Forest bathing at Dumfries House

Dumfries House is an estate of more than 2,000 acres of woodland and gardens near Cumnock, with the Lugar Water running through it. Paths cross mature policy woodlands, with new bridges over the Estate Burn and a restored listed bridge linking the house to the arboretum and walled garden. The arboretum holds more than 500 specimen trees along with shrubs and woodland flowers, two lochans on its east side and a woodland shelter built by King's Foundation students.

The estate is free to enter on foot and open every day from dawn to dusk; only the walled garden has a small charge. Parking is free for most visitors, though people travelling from more than 20 miles away pay a small charge. Pick up a map at the visitor centre, next to the shop and the Coach House Café. The area around the café and the woodland adventure playground is the busy hub, so head for the arboretum and the woodland paths further out for quieter time among the trees.