Cannon Hill Common, London SW20 9DB

Experience how woodland can help your Physical, Mental & Emotional Health. Cost is £39.77 (plus Paypal fee = £ 41.76 if not paid by bank transfer).

Generally, we offer 'school-friendly hours', so parents can attend our Forest Bathing session in the London area at Cannon Hill Common, SW20 9DB near Wimbledon Chase, Raynes Park. The area is easily accessible by public transport.

We will take you on a 2½ hour journey through the beautiful landscaped park, nestled in this little known oasis of calm within Greater London.

Forest Bathing is based on the Japanese art of Shinrin-Yoku and involves a slow exploration of nature through your senses. Not only is this calming and relaxing but it also has well documented therapeutic benefits.

Forest Bathing has been scientifically proven to have beneficial effects, including stress reduction. 

Ancient civilisations frequently venerated nature and gained insight and wisdom from their relationship with the natural world. Despite the fact that society is now more disconnected from the countryside, research supports the physiological benefits of Forest Bathing. Trees emit raw essential oils known as ‘phytoncides’ which have been proven to evoke relaxation and wellbeing. By immersing ourselves in ancient woodlands, we re-connect with nature and reinforce this relationship with the natural world.

The Forest Bathing Institute (TFBI), with whom we trained, has pioneered the addition of enhanced sensory exercises and deep meditations to create Forest Bathing+, which helps promote mindfulness and reconnects your body and soul to nature. Evidence suggests that Forest Bathing + can:

• lower blood pressure,

• decrease stress,

• improve cardiovascular and metabolic health,

• reduce blood-sugar levels,

• enhance concentration and memory,

• lift depression,

• lead to better pain management,

• increase energy,

• boost the immune system by increasing the body’s natural killer (NK) cell count,

• increases anti-cancer protein production,

• facilitate weight loss.

50% of the benefit is proven to come from the phytoncides emanating from trees when walking in an ambient forest environment. However, mindfulness has a separate evidence base for inducing a 'feel good factor' as well as demonstrating a reduction in stress and an improvement in mental health and wellbeing.

Cannon Hill Common has several lovely ancient trees (likely over 200-300 years old) and some charming walkways under the canopy of woodland, so we are confident that participants will experience therapeutic benefits of connecting mindfully in nature.

DOGS: Regrettably we cannot accept dogs on our Forest Bathing+ sessions unless they are trained Guide Dogs.

INCLEMENT WEATHER: We operate in all weathers (we just request that you wear appropriate clothing) except winds exceeding 30mph and/or electrical storms due to safety reasons.

Your guide(s) will be Joanna Bristow-Watkins and/or Katie Robinson, who will share many interesting facts, for example, how trees communicate and the role they can play in strengthening our immune system.

Katie and Joanna have run extensive and well-received sessions at a multitude of locations around the UK including National Trust sites, RSPB, West Horsley Place, Horsell Common, Newlands Corner, Harry Edwards, Kosmon Sanctuary,London parks and Kew Gardens. We've also participated in University of Derby studies including events on behalf of The Forest Bathing Institute (TFBI) for three mental health and disability charities, including a very successful six-week programme forWoking Mind in 2022.  In 2023, we participated in a TFBI/UCL study of our six-week course for three separate Guildford-based charities.

Location
Cannon Hill is located between the town centres Raynes Park and Morden in the ward of Cannon Hill in the south western corner of Merton. We will be meeting just inside the park by the entrance on Cannon Hill Lane (with picture notice board), opposite Cherrywood Lane.

Public Transport & Parking
Trains: The nearest railway stations are Raynes Park and Wimbledon Chase Stations. They are each about a 15 minute walk away.
Buses: The 413 bus runs regularly between Morden and Sutton, select bus stop J or H along Cannon Hill Lane by Cherrywood Lane.
Underground: Wimbledon and South Wimbledon Tube stations are both relatively near.
Parking: Free parking is available along Cannon Hill Lane, or alnong Cherrywood Lane, both by our meeting point and, also, in Joseph Hood Recreation Ground (also nearest toilets, although sometimes locked) accessed from Martin Way, Morden.

During term-time, we offer school hours friendly session (for parents with school age children), £39.77
Wednesday 28th June, 11am - 1.30pm - now closed for new bookings

Call us to discuss a private session or arranging a public session when you have a group of friends/colleagues available to join us. We also offer special sessions for corporates to offer their staff for wellbeing maintenance.

Many of our sessions are offered at school drop-off friendly timings to enable busy parents to savour some 'me time'. We can offer a closed session during term-time if we have 4-12 participants, and would be happy to pay 10% to any organising PTAs or social groups.