Forest bathing at Moors Valley Country Park and Forest

Moors Valley Country Park and Forest covers more than 800 acres at Ashley Heath, near Ringwood. It is run jointly by Dorset Council and Forestry England, and it is one of the busiest family days out in the area, with a play trail, Go Ape, cycle hire and a miniature steam railway. Beyond all that is a large forest with many miles of paths and tracks.

Because so much happens near the visitor centre, the trick here is to walk out past the play areas and into the forest proper, where the paths are quieter. The rangers say the park is usually less busy before 10am or after 2pm. Many of the trails are comfortable for a range of abilities, and all-terrain mobility scooters can be booked in advance. The café and visitor centre give you shelter if the weather turns.