Forest bathing in Blaenau Gwent

Blaenau Gwent is a county of steep valley sides, and most of its woodland clings to them. The valley slopes were planted with conifers after the pits closed, but older broadleaf survives in pockets. Silent Valley at Cwm, south of Ebbw Vale, is a local nature reserve managed with Gwent Wildlife Trust and holds one of the highest beech woods in Britain. At the top of the county, Parc Bryn Bach outside Tredegar is a reclaimed colliery site with a lake, young mixed woodland and a visitor centre.

A guided session here is likely to use a sheltered valley wood rather than the open tops: two or three hours moving slowly along one path, with time to sit under the beeches and listen to the stream. Any guide listed below shows dates, prices and meeting points on their profile.

Silent Valley is the place to start if you want old woodland: there is a small car park at the reserve entrance in Cwm and the lower trail through the beech is short and marked. Parc Bryn Bach is the easier first visit, with a large car park, a flat lakeside path and a cafe at the visitor centre.