Harry Edwards Healing Sanctuary, Shere, Surrey

We will take you on a mindful, sensory journey through the beautiful woodland at Harry Edwards Healing Sanctuary, deep in the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 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.

Generally, we offer a weekend event per month at this charming and tranquil location. Being very remote, the area is not easily accessible by public transport.

We will take you on a 2.5 or 3-hour journey through the beautiful semi-ancient private woodland belonging to the Harry Edward's Healing sanctuary.

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) 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 from Forest Bathing 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.

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.

You will be required to complete and return the registration form in advance, so look out for the welcome email from your guide a few days before the event.  

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.

When you have booked your session, your guide will send you forms to complete and return by email before the event, as well as further instructions for the session.

We look forward to welcoming you to our Woodland Therapy events.

Events at Harry Edwards Healing Sanctuary, Shere (near Guildford); see below for dates/times and booking links. These are 3 hour (2.5 hours December - February) Forest Bathing sessions which will take place in all weathers except very high winds. Cost is £39.77 for 3 hours or £37.77 for 2.5 hours.