Forest bathing at Abbot’s Wood

Abbot's Wood is an ancient woodland just outside Polegate, cared for by Forestry England, with a medieval lake near its heart. It is good for wildlife: dormice live here, nightingales sing in early spring, and on summer evenings there are bats, glow worms and nightjars. Nearly thirty kinds of butterfly have been recorded, including the rare pearl-bordered fritillary.

From the car park, the yellow Abbot's Amble keeps mostly to gravel forest roads, while the brown Oak Wood Walk goes deeper on earth paths under the oaks. The oak walk is the quieter choice, but both trails get very muddy in winter and after rain, so boots help. There is a play area and picnic tables near the car park, so the far side of the wood is the place for stillness. A parkrun uses the wood on Saturday mornings.