Forest bathing at Studley Royal Deer Park

The deer park at Studley Royal wraps around the Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal water garden, a National Trust World Heritage Site near Ripon. It is open parkland rather than closed woodland: big old trees standing apart, a lime avenue, lines of oak, and around 300 wild deer grazing between them. The Trust has waymarked a deer park walk and an ancient trees walk, which are a good excuse to stop under one tree for a while.

Start from the Fountains Abbey visitor centre, where the main car park is free, or the Studley car park at the other end of the estate. The deer park walk is mostly flat footpaths and bridleways, though the estate has steep slopes, uneven ground and deep water in places, so boots help. Away from the abbey and water garden, the parkland is much quieter. Toilets are at each entrance and the restaurant is at the visitor centre.