Forest bathing at Lower Woods

Lower Woods, near Wickwar, is the most extensive area of ancient and semi-natural woodland in the former county of Avon: about 280 hectares made up of 23 woods and coppices whose boundaries have barely changed for centuries. Old grassy trenches, once roads, link them together. It is mostly traditional coppice with oak and ash over hazel, with field maple, holly and wild service tree, and it is managed by Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. It is big, quiet and feels properly rural.

Park at the small car park off Chase Lane on Inglestone Common; the track in is rough. Three waymarked walks start from here, with over 60 miles of paths in all, and the flatter paths near the car park suit all-terrain wheelchairs and pushchairs in a dry summer or early autumn. Elsewhere the clay gets very wet, so expect mud and wear boots. Spring brings bluebells, wood anemones and primroses, and from late April nightingales sing. There are no facilities apart from a few benches. From March to July dogs must be on a short lead.