Forest bathing and leaf peeping may sound like unusual outdoor activities, but they could be just what you need if you’re looking to de-stress in the natural environment. They are ways in which we can embrace the changing of the seasons and autumn, or, as the 19th-century poet John Keats (1795-1821) called it, the “season of mists and mellow fruitfulness”. Although Keats was famous for immersing himself in nature to craft his poetry, the origins of leaf peeping and forest bathing actually come from beyond England’s green and pleasant shores…
Free Spirit’s Guide to Forest Bathing and Leaf Peeping
Forest bathing and leaf peeping may sound like unusual outdoor activities. Learn the origins of leaf peeping and forest bathing beyond England's shores...
Posted Friday, 14 November 2025
Forest Bathing
What is forest bathing and who invented it?
The modern concept of forest bathing originated in Japan in the 1980s, where it is known as “Shinrin-yoku“– the art and science of forest bathing. Inspired by ancient Shinto and Buddhist practices, it is commonly used as a stress prevention measure in Japanese culture. Today, it’s a way we can disconnect from the digital world and slow down, by immersing ourselves in nature. Most people are aware that being outside can enhance your mood, but forest bathing involves being quiet and still under the trees. The term “bathing” is used here to signify immersion in the forest environment, in the same way that taking a swim, floating in a pool, or lying in a bath tub submerges you in water. You can go to the woods, a park or even a tree-lined street to experience forest bathing – the choice is yours. Simply use your senses and tune into the natural environment around you…
Relax amongst the trees
Begin your tree-based, stress-relieving experience in a park or wooded area. You could even choose a quiet, wooded street with grassy verges large enough to lie or sit down upon. Walk through the trees, or lie on the grass. Gaze across the sky, listen to the rustling of leaves, the buzzing of insects or other sounds in the distance. Feel the texture of the tree trunks and observe the different shadows cast by branches in the sunlight. When we notice new physical and emotional sensations, we remember that we’re part of nature – not detached from it. Breathe in the aroma of honeysuckle, lavender or fresh-cut grass. We sometimes filter out our senses, so you may be surprised how this experience can make things more prominent. If you’re forest bathing in summer or early autumn, you could even taste woodland fruit, such as blackberries. Allowing yourself to be curious will lead you to explore and immerse yourself in nature – you may even choose to walk around barefoot!
For more tips and activities to help you unwind in the natural world, the National Trust has a handy forest bathing guide. Here you’ll find everything you need to know about the mental and physical boosts this outdoor pursuit can provide.
Forest Bathing Benefits
Forest bathing can be the antidote to the stresses of modern-day living and has many benefits. Just pausing within a natural setting can help us switch our nervous system from fight-or-flight to rest-and-digest mode. Doing this enables us to relax and respond to our senses. Soaking up a forest atmosphere and its calming effects can also reawaken thoughts, associations and memories.
Why is forest bathing is good for your health?
The contemporary practice of forest bathing actually started in Japan as a form of preventative healthcare because of the positive therapeutic effects it has on our immune, cardiovascular and respiratory systems. It also enhances our mental health and wellbeing. In Japanese medicine and healthcare, it’s described as a form of nature therapy.
As Keats expressed in his works, you could argue that forest bathing has always been a natural activity that people have been engaging in since the dawn of humanity. However, 200 years on from the Romantic poet’s death, our lives are far busier and filled with work, technology and too many hours spent indoors. This has resulted in the conscious need to return to our original, natural state of being outdoors, to reap the benefits.
Let’s take a look at the key health benefits of forest bathing:
- An improvement in sleeping patterns, because focusing on a forest’s smells, sounds, sights, tastes and textures can bring a deeper sense of relaxation
- An increase in energy
- It reduces blood pressure
- Your immune system is enhanced
- It increases your creativity and ability to deal with stress and trauma, by reducing psychological stress hormones and depression symptoms
- Your overall physical and mental health is given a boost, leaving you refreshed and relaxed
Like forest bathing, the associated activity of leaf peeping provides us with similar health benefits…
Leaf Peeping
What is leaf peeping?
Leaf peeping is a term that originated in North America. It’s used to describe the activity of spending time visiting national parks and places of natural beauty, to view and take photos of the changing of the seasons. As the name suggests, it’s about observing or “peeping” at the leaves as they change from green to yellow, red and gold.
When is leaf peeping season?
In the UK, leaf peeping season starts in late September and finishes in early November. During this time, as the leaves fall and cover the ground, nature provides a colourful playground to walk amongst. It’s also a beautiful backdrop to observe from a car, train or bus window, or as you pedal along on a cycle ride.
In the recent years, self-driving holidays have grown in popularity across the UK. So why not combine your next autumn vacation with some time spent forest bathing and leaf peeping? You could include riverside walks, wildlife watching and woodland strolls to keep you full of life and positivity as the trees shed their leaves when the nights begin to draw in. Book some comfortable accommodation in a delightful UK destination of your choice. Just remember to take sturdy shoes or walking boots, warm clothes and waterproofs, so nothing can spoil you outdoor excursions.
