Forest bathing at Baal Hill Wood

Baal Hill Wood is a Durham Wildlife Trust reserve of 20 hectares just north of Wolsingham in Weardale. It is ancient woodland, originally upland oak and birch; birch now covers large areas, and earlier owners added a few non-native trees, including redwoods and monkey puzzle. At the northern end stands the Bishop's Oak, a veteran tree thought to be more than 400 years old. There are no facilities and no car park, and it is a wood you walk into rather than drive up to.

Park in the lay-by beside Holywell Farm, off the B6296 north of Wolsingham, then follow the public footpath about 700 metres across a field, which may have grazing animals, to a gate into the wood. Paths inside are unsurfaced, uneven and steep in places, and slippery when wet. The reserve is open at all times; keep dogs on a lead.