Forest bathing at Garston Wood

Garston Wood is a 34-hectare RSPB reserve on Cranborne Chase, about two miles north of Sixpenny Handley, close to the Wiltshire border. It is ancient woodland of oak and beech with hazel coppice that has been managed for centuries; the coppice suits dormice, and the wood is known for nightingales, marsh tits and spotted flycatchers. Spring is the time to come: bluebells, wood anemones, primroses and wild garlic cover the floor from mid-April to the end of May.

The small car park, with room for about eight cars, is at the north-east corner, and a network of trails runs from there; the RSPB leaves leaflets and a map at the board. Paths range from wide cut rides to unsurfaced footpaths, with a latched deer-fence gate on one route and a narrow kissing gate on another. It is a small, quiet place with no toilets or other facilities, so plan around that. Dogs must stay on a lead and on public rights of way.