Forest bathing at Monkwood

Monkwood is an 84-hectare ancient woodland near Monkwood Green, north-west of Worcester, owned by Worcestershire Wildlife Trust and managed with Butterfly Conservation. It belonged to Worcester Priory for centuries and is first recorded by name in 1240. After clear-felling in the 1950s for brush-handle timber, the Trust bought it in the 1980s and has been restoring it since. Today it is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, with mature trees, coppice, small pools and sunny glades.

Park in the small car park at the entrance. The main path from there is surfaced but uneven; other paths through the wood and meadows are muddy and slippery when wet, so boots are a good idea for much of the year. Bluebells and wood anemones flower in the glades in spring. In summer 36 species of butterfly have been recorded, including white admiral and purple hairstreak. Dogs must be on a lead and you are asked to keep to the paths. There are no facilities.