You may have heard how important woods and trees are for storing carbon and supporting wildlife, but did you know they can also help our physical and mental wellbeing? For instance, exercising amongst woodland is a great way to increase your vitamin D, which in turn can help boost your immune system; it’s also been proven to improve your mood and reduce stress.
The Woodland Trust firmly believes that everyone should be able to access the benefits of trees and woodland, which is why it doesn’t charge a penny for entry to any of its woods. There are more than 1,000 for you to choose from, and you can search for your nearest one on the Woodland Trust website. Plus, by becoming a member, you can help the charity to maintain and protect them, too.
Now that summer’s here, it’s the perfect time for a woodland adventure – you could even combine yours with a seaside break. Read on to discover the UK’s top coastal woods for plenty of long strolls, stunning views and sun-dappled picnics.
One of the most extensive broadleaved woods in the north of Skye, Uig is made up of a fringe of mature woodland along the shore of Uig Bay, and two steep-sided ravine woodlands, which follow the Rha and Conon rivers. You might also stumble across the gorgeous Rha Waterfalls, which flow through the wood towards the sea.
This patchwork of broadleaf and conifer woods and heathland is teeming with wildlife, including 14 butterfly species. Look out for the veteran trees that date back hundreds of years, such as oak, beech and sweet chestnut, or climb to the highest point for spectacular views over the north Norfolk Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Less than 10 miles from Brighton, Butcher's Wood lies in the Sussex Downs Area of Natural Beauty. Dating back more than 400 years, this ancient woodland has an array of different ground flora, including hazel, bluebells, wood anemones and early purple orchids, as well as a great path network for you to explore the whole site.
Located on a cliffside around Llandudno Junction, Marl Hall Woods is a semi-natural ancient woodland with stunning displays of rare and beautiful wildflowers in the spring and summer. Enjoy panoramic views across the Conwy Valley as you stroll and keep an ear out for the unmistakable sound of great spotted woodpeckers.
Set in the North York Moors, the secluded Scar and Castlebeck Woods straddle a steep ravine carved by streams and rivers that run off the moors. The area is cited as one of the best inland exposures of dinosaur footprints in the UK, making it a real must-visit for archaeology lovers.
Nestled against the shore of Morecambe Bay, Sea Wood is edged by the shingle beach of Ulverston Sands. Home to many old oak trees, it’s one of the Woodland Trust’s top bluebell woods in spring, while summer is the best time to follow the long-distance Cumbria Coastal Way footpath, which runs just outside the wood boundary.
This ancient Atlantic oakwood offers sweeping vistas of the Argyll coastline and across Loch Crinan, towards the 12th-century Duntrune Castle. A wonderful example of Scotland’s rare and special rainforest, Crinan Wood is also home to some of the country’s most iconic wildlife, including red squirrels, otters and red deer.
Registered charity numbers 294344 and SC038885
