Forest bathing at Strid Wood, Bolton Abbey

Strid Wood is one of the largest remnants of sessile oak woodland in the Yorkshire Dales, running along the River Wharfe on the Duke of Devonshire's Bolton Abbey estate. Its nature trails were opened to the public in 1810, and the estate still keeps a network of colour-coded, surfaced paths with seats placed along the way. That makes it an easy place to walk a little, sit, and listen to the river.

The usual start is the Cavendish Pavilion at the top of the Riverside car park, or the Strid Wood car park further north. The green trail on the west bank from the Pavilion to the Strid is suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. Bluebells come in late April and early May, followed by wild garlic. At the Strid itself the river squeezes through a narrow rock channel; it is dangerous, so stay well back from the edge and find your quiet spot elsewhere along the bank.