Forest bathing at Lesnes Abbey Woods

Lesnes Abbey Woods covers about 73 hectares of ancient woodland rising behind the ruins of an abbey founded in 1178 by Richard de Luci. Augustinian canons lived there until 1525, and the floor plan is complete enough to walk from room to room. Above the ruins the woods climb to a heathland clearing at the highest point, and there is an arboretum with more than sixty kinds of tree. It is also known for the largest population of wild daffodils in London, and for a fossil pit where you can dig for shark teeth.

Abbey Wood station is about ten minutes' walk, which makes this one of the easiest ancient woods in London to reach by train. The abbey ruins are the obvious first stop; head uphill into the trees and up to the heath for quieter ground. From February to April the daffodils flower in fenced areas; they are at their best then. Street parking nearby is very limited at weekends, and there are pay car parks by the station.