Forest bathing at The Lodge, RSPB Sandy

The Lodge is the RSPB's nature reserve on the edge of Sandy, around its headquarters. It mixes heathland, the largest stretch in Bedfordshire, with acid grassland, hilly oak woodland, farmland and part of an old sand quarry. The RSPB is gradually taking out non-native trees and letting oak and birch take their place, so the woodland here is changing over time.

Start from the visitor centre and shop, where there are toilets and a café. The path from there to The Lodge house and gardens is level, if slightly uneven in places, and makes an easy first loop. Beyond it the trails climb and dip through the woods, with some steeper, stepped sections, and that is where it gets quieter. Download the trail map from the RSPB before you go. Dogs are allowed only on the Skylark Trail, a bridleway, and must be kept on a lead there.