Forest bathing at Castle Neroche

Castle Neroche is a Forestry England wood in the Blackdown Hills near Buckland St Mary, growing over the earthworks of an Iron Age hillfort and the motte and bailey castle built here in the 11th century by Robert, Count of Mortain, William the Conqueror's half-brother. Near the car park the track runs through a tall corridor of trees, and there are veteran trees where you can picnic.

Most of the monument and the gentle circular walk inside the hillfort are within easy reach of the free car park, so it is a good place for a short, slow visit. The wider paths and bridleways are not waymarked, and the ground is steep in places, with steps, and can be wet, muddy and stony; there is no surfaced trail. From the top you look across the Vale of Taunton to the Quantocks and Exmoor.