Forest bathing at Etherow Country Park

Etherow Country Park lies in the Etherow and Goyt valley at Compstall, near Marple, and was one of Britain's first country parks. The site was once industrial, with a mine, a mill and a mill pond fed by the River Etherow; as the industry went, nature came back. It covers 240 acres, and Compstall Nature Reserve within it is a Site of Special Scientific Interest that includes mixed deciduous woodland.

The car park, café and mill pond are at the Compstall end, and the busiest part is around the water, with boats and anglers. Follow the river up the valley and into the woods for quieter walking; the Goyt Way and the Etherow Goyt Valley Way both start here. The nature reserve itself is open by permit only, so keep to the public paths. Expect a mix of firm paths by the water and muddier woodland tracks.