Forest bathing at Heartwood Forest

Heartwood Forest covers about 347 hectares of former farmland just north of St Albans. The Woodland Trust bought it in 2008, and since then volunteers and schoolchildren have planted around 600,000 native trees across roughly three quarters of the site. Scattered through it are pockets of ancient semi-natural woodland, including Langley Wood and Pudler's Wood, where the old trees are. There is also an arboretum that holds all 60 of Britain's native tree species, and a community orchard of old Hertfordshire apple, pear and cherry varieties.

Much of the forest is young planting, so for shade and the feel of old trees head for the ancient woods. In spring their floor is covered in bluebells, wood anemone and celandine; these are easily damaged by trampling, so keep to the wide paths. Most paths are unsurfaced and get muddy, and there are moderate slopes up from Sandridge village. A short surfaced loop leads from the car park for easier going. There are no toilets on site; the nearest are at Sandridge Village Hall.