The Forest Is Waiting
There is a particular quality of light in a Devon woodland in the early morning. It comes through the canopy in soft columns, catching the mist that hangs between the oaks and beeches, turning the air itself into something visible. The ground is damp and spongy underfoot. Somewhere above you, a woodpecker is drumming. And for a few minutes, the noise in your head — the emails, the to-do lists, the low hum of anxiety that follows you everywhere — goes quiet.
This is not a walk. Not a hike. Not exercise. This is forest bathing — shinrin-yoku — a Japanese practice that has been studied for over forty years and is now recognised by researchers worldwide as a genuine health intervention. And Devon, with its ancient woodlands, its Dartmoor forests, and its extraordinary biodiversity, is one of the finest places in Britain to experience it.
What Is Shinrin-Yoku?
The term shinrin-yoku was coined in 1982 by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries. It translates literally as "forest bath" — not bathing in water, but immersing yourself in the atmosphere of the forest. The idea is simple: slow down, open your senses, and let the forest do its work.
Unlike hiking or trail running, forest bathing has no destination. You are not trying to reach a summit or complete a loop. A forest bathing session might cover no more than a mile in two or three hours. The point is presence — noticing the texture of bark, the smell of damp earth, the sound of wind through leaves, the way light changes as clouds pass overhead.
In Japan, shinrin-yoku became a cornerstone of preventive healthcare. Japan went on to certify a national network of official Forest Therapy bases and trails, and doctors began prescribing forest visits the way a British GP might suggest a walk. What made this more than a wellness trend was the research that followed — decades of rigorous science that revealed the forest was doing far more than providing a nice backdrop.
The Science: What the Forest Does to Your Body
Phytoncides and Your Immune System
Trees release volatile organic compounds called phytoncides — antimicrobial substances including alpha-pinene and limonene — as a natural defence against insects and disease. When you breathe forest air, you inhale these compounds, and the effects on the human immune system are remarkable.
Professor Qing Li, a leading immunologist at Nippon Medical School in Tokyo, has published some of the most significant research in this field. His studies demonstrate that forest bathing trips significantly increase the activity of natural killer (NK) cells — a type of white blood cell that plays a critical role in the body's defence against tumours and viral infections. More specifically, forest exposure increased the number of NK cells and the levels of intracellular anti-cancer proteins such as perforin, granulysin (GRN), and granzymes (GrA/B).
The truly striking finding is the duration of the effect. NK cell activity remained elevated for at least seven days after a forest bathing trip, and in some studies, for more than 30 days. A city trip of the same duration produced no such effect, suggesting it is the forest environment specifically — not simply being outdoors — that drives the immune response. These are small studies — the best-known used twelve participants — so the findings are suggestive rather than settled.
Research by Professor Qing Li found that a three-day forest trip increased natural killer cell activity for at least seven days afterwards. These NK cells are a key part of your immune system's defence against cancer and viral infections. The effect was attributed to phytoncides — volatile compounds released by trees.
Cortisol and Stress Reduction
The stress hormone data is equally compelling. Studies have consistently shown that shinrin-yoku reduces salivary and serum cortisol, urinary adrenaline, and urinary noradrenaline — the chemical markers of stress. Forest bathing also increases parasympathetic nerve activity (the calming branch of the autonomic nervous system) while reducing sympathetic nerve activity (the fight-or-flight response).
In practical terms, this means forest bathing measurably calms your nervous system. These are measurable physiological changes, though the studies are mostly small and short-term.
Mental Health and Mood
Using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) test — a validated psychological assessment tool — researchers have found that shinrin-yoku reduces scores for anxiety, depression, anger, fatigue, and confusion, while increasing scores for vigour.
A comprehensive review published in the journal Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine established shinrin-yoku as a legitimate field of preventive medicine — what the researchers call "Forest Medicine" — with demonstrated effects on immune function, stress hormones, cardiovascular health, and mental wellbeing.
For anyone who has been exploring the mental health benefits of regular social activity, forest bathing adds another powerful tool to the toolkit — one that works whether you do it alone or with others.
