Forest bathing at Fineshade Wood

Fineshade Wood sits just off the A43, halfway between Stamford and Corby, in the north of Northamptonshire. Forestry England's visitor hub is at Top Lodge, where the Grounds Café occupies a historic courtyard. The wood runs out from here into named spinneys and joins neighbouring woods such as Westhay, and the long-distance Jurassic Way passes through it for about three miles. It is a good place to come for an easy start, then a long, quiet walk.

Most people start at Top Lodge, where there are toilets, a Changing Places facility, accessible benches and play areas. The family cycle trail, the Room on the Broom trail and mountain bike routes all begin nearby, so the centre can be busy. For quiet, follow the Jurassic Way into North Spinney or the paths towards the site of Fineshade Abbey, where snowdrops come up in late winter. The car park has seasonal hours and payment is cashless.