Forest bathing at Bourne Wood

Bourne Wood covers about 282 hectares on the western edge of the market town of Bourne, in South Kesteven. It is the largest of the Bourne Woodlands looked after by Forestry England. Much of it is ancient woodland ground that was later planted, with a mix of broadleaved and coniferous trees and bracken under them, and Forestry England's plan is to restore these areas gradually to native woodland. That makes it a place of change, with old and new woodland side by side.

There are no waymarked walking trails, just winding paths and forest roads, which suits a wander without a fixed route; take a map or a phone with a map. The ground is quite bumpy, so pushchairs and wheelchairs will struggle. The car parks are free, with a hard surface, and there is a picnic area. Cyclists use the forest roads, so the smaller paths are the quieter ones. The wood is open every day from dawn until dusk.