Where to Forest Bathe in Devon
Devon is extraordinarily well-suited to forest bathing. The county's ancient woodlands, diverse tree species, and relatively mild climate mean that forests here are rich in the phytoncides and biodiversity that make shinrin-yoku effective. Here are four of the best places to begin.
Haldon Forest, Near Exeter
Haldon Forest Park, managed by Forestry England, sits on a ridge above the Exe Estuary just south of Exeter. It is one of Devon's most popular outdoor destinations, but its scale — over 3,500 acres — means it is easy to find solitude, even at weekends.
The forest is predominantly coniferous (Sitka spruce, Douglas fir, and larch), with areas of broadleaf woodland. Coniferous forests are particularly rich in phytoncides, making Haldon an excellent choice for forest bathing. The waymarked trails range from short, accessible loops to longer routes that take you deep into the woodland interior, where the canopy closes overhead and the only sound is birdsong and the wind.
For forest bathing, the quieter trails away from the main car park and Go Ape course are ideal. Walk slowly. Stop often. Breathe deeply. The resinous scent of the conifers is the phytoncides at work.
Getting there: Haldon Forest Park is about 20 minutes from Exeter city centre. There is parking on site (charges apply). The forest is open daily, 7am to 9pm, every day except Christmas Day.
Ashclyst Forest, Near Broadclyst
Ashclyst Forest, managed by the National Trust, is one of the largest woods in East Devon. It is quieter, wilder, and more intimate than Haldon — a true remnant of the forests that once covered much of Devon.
The woodland is a mix of ancient oaks, beeches, and other broadleaf species, with an understorey of bluebells in spring, ferns in summer, and fungi in autumn. Colour-coded waymarked trails of different lengths wind through the forest. But for forest bathing, you do not need a trail. Simply walk slowly among the trees, following whatever draws your attention.
Ashclyst is particularly beautiful in May, when the bluebell carpet transforms the forest floor into something almost hallucinatory. But it is magnificent in every season — the bare architecture of winter oaks has its own austere beauty, and autumn brings a display of fungi that would delight any naturalist.
Getting there: Ashclyst Forest is about 15 minutes from Exeter, near the village of Broadclyst. National Trust car parking is free for all users, and the forest is free to enter.
Fernworthy Forest, Dartmoor
For something wilder, Fernworthy Forest sits high on Dartmoor, surrounding Fernworthy Reservoir. The walk that circumnavigates the reservoir takes you through dense coniferous woodland and out onto open moorland, offering a transition between forest intimacy and the vast, exposed landscape of the moor.
The forest here has a different character to the lowland woods. The trees are wind-shaped, the air is cooler, and there is a remoteness that amplifies the meditative quality of forest bathing. On a still morning, with mist rising off the reservoir and the forest reflected in the water, Fernworthy feels genuinely otherworldly.
Getting there: Fernworthy is about 40 minutes from Exeter, accessed via narrow moorland lanes. There is a pay-and-display car park at the reservoir, run by South West Lakes Trust. Mobile signal is limited, which is arguably a feature rather than a bug.
Plymbridge Woods, Near Plymouth
Plymbridge Woods, managed by the National Trust, follows the valley of the River Plym through ancient oak woodland north of Plymouth. The combination of mature trees, river sounds, and sheltered valley terrain makes it ideal for forest bathing.
The gentle circular walk through the ancient oaks, beside the River Plym, takes in the remains of the area's industrial past and offers breathtaking views across the valley from the viaduct. The woodland supports a remarkable range of wildlife — kingfishers, dippers, grey wagtails, peregrine falcons, and deer — and the river itself adds a sonic dimension that enhances the immersive quality of the experience.
Getting there: Car parks at Plymbridge, Cadover Bridge, and Shaugh Prior provide good starting points. About 45 minutes from Exeter.
For your first forest bathing session, choose a forest you can reach easily and plan to spend at least 90 minutes there. Leave your phone in the car or switch it off. Walk slowly — much more slowly than feels natural. Stop whenever something catches your attention. There is no agenda, no distance target, and no right way to do it.
