Forest bathing at Kings Wood, Heath and Reach

Kings Wood lies between Heath and Reach and Great Brickhill, and together with part of neighbouring Bakers Wood it forms the largest area of ancient woodland in Bedfordshire. It is the heart of the Kings Wood and Rushmere National Nature Reserve, the county's largest. The wood sits on greensand capped with chalky boulder clay, so birch, sessile oak, bracken and heather grow on the sandy parts, and ash, pedunculate oak and hornbeam on the clay. It is known for small-leaved lime, a locally rare native tree, and for the county's largest population of lily-of-the-valley.

There are no public rights of way, but you can walk along the rides, and there are no picnic tables or other facilities in the wood itself, which keeps it quiet. Park at the Stockgrove entrance of Rushmere Country Park, where the nearest toilets and café are. The rides are uneven and often muddy, so wear boots. Dogs must be on a lead and cycling is not allowed. In summer look for silver-washed fritillary and white admiral butterflies along the sunny rides.