Forest bathing at Hartsholme Country Park

Hartsholme Country Park is on the south-west edge of Lincoln, about three miles from the city centre, and is run by the City of Lincoln Council. It mixes woodland and grassland around a large reservoir lake, and grew from Victorian landscaped gardens; many of the paths, plantings and built features date from the 1860s. Next door is Swanholme Lakes Local Nature Reserve, so you can carry on walking beyond the park boundary.

The main entrance is on Skellingthorpe Road, with a bus stop about 200 metres away served from the city centre, which makes this an easy trip without a car. The visitor centre has a downloadable park map and guide. The lakeside trail is the busiest route; the woodland further from the entrance is quieter. The old estate trees give good colour in autumn, and early mornings on the lake are calm.