by This year, a forest swimming garden was awarded as the winner of the RHS Chelsea Best in Show, proving that you don’t have to travel halfway around the world to experience the practice. But what is forest bathing?
Known in Japan as shinrin yokuforest bathing encourages taking time to be quiet and still amongst the trees, being in the moment and absorbing the sights and sounds around you and feeling more connected to nature.
Research has shown that even as little as 15 minutes spent among the trees can lower cortisol levels, boost the immune system and reduce anxiety. There are plenty of places in Britain where you can experience the healing power of trees, albeit in a less structured DIY style than in Japan.
So here are our suggestions on where to go to experience forest swimming in Britain. Don’t forget to switch off your phone before you go – and leave your camera behind.
Hampshire and Gloucestershire
Forest Holidays – a partner of Forestry England – has rangers trained as forest therapy guides, offering free 90-minute forest bathing sessions. The gentle walks encourage people to get in touch with nature. Each tour will end with a tea ceremony – the brew made from local foraged plants. From £710 for a 4-night break at the Forest of Dean in September (03330 110495; forestholidays.co.uk).
Herefordshire
Glamping specialist Canopy & Stars has a huge collection of woodland sites for a shinrin-yoku break Among them is Fifinella Retreat, a unique Scandi-inspired log cabin designed and built by the owner, Zac. You can enjoy gentle seclusion flanked by ancient woodland and views of the Black Mountains from the deck. Cabin from £180 per night, sleeps 2 (0117 204 7830; www.canopyandstars.co.uk).
Norfolk
The owner of Happy Valley glamping retreat in north west Norfolk is a keen advocate for forest swimming. Katy Coe shepherd huts, tree cabins, teepees and bell tents are set amongst the tall trees and she provides maps and information to all guests, offers a guided tour of the immediate woodland space and provides hammocks for guests to relax on. absorb the atmosphere of the forest. From £99 per night for a two-person bell tent; book via happyvalleynorfolk.co.uk.
Staffordshire
Forestry England recommends a step out in Cannock Chase Forest on the 2.5-mile loop that takes in Fairoak Valley and the pools, which are an important habitat for the area’s wild deer.
Staffordshire Community Forest Services provide a free course to deepen your understanding of the benefits of forest bathing with classes in outdoor breathing exercises, barefoot walking and the art of foraging amongst the trees.
Stay nearby at The Tawny Hotel (Huts from £250) and you can book a forest swimming experience in the stunning 70-acre rewilded grounds, followed by a retreat to the heated outdoor pool.
Lanark
You can find otters, badgers and more than 100 species of birds at the Falls of Clyde reserve near Lanarkshire in Scotland – not to mention four spectacular waterfalls alongside well-marked woodland tracks. Visit from January to March to see otters in the wild or April to August for a beautiful display of woodland wildflowers.
The sanctuary is on the Clyde Walkway, which leads to the nearby World Heritage site of New Lanark, a former 18th century cotton spinning mill village on the banks of the Clyde with a hotel. Doubles from £85 single room; houses cost from £129 per night.
On the Lanrick Estate, Kip Hideaways has treehouse accommodation with alfresco baths and a woodland sauna. The Pipin tree house sleeps 4. Prices from £210 per night, 2 night minimum; (www.kiphideaways.com).
Cornwall
Another Canopy & Stars recommendation is Lost Meadow in Cornwall, where you stay in a cedar-covered sphere suspended in the trees. There are beautiful views down to the river and 20 acres of woodland for secluded forest bathing. The tree pod sleeps two and costs £115 per night (book as above).
Treehouse stays are perfect for immersing yourself in the beauty (and silence) of the forest, and they don’t come much more nature-focused than at Kudhva, an architect-designed off-the-grid glamping site near Tintagel and Port Issac . The stilt huts start from £100 per night for a minimum of two nights.
Somerset
One of the largest and most beautiful ancient oak woods in Britain, Horner Wood on the Holnicote Estate in Somerset was historically used to produce wood for fuel and craft hand tools, and winter fodder for stock. Today the old oak walls are home to woodpeckers, woodpeckers and woodpeckers. Book at Holnicote Lower House, a five-bed thatched cottage managed by the National Trust, prices from £700 for two nights.
An hour across the border in Devon, and attracting the Center Parcs crowd, is the Mole Resort (01769 540561; themoleresort.co.uk), which offers two-bedroom lodges from £168 a night, based on a three-night stay. .
The New Forest
You’ll find miles of ancient woodland, much of it unchanged since William the Conqueror declared it his royal hunting ground in 1079. Paths and cycle tracks lead to peaceful glades conducive to meditation and forest bathing – wooded areas over to be beautiful all around. Bolderwood car park and visitor site. See the Forestry website for details.
Lime Wood Hotel is located within the sylvan New Forest National Park and offers a one-day ‘Wild Wanderings’ retreat, including forest bathing, pilates, breathwork and sound healing for £265 per person. Rooms at Limewood start from £495 per night.
Pembrokeshire
Other trust property suitable for present of shinrin-yoku it is Colby Wood Garden in Pembrokeshire. Set in a leafy valley, there are stunning sea views and you can de-stress under Britain’s tallest Japanese redwood (nationaltrust.org.uk). The two-bedroom Colby Rose Cottage is managed by the National Trust, with prices from £520 for two nights.
Kent
According to the team at Badgells Wood, this site on the Kent Downs is “as close to a wild camping experience as you can get.” The team has the opportunity to immerse yourself in our beautiful ancient woodland and let nature, and the magic of the campfire, send you home feeling healthy, energized and relaxed.” Perfect for relieving the pressures of the modern world. Camp in tents and camper vans from £24 per adult per night, £12 child. (badgellswoodcamping.co.uk).
Lake District
Cumbria has plenty of ancient mountain and lakeside forests to explore and at Whinlatter Jen Grange of Lakeland Wellbeing runs her wild wellbeing experiences, from first swims and mindfulness to hunting, full moon circles and Reiki courses. Jen says the area is a great place to relax and heal; in nature there is no birth, only acceptance and room to breathe.”
Having worked in conservation for many years, Jen now instills the importance of a respect for nature in everyone who takes her classes, which can be booked as part of a group or as an experience under private guidance. Stay at Armathwaite Hall, Keswick, Cumbria, which also offers its own ‘Forest and Moonlight Swimming Experience’. Rooms from £199 per night.
Nottinghamshire
A spa day might not be entirely shinrin-yoku in the spirit, but the Aqua Sana Spa at Center Parcs in Sherwood Forest includes a forest meditation immersion zone with a glass wall overlooking the forest and a 32-foot-tall tree sauna with views across the forest. canopy. There are two outdoor hot tubs in the forest and a wide range of de-stress treatments. Spa days cost from £119 per person from Monday to Friday and can be visited as an external guest on the day. (0344 826 6205: aquasana.co.uk ).
