring is the best time, with bluebells, primroses and dog's mercury on the woodland floor. Japanese larch disease has been found here, so follow the biosecurity signs and clean your boots.