Forest bathing at Wyndcliff Wood

Wyndcliff Wood is ancient woodland of beech and huge yew on the cliffs above a bend in the River Wye, north of Chepstow. At the top is the Eagle's Nest, a viewpoint built in 1828 for the Duke of Beaufort, looking over the river towards the Severn bridges and, on a clear day, the Cotswolds and Mendips. The 18th-century Piercefield Walk and the Wye Valley Walk both pass through.

Start at the free Lower Wyndcliff car park on the A466, and take care crossing the road to the trail. The Eagle's Nest Trail is only about a mile and a quarter but it is strenuous: steep, uneven paths and long flights of steps, with handrails on some and steep drops at the side. You can climb the 365 Steps or take a linear route that avoids them. This is a wood to take slowly, with the yews and beech close around you on the climb.