Forest bathing at Belton Park

The parkland at the National Trust's Belton House, just north of Grantham, covers about 1,300 acres of open grassland, ancient woodland and riverside along the Witham. Fallow deer have been kept here since 1690, and the herd often rests in Old Wood, the ancient woodland in the park. Avenues of lime and horse chestnut lead the eye across the park to Bellmount Tower, a mid-18th-century viewing tower on the hill, and one of the oldest trees is a sycamore planted when the house was built.

The Belton Park walk, about 3.2 miles, starts at the main car park and follows the avenues, the river and the site of the lost medieval village of Towthorpe. It is mostly rough pasture on deer and sheep tracks, firm in most weather but muddy by the river, with a gentle hill and gates but no stiles. Look for tawny owls in Old Wood and the Bellmount Plantations. October and November bring the deer rut. Dogs must be on leads because of the deer and sheep.