Forest bathing at Brede High Woods

Brede High Woods is a Woodland Trust site of 647 acres in the High Weald, a mix of ancient woodland and younger secondary wood of oak, sweet chestnut, hornbeam, birch, alder, holly and aspen. Parts have been wooded since at least 1600. The ground holds traces of hop farming and iron making, including Roman ironworking, medieval woodbanks and the site of a 17th century farmstead. The Trust is slowly removing the old conifer plantations.

Two free car parks sit on the south side of the B2089, with maps at the eastern one and a short loop and a longer waymarked walk from there. The wood is big enough to leave the car parks behind quickly. Wood anemones flower in March and April and bluebells peak from late April to early May; autumn brings colour and fungi. Most paths are unsurfaced and often muddy, with some slopes towards the reservoir.