Festive Forest Walks and Winter Wellbeing
Sue Stuart-Smith’s masterpiece, ‘'The Well-Gardened Mind' and my plans for Christmas and New Year adventures
Tip: Begin your own journey on the Forestry England website.
This year, Dylan, Richard, and I have delved into numerous gardening books and case studies as we research and interview people for our upcoming Garden Tourism book, being published in 2024. One of the standouts is 'The Well-Gardened Mind’' by Sue Stuart-Smith, echoing Stephen Fry’s praise: "The wisest book I’ve read for many years. More than just a gardening book, it's a guide to better mental health, hugely recommended." My reading list now includes “Christopher Lloyd’s The Well-Tempered Garden,” inspired by Marian Boswall’s quotation in Gardens Illustrated, sourced from Sue’s website.
A Guardian review explains “Sue Stuart-Smith, a psychiatrist and psychotherapist, has a unique view of gardening: “I have come to understand that deep existential processes can be involved in creating and caring for a garden.” For her, a garden – such as her own at Serge Hill, Hertfordshire – is far more than just a much loved physical space. It is also a mental space, one that “gives you quiet, so you can hear your thoughts.” Sue’s book is about gardening but as the Guardian review points out "This is a life-affirming study of the special pleasures of tending your garden and growing things...[Stuart-Smith's] heartfelt arguments for the benefits of nature and gardening for our mental health are informed by research in neuroscience and the evidence of patients who have improved through therapeutic gardening." - The Guardian (UK)
Personally, I find equal joy in reading books as well as listening to audiobooks. And so, during my strolls through London's parks and gardens armed with my Spotify subscription, I often listen to gardening and nature podcasts or audio-books, which, for me, add a layer of tranquillity to my walks. Sue narrated her own book, and you can find it here (free with Premium subscription). It has accompanied me into many of my local gardens and offered quiet moments of contemplation usually with a coffee in hand. If you don’t have premium Spotify access to listen to the audio-book, then I recommend listening to this free and insightful 2-part interview with Sue on The Earth and Spirit Podcast.
In addition to my literary explorations, I'm actively seeking out gardens open for visits and picturesque nature walks to enjoy during the 2023 holiday season. My research extends to Christmas light trails and glow events at various gardens for an upcoming blog post, as well as events in forests and national parks. This has led me to Forestry England. They offer a lot of festive events and experiences, and I’m excited to share my findings below, hoping to inspire your own holiday adventures.
Forestry England manages over 1,500 woods and forests, attracting more than 230 million visits annually. They offer frosty woodland walks, family Christmas tree picking, and wellbeing trails - perfect for reconnection with nature and loved ones. Go to the Christmas page. It’s a time for rejuvenation.
The 'Find a Forest' feature on their website makes it easy to locate a nearby forest for an adventure. Here are the top 10 Forestry England locations:
Kielder Forest (Northumberland)
Sherwood Pines Forest Park (Nottinghamshire)
Westonbirt, The National Arboretum (Gloucestershire)
New Forest (Hampshire)
Forest of Dean (Gloucestershire)
Grizedale Forest (Cumbria)
Whinlatter Forest (Cumbria)
Alice Holt Forest (Surrey)
Dalby Forest (North Yorkshire)
Thetford Forest (Norfolk)
For a truly festive experience, don’t miss Westonbirt Arboretum, which requires pre-booking due to its popularity. Westonbirt Arboretum welcomes over 500,000 visitors annually. Tickets are available 7 days in advance. Note: The arboretum is closed on December 25, and visitors without pre-booked tickets may be turned away due to high demand. Pre-book at Forestry England's Westonbirt Page.
For nature lovers, a Forestry England membership for 2024 is a thoughtful gift. It offers year access to beautiful forests, event discounts, and supports conservation of England’s woodlands. To learn more, visit the Forestry England membership page.
Final thoughts to consider:
Embrace Nature for Wellbeing: Stuart-Smith's book highlights the therapeutic power of gardens and being in nature.
Explore Festive Events: Discover the magic of Christmas at Forestry England locations.
Plan Ahead: Pre-booking can enhance your visit, especially to popular destinations like Westonbirt Arboretum.