Guided Forest Bathing in Devon
If the idea of wandering slowly through woods without a plan feels too unstructured, guided sessions offer a wonderful introduction.
Nature and Therapy UK
Based at the Dartington Estate and operating on Dartmoor, Nature and Therapy has run outdoor-based therapeutic training and retreats for over 30 years, and has trained hundreds of forest bathing guides in Devon. Their sessions are led by trained facilitators who guide you through a series of sensory "invitations" — exercises designed to deepen your connection with the forest environment.
Wanders for Wellbeing — Creative Journeys in Nature
Run by Emma Capper, who describes herself as a certified Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT) guide, these sessions run at Dartington on routes no more than a mile long. The slow pace and gentle sensory invitations are designed to quiet the mind and enable genuine relaxation. These sessions are particularly good for beginners who want guidance without pressure.
The Social Angle: Silent Walks and Deep Bonding
Here is what makes forest bathing particularly interesting from a social perspective: it works differently from almost every other group activity. In a forest bathing session, you spend much of the time in silence. You walk near others but not necessarily with them. You share the experience without having to perform, chat, or fill awkward pauses.
And yet, the bonds that form are often surprisingly deep.
This paradox makes sense when you consider what researchers know about friendship formation. Much of our social anxiety comes from the pressure to perform — to be interesting, to say the right thing, to present a curated version of ourselves. Forest bathing removes that pressure entirely. You are simply present, together, in a shared environment. The forest does the work.
Many guided sessions include a tea ceremony or sharing circle at the end, where participants can talk about their experience if they choose to. These conversations tend to be remarkably open and honest — the silence and sensory immersion seem to lower the defences that normally keep us at arm's length from one another.
If you are someone who finds setting social boundaries difficult because you tend to overextend in conversations, forest bathing offers a social format that is gentle by design. The silence is not awkward — it is the point. And the connection that emerges from shared silence can be more nourishing than hours of small talk.
How to Forest Bathe on Your Own
You do not need a guide, a group, or any equipment. Here is a simple practice you can try in any woodland.
Threshold. Before entering the forest, stand at the edge for a moment. Take three slow breaths. Consciously set aside whatever you were thinking about before you arrived. This is not a walk with a purpose — it is a practice of presence.
Slow down. Walk at half your normal pace. Then halve it again. Forest bathing is measured in metres, not miles.
Engage your senses. One at a time, focus on each sense. What can you hear? Not the obvious sounds — the birdsong, the wind — but the quieter ones. The creak of branches. The rustle of something small in the undergrowth. The drip of water.
Touch. Run your hand along bark. Feel the texture of different leaves. Press your palm against the trunk of an old tree and notice what you notice.
Smell. The forest smells different in different seasons, different weather, different times of day. In a coniferous forest, crush a needle between your fingers and breathe it in — that is the phytoncides, directly.
Sit. Find somewhere comfortable and sit for at least fifteen minutes. This is where the magic happens. When you stop moving, the forest comes to life around you. Birds return. Insects resume their work. You begin to notice things you would never see while walking.
Close. When you are ready to leave, pause at the threshold again. Notice how you feel compared to when you arrived.
Forest Bathing and Your Wider Wellbeing
The research on forest bathing intersects beautifully with what we know about social wellbeing. Reduced cortisol means less social anxiety. Improved mood regulation means better capacity for empathy and patience. A calmer nervous system means more bandwidth for the people in your life.
If you are already exploring wellness practices that support your social life, adding regular forest time is one of the simplest and most effective things you can do. It costs nothing, requires no equipment, and Devon's woodlands are on your doorstep.
The Japanese understood something that we in the West are only now catching up with: the forest is not a backdrop to life. It is a living, breathing pharmacy, a therapist's office without walls, and — when shared with others — one of the most powerful spaces for genuine human connection.
Forestry England now recognises forest bathing as a legitimate wellbeing practice and provides resources for experiencing it across their forests nationwide. In Devon, Haldon Forest is part of the Forestry England network and welcomes self-guided forest bathing year-round.
All you have to do is step off the path, slow down, and breathe. The trees have been waiting.