Forest bathing at Hardwick Park

Hardwick Park on the west side of Sedgefield is an 18th century landscape park, laid out for the Tyneside businessman John Burdon, with temples, grottoes and follies designed by the architect James Paine. It is a listed historic landscape, and Durham County Council has restored much of it with Heritage Lottery Fund support. Woodland surrounds a 17 acre ornamental lake, and the mix of trees, water and old garden buildings gives you plenty of places to stop.

Park at the pay and display car park by the visitor centre and Tower Café. The main circuit is about three metres wide, generally flat and surfaced, which makes this one of the easiest places in the county for a slow walk under trees; side paths are rougher, with some steep slopes, and get muddy after rain. The woodland play area and the sculptures near the entrance are popular with families; head round the lake for more room.