Forest bathing in South Gloucestershire

South Gloucestershire is farmland and villages between Bristol and the Cotswold edge, but it holds one exceptional wood. Lower Woods, between Wickwar and Hawkesbury Upton, is one of the largest ancient woodlands in the south-west: nearly 300 hectares of oak, ash and coppice divided by grassy rides, run by Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. On the Cotswold scarp, Dyrham Park has National Trust parkland and beech. Closer to Bristol, Warmley Forest Park at Siston is young community woodland by the old railway, and Wick Golden Valley is a wooded valley on the River Boyd.

Forest bathing is a slow, guided couple of hours or more in a small group, with simple invitations to notice, breathe and sit rather than any set route. The ground covered is tiny. Lower Woods is as quiet as anywhere near Bristol, while Warmley is on the Bristol and Bath Railway Path, so you can arrive by bike. Each guide's profile lists their dates and prices.

Lower Woods has a small free car park and three waymarked trails, with flatter paths near the entrance; it can be muddy in winter. Dyrham Park offers an easier day with a large car park, cafe and surfaced paths.