Forest bathing at Forest Farm Country Park

Forest Farm is a Local Nature Reserve on the north-west edge of Cardiff, between Whitchurch and Radyr. It takes in the Glamorgan Canal and Long Wood Site of Special Scientific Interest, which is semi-natural ancient woodland. Alder carr fringes the old canal in places, and the River Taff runs alongside. There are woods of different ages, wetlands, open water and grassland, so it suits a slow wander and plenty of stopping to look.

Park at the free car park near the end of Forest Farm Road, by the Wardens Centre, or walk in from Radyr station. The canal path is the obvious route; the woods above it are where to find dog violet, wood anemone, bluebells and wild garlic in spring. Two bird hides look over the wetlands, where kingfisher and heron turn up, and they make a good place to sit still for a while. Paths by the water can be muddy after rain.