Forest bathing at Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest

Bedgebury is the National Pinetum, an internationally significant collection of conifers, wrapped in a working forest run by Forestry England. Together the pinetum and forest cover around 3,500 acres near Goudhurst. The pinetum is planted around a chain of lakes, including Marshals Lake, so you can walk from one group of trees to another in a few minutes and stop wherever something holds your attention. It suits a slow visit: there is always another tree to look at closely, and plenty of benches.

Most people start at the visitor centre, which is busy at weekends with cyclists, families and the Gruffalo and Room on the Broom trails. The waymarked Pinetum trail is an easy access route suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs, and there is a sensory walk too. For quieter ground, walk away from the play area and the cycle routes into the wider forest. The site is gated and closes earlier in winter, and in late November and December it closes early for the Christmas light trail, so check times before you go.