Forest bathing at Royden Park and Thurstaston Common

Royden Park and Thurstaston Common sit side by side on the high ground of west Wirral, near Frankby. Royden is a council country park with expansive woodland, heath and a walled garden. Thurstaston Common, next door, is a Site of Special Scientific Interest jointly owned by the National Trust and Wirral Council: wet and dry heath dominated by heather, marshy grassland, and birch and oak woodland. Thor's Stone, a large sandstone outcrop, stands near the top of Thurstaston Hill.

Royden Park is the easiest start, with a car park, café, visitor centre and toilets. From there, woodland and heathland walks lead across to the common. The birch and oak woods are sheltered; the heath and hilltop are open and windy, with long views. Late summer brings the heather into flower. Paths are sandy and uneven, with some rocky sections up the hill.