Forest bathing at Dunwich Forest

Dunwich Forest covers about 640 acres north-west of the village of Dunwich, close to the Suffolk coast. It was planted with conifers, and it is now being rewilded towards the landscape that was here before the plantations: grazed woodland, lowland heath, and a mix of coniferous and broadleaved trees. Dartmoor ponies graze the northern part, and the forest runs down to marshland and wetland, with a bird hide for watching it. It feels more open and changeable than a standard plantation.

A circular walk of about four miles, marked with orange-topped posts, takes you through the different parts of the forest. The forest is open day and night all year to walkers, cyclists and riders. Husky teams train in the northern part early in the morning and late in the afternoon, so the middle of the day is quieter there. There are no designated accessible parking spaces, and no toilets are listed, so plan ahead. Westleton and Dunwich are the nearest villages.