Bathe in woodland wellbeing 

“Thank you for such a lovely experience. There was something about today that made for pure happiness. The chiffcaff singing. The chatter of fieldfares on their migration. The smell of the wild garlic. The smokey fire. Sunshine unexpectedly. The pale yellow primroses. The company of kind, interested friendly people. Delicious food. What a special day”.  

Dedicate some time to your own well-being. Relax, learn new skills and enjoy some social time around a camp fire with other like-minded people. 

We provide opportunities for ‘me time’ in a tranquil ancient woodland setting, surrounded by fields and with no public access; a great place to feel at ease and foster feelings of personal ease. The only visitors to the woodland are those who are invited, together with the birds and animals who choose to make the woodland their home. 

Inspired by the Japanese practice of Forest Bathing (Shinrin-yoku) and mindfulness, our sessions provide ‘space’ to dedicate some time to your own wellbeing through guided and self-directed activities. An opportunity to simply be in nature and be guided to connect with it through the senses of sight, smell, hearing and touch. The aim of the sessions are to send you home feeling relaxed and at ease with yourself, having developed skills to be fascinated by nature. The whole experience is about engaging the senses through connection with nature, which in turn helps relax and soothe body and mind.

Scientific research has proved that reconnecting with nature can reduce stress, improve the immune system and accelerate recovery from physical illness and mental distress.  

During the retreat sessions we will guide you in how to deepen your connection with nature, using simple exercises you can continue to use at home.  Once you’ve developed insight into how you can effectively  tune into what’s going on around you in nature  you’ll be amazed by how much more you notice and the benefits to  body and mind delivered from the experience.

There is a wealth of data that proves that time spent connecting with nature can help you to:  

• De-stress and replenish energy levels
• Improve your mood
• Decrease anxiety
• Reduce blood pressure
• Improve your concentration, creativity, and memory
• Increase resilience levels
• Calm emotional states
• Improve your sense of life satisfaction

Sessions are led by Susan Collini, B.Ed (Hons), Small Woods OCN trainer for Social Forestry, a level 3 Mindfulness In The Woods practitioner, and Forest School leader. 

3 hour wellbeing retreats, monthly on Sundays 

Our Sunday wellbeing retreats (10 a.m. – 1 p.m.) will be designed to promote nature connection through activities as a group and as individuals. The cost is £25 per person and includes refreshments and a simple vegetarian lunch. To give you a flavour, a session may include:

• Guided nature connection meditations
• Mindful woodland walk
• Nature immersion activities
• Forest Bathing
• Barefoot walking
• Art/craftwork using natural materials
• Making own paints from natural materials
• Hapa Zome
• Madalas
• Cooking food over a campfire 

Dates for Autumn 2019 are 

Sunday October 27th

Sunday November 17th 

Sunday December 15th

Book all 3 events and save £10