Forest bathing in Cornwall

Cornwall is known for coast rather than trees, but the sheltered valleys inland hold some fine old woodland. Golitha Falls on the edge of Bodmin Moor is ancient oak around the River Fowey as it drops through a mossy gorge. Cardinham Woods near Bodmin is a larger Forestry England site of mixed conifer and broadleaf along a stream valley. In the far west, Tehidy Country Park near Camborne is the biggest wooded area in that end of the county, mostly beech and oak around lakes, and Kilminorth Woods at Looe is sessile oak falling to the tidal West Looe River.

Forest bathing in Cornwall tends to mean sheltered, damp, mossy woodland rather than big forest, which suits the practice well. Expect two to three hours of slow walking and long pauses, often beside running water, and a hot drink at the end. The guides below give their own dates, venues and prices on their profiles.

Cardinham Woods is the simplest first visit, with a pay and display car park, a cafe and a level riverside trail. Tehidy has free car parks and wide, well surfaced paths through the woods, and is reachable by bus from Camborne and Redruth.