Forest bathing at Cuerden Valley Park

Cuerden Valley Park covers 650 acres of woodland, parkland, farmland and meadows along the River Lostock, just south of Bamber Bridge. It is run by the Cuerden Valley Park Trust, a small local charity, and has ten miles of paths, a lake and a restored Victorian walled orchard. It is a good place to get among trees without driving into the hills.

The woodland paths by the river are the quietest part of the park, while the lake is the focal point for most visitors. The park is open all day, every day, so an early start is easy. Paths vary from firm tracks to muddy woodland paths that can be heavy going in winter. The Trust publishes trail leaflets on the park's history, landscape and wildlife, and the Friends group runs walks and talks.