Forest bathing at Prior’s Wood

Prior's Wood is a 62-hectare Avon Wildlife Trust reserve near Portbury, once part of the Tyntesfield estate. Parts of the wood date back to the 1600s. Small-leaved lime, oak and hazel are abundant, and in places tall sweet chestnut reaches high into the canopy. Streams run through it down to a set of pools, and in autumn the wood is good for fungi.

Public footpaths make a circuit through the woodland and down to the pools. Parking is limited, so please be considerate of local residents. Paths can be muddy, slippery and steep-sided, so keep to the well-used routes and wear boots. The bluebells from late April, especially in the southern and western parts of the wood, are among the best in the area, which means spring weekends can be busy; a weekday visit, or autumn, is calmer. Dogs must be on a lead, and there are no facilities.