Forest bathing at Arlington Court

Arlington Court is a National Trust estate north of Barnstaple, best known for its house and carriage museum, but much of the estate is woodland and wildlife reserve. The deer park walk takes you through ancient woodland including Deerpark Wood, past the old lake and through Tucker's Bridge, a mix of wet woodland and boggy grassland where lichens, bats and butterflies do well. Red deer live on the estate, and an avenue of monkey puzzle trees marks the way back.

The walk starts at the Old Kitchen Tea-room and is about 4.8km, taking around two hours. It follows estate paths and woodland tracks with several gates; some sections are steep or muddy, so wear boots in the wetter months. The far side of the lake and the wet woodland are the quietest parts. Dogs are welcome on a lead.