Whether you go forest bathing or leaf peeping, or combine the two, here are some inspirational ideas for your next woodland escape. We’ve taken a look at some choice locations where you can immerse yourself in nature during an autumn holiday in the UK…
Forest Bathing Holidays and Retreats
For forest bathing getaways to soothe the mind and senses, here are some of the best UK destinations to visit:
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Gloucestershire
Home to the Forest of Dean, grassy meadows, the Wye Valley and the 500ft-limestone outcrop known as Symonds Yat Rock, Gloucestershire offers an outdoor adventure throughout the year. In autumn, take stroll through the enchanted world of Puzzlewood, while listening to birdsong. In spring, sit within ancient woodlands to breathe in the aroma of wild garlic amongst the bluebells. When summer arrives, drift along the River Wye by canoe and look out for wild boar, roe deer and pine martens as night falls.
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South Wales
Seek out a forest bathing retreat in Monmouthshire, South Wales. With a trained forest guide, go on a sensory adventure in the woods! During a 2-3 mile walk in the woodlands of Hill Farm and the Wye Valley, you’ll learn how and why Shinrin-yoku works. At the end of the day, you’ll leave with a range of techniques to practice in your own local surroundings throughout your everyday life.
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Northern Ireland
Fancy a holiday in Northern Ireland? Spend time connecting with nature at Killeavy Castle Estate in County Armagh. You’ll find the estate at the foot of the volcanic mountain Slieve Gullion, within the magical Ring of Gullion. An accredited Meditation Teacher fully certified in Shinrin-yoku will empower you to get the most out of forest bathing. Connect with nature by entering an immersive experience in which you focus on stimulating one sense at a time. When your mind is fully refreshed, nourish your body by tucking into locally forged food.
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Hampshire
For a short break, visit Blackwood Forest in Hampshire. During your peaceful woodland escape, follow the trails of marked paths or discover your own unmarked woodland trail to spot some of the most unique wildlife in the UK. This location is home to the elusive, beautiful Purple Emperor butterfly. Admire beach trees in autumn, taste delicate wild strawberries in spring and summer and look out for caterpillars, as you take in the aroma of fragrant bright berries.
Leaf Peeping Holidays
For forays in the UK amongst the falling leaves, head for the following lush locations…
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The New Forest
If you want to combine forest bathing and leaf peeping, Hampshire’s New Forest is a great place to start. Take a wander through the trees and bathe yourself in the New Forest’s ancient woodlands. Tread carefully down the Knightwood Oak Trail, which is listed as one of the best in the UK to view autumnal colours. Cycle along Arboretum Ornamental Drive (a top leaf-peeping spot), which will lead you to Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary, where can you view free-roaming deer. During mid-September to late November, you’ll also spot domestic pigs throughout the forest tucking into acorns that adorn the ground. This period is called pannage, during which commoners can exercise a historic right to turn out their pigs to forage. It’s also beneficial for New Forest ponies and cattle, as the acorns are poisonous to these animals.
Leaf Peeping Holidays
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Leaf Peeping in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley
Bordering England and Wales, the Forest of Dean (Gloucestershire) and Wye Valley (Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire) are home to 20 million mixed species of trees, such as ash, birch and beech. It’s also the only place in the UK to have a leaf peeping drive. Throughout a long weekend, you can embrace the changing of the seasons during a 50-mile drive along a wooded trail. Start from Symonds Yat Rock and stop at 10 different leaf peeping viewpoints. Drive through dense deciduous woods, following the River Wye along ash riverbanks, to arrive at Tintern Abbey. Trundle along through the Forest of Dean, heading for Puzzlewood and unbroken woodlands. Finally, head for the medieval castle of Goodrich, which looks down over colourful forests at Kerne Bridge.
For a full list of all the locations on the drive, take a look at the leaf peeping guide created by the Forest of Dean and the Wye Valley tourism team, which highlights leaf peeping walks, hotspots and escapes.
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The Lake District, Cumbria
Visitors are always welcome to explore the Lake District during leaf peeping season from mid-October. Situated three miles south of Keswick, you find the parish of Borrowdale. Once full of scattered hamlets, you’ll now find numerous guest houses, campsites, hostels and other forms of tourist accommodation. Take a stroll through Borrowdale’s wooded valley. Here, you’ll admire the leaves from dense forest trees that are ruby red, burnt orange, golden yellow and deep purple. Also, if you take a visit to the promontory of Friar’s Crag, you’ll be rewarded with more splendid views of ancient trees that sit around lovely Lake Derwentwater.
Leaf Peeping Holidays
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Scotland
Leaf peeping in scenic Scotland is guaranteed to be a magical experience. If you’re an avid photographer, capture the beauty of the moment in its best light by visiting at the end of the summer during the transition into early autumn. There may be a slight chill in the air, but with the sun on your face, you’ll still appreciate the warmth of the forest as you wander throughout the colourful woodlands. In the Galloway Forest Park in southern Scotland, follow the Glentrool Trail around Lock Trool. In the west of the country, feel refreshed and reinvigorated as you visit the Trossachs National Park. You can also look out for red deer amid the russet mosaic of autumnal colour in Glen Affric, within the majestic Highlands in the north.
Top accommodation for an autumn adventure
Here are three recommendations for restful places to stay during your woodland excursions…
- Lounge in a luxury lodge or holiday cottage after a long day of walking with the outdoors on your doorstep
- Book into a converted woodland barn with a cosy pub or two around the corner
- Stay in a top hotel with breakfast included, as well as a bar and private dining on site
Free Spirit Travel Insurance for Forest Bathing and Leaf Peeping
Whether you are immersing yourself in nature as a forest bathing beginner or leaf peeping newbie, embrace the beauty of the UK’s spectacular scenery. Don’t forget to take out Free Spirit Cover for your outdoor adventures, and travel, with confidence.