Horsell Common, Woking, Surrey

Launched August 2021, we are excited to offer our Forest Bathing sessions at Horsell Common, Woking. The area is easily accessible by public transport (Woking station)

We take you on a 2½ hour journey over this historic common land, featured in HG Wells' best selling novel.

Horsell Common has a mixed woodland of silver birch, pine and some oak, adjoining heathland, which is one of the most endangered habits in our country. Spanning 152 hectares this is a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest and part of the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area.

This session will be calming and relaxing and FB has scientifically proven beneficial therapeutic effects. You can learn more about the practice on our forest bathing section of the website.

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 will share many interesting facts, for example, how trees communicate and the role they can play in our strengthening our immune system.

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. 
Cost is £39.77.

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 25mph 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.