Forest bathing and mindful nature walks are a simple, powerful way to reduce stress, restore mental clarity and support overall wellness. Sometimes it’s difficult to find the time for yourself, which is why holidays are a great opportunity to try new wellness practises. Come and discover how Somerset offers countless ways to reconnect with what matters most, and look out for our free how-to guide to forest bathing at the end of this post
What is Forest Bathing and Why Try It on Holiday
It can be a challenge to fit nature-based wellness into daily life, which is why, with fewer commitments and more free time, holidays are ideal for putting down your devices and immersing yourself in nature.
Forest bathing involves spending time in the forest, focusing on your breath and the sights, sounds, smells and feelings of nature. In Japan, it’s known as shinrin-yoku and was recognised as an important aspect of wellness in the 1980s, encouraging people to slow down and immerse themselves mindfully in natural landscapes as an antidote to a rapidly modernising world.
Nature Walks on Holiday
If you’re not sure about forest bathing, simply getting outside and going for a walk is good for anyone’s wellbeing. You can still bring in elements of mindfulness, but you’re free to set your own pace and level of challenge. Research has shown that as little as 20 minutes spent out in green spaces has a positive effect on our mental and physical wellness. Check out our free forest bathing guide at the end of this post for ideas on how to bring mindfulness into your nature walks.
Forest Bathing and Nature Walks: Benefits You’ll Feel
Refreshed, clear, energised – those are just a few of the benefits of forest bathing and nature walks. Some you will feel immediately, and others may show themselves to you over time, but ultimately, you are doing yourself a favour by getting outside.
Mental Clarity
Compared to urban environments, green spaces spark improved cognitive function and clarity by reducing mental fatigue. Participants in studies have demonstrated improved cognitive flexibility and attention span after spending time in forests.
Reduced Anxiety
Forests stimulate positive emotional responses, leading to clearer thinking and less stress. Your body also produces less cortisol while relaxing in nature, which helps calm the sympathetic nervous system and, in turn, reduces anxiety.
Better Sleep
With lower cortisol levels and a greater sense of physical and mental wellbeing, many people find that their sleep improves, which in turn supports a healthy and resilient mindset.
Why Somerset Is Perfect for Wellness in Nature
Somerset’s rugged landscapes and ancient woodlands, teeming with wildlife and crisscrossed by idyllic footpaths, are ideal for nature-based wellness. There are plenty of peaceful spaces to ground yourself and ease into the mental and physical benefits of forest bathing. Settled in the Mendip Hills, Walnut Barn Estate has the stunning Mendip Hills National Landscape right on the doorstep. With an easily accessible mix of ancient woodland, hilltop downs and plunging gorges, Somerset is one of the most beautiful places to embark on your wellness journey.
Ideal Pairings: Forest Bathing, Nature Walks and Your Holiday Cottage
Holidays are the perfect time for slow travel, easy mornings and meaningful connections; nature walks and forest bathing help deepen relaxation and enrich the holiday experience. However, that doesn’t mean leaving modern conveniences behind! Walnut Barn Estate offers a range of luxury accommodation perfectly suited to a DIY retreat for everyone from romantic pairs to large groups of friends. Take the opportunity to curate your own wellness weekend with your significant other, or organise a group retreat for friends and colleagues.
Find Your Next Holiday Cottage Retreat
For groups of 16-18 people, The Big Oak Barn and The Old Dairy offer plenty of space for yoga and pampering sessions plus private gardens and large kitchens for hearty communal meals. They each come equipped with a sauna and hot tub, and guests can round out the evening around the fire in the Arctic Cabin. Romantic couples can snuggle up in the cosy Orchard View Yurt or Lady’s Well Shepherds Hut, with their private gardens and hot tubs perfect for post-walk soaks, or choose a charming luxury cottage for a cosy mini-retreat.
All of our holiday accommodations have free WiFi, so you can still catch up on your favourite shows and stay connected as much (or little) as you wish. After all, wellness is all about balance!
Wellness at Walnut Barn Estate
Enjoy a well-appointed luxury stay that invites you to unwind and reconnect with yourself. Features to look forward to include:
Hot tubs
Saunas
Arctic Cabins with firepit
Log burners
Private gardens
Nearby woodland walks
Pick your perfect getaway accommodation and add a pamper package to your booking for the ultimate wellness retreat.
Local Walks for Wellness
Here are some of our favourite walks and destinations near us in Somerset. From peaceful woodlands to wide open skies, Somerset offers natural spaces that let you slow down and reconnect. Check out apps like Komoot, AllTrails and OS Maps to help you navigate your next walk.
Forest Bathing
Hutton Wood – accessible by footpath from Walnut Barn Estate
Nature Walks
- Crook Peak – accessible from King’s Wood in Winscombe
Book Holiday Wellness Getaways in Somerset
If you’re planning a countryside break in a holiday cottage, it’s the perfect chance to slow down and reset. Surrounded by quiet lanes, ancient woodlands and open skies, Walnut Barn Estate holiday cottages offer the ideal setting for forest bathing and nature walks – simple, proven ways to reduce stress and support your overall wellness. Whether you’re away as a couple or with a group, nature on your doorstep makes stress relief effortless.
How to Do Forest Bathing from Your Cottage Doorstep – a Step-by-Step Guide
Pick a destination, or just step outside and begin when the moment feels right. Remember, forest bathing is about mindfulness, not exertion. The focus is on your breath and your senses – tune in to the sensations of nature and how it makes you feel.
Ready to try forest bathing? Here’s a quick guide on how to do it:
Go Technology-Free
Take off the smart watch and put your phone on airplane mode. Spend the first few minutes opening up to the experience – let go of distractions and avoid the urge to look at your devices. Take a few deep breaths and observe your surroundings.
Tune In To Your Senses
Now that you’ve settled in, spend a few minutes on each of your senses.
See
Look at shapes, colours, textures, shades of light and dark, whatever catches your attention. Study delicate, brushy hairs of moss, the creviced bark of a tree or the different shades of green that surround you.
Smell
What’s on the air? Damp earth, piles of leaves, wildflowers let your nose roam free as you breathe deeply and concentrate on the sensations and thoughts it brings you.
Touch
Engage your whole body to feel the sensations under, over and around you. Are you sitting on a log or standing barefoot in the grass? Can you feel a breeze playing over your face? How do sensations change as you move or stay still?
Hear
Listen to your surroundings – the rustle of leaves brushed by a breeze, birds singing, branches creaking, even your own heartbeat. Turn your head, cup your hands around your ears, crouch down and stand up – observe how your movements affect what you can hear.
Taste
Without tasting anything directly, you can still tune in to your sense of taste. Try some deep breathing, and see if the smells you sense have a flavour.
Embrace the sensations you feel and try to sit with them. Allow your body and mind to come into the present moment, and treasure the opportunity you’ve given yourself to unwind.