Forest bathing at Everdon Stubbs

Everdon Stubbs is a 29-hectare ancient wood on a hilltop between Everdon and Farthingstone, about six miles south of Daventry, owned by the Woodland Trust. It is one of the few ancient woods left in Northamptonshire, and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. English and sessile oak, birch, sweet chestnut and sycamore make up most of it, with rowan, field maple, wild cherry and a small stand of hornbeam. Its name probably comes from coppicing, and big old coppice stools remain. Part of it was once farmland, and ridge and furrow still shows under the trees.

There is a small car park for six to eight cars, plus roadside parking along the southern edge; the Everdon to Farthingstone road splits the wood in two. Paths and glades are unsurfaced and muddy when wet, and most entrances are squeeze gaps. A sensory trail of 12 posts gives you places to pause. Come in spring for wild daffodils and then bluebells. There are no toilets nearby.