Forest bathing for unpaid carers in the Hampton Estate

Having run four mindfulness in nature sessions in a community garden, it is now time to go into the woods for forest bathing!

We are absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to welcome you to this gloriously peaceful, private woodland in the Surrey Hills for forest bathing sessions. 

Forest bathing is a slow and mindful walk in the woods, opening up all your senses and slowing down your mind. It is an immersive experience, noticing the sights, sounds, smell and textures of the forest. It is a way to destress, relax and boost health and wellbeing. It feels amazing to spend dedicated, mindful time amongst trees.

We will take a slow walk through woodland with sensory activities to help you unwind and connect with the natural environment to boost your mental and physical health. Apart from it being a beautiful and relaxing experience, the best part is that forest bathing is scientifically proven to make us feel better. You can read more about forest bathing here. 

There is a focus on slow, deep, mindful breathing throughout, with a guided meditation and hot tea at the end. 

This session is open to any unpaid carer. These wellbeing sessions help people use nature to promote the relaxation response which repairs and restores our bodies and minds. We will be laying the foundations for regularly using nature for wellness, so you can maintain your own health while you continue to care for your loved one. You can read more here about these funded sessions.

An unpaid carer is someone who provides care for a friend or family member who needs help, but is not paid to do so by a company or local authority. To be clear, even if you receive benefits or a carers allowance for caring for a loved one, you are still considered an unpaid carer.

Roots for the Future has funding from Surrey County Council which pays for 80% of the cost of the session. This allows us to charge only £5 for the tickets, plus a small booking fee. We have funding for four woodland sessions which will take place in summer and autumn of 2025.

For the location, please use these to get you to the right place. 

Myrtle’s Courtyard, Hampton Estate Barns, Littleworth Road, Seale GU101JH
What3Words location: //touched.reckon.feuds.

At Hampton Estate there is a fantastic mosaic of different habitat types – ancient and semi-natural woodland, lowland heath, wood pasture and parkland, lowland fen, calcareous grassland, dry acid grassland, native broadleaf and commercial conifer woodland and more. This diversity of habitats is home to very important and diverse species of flora and fauna, critical to a fully functioning ecosystem. As well as being in the Greenbelt and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Hampton also includes a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Site of Nature Conservation Interest.

We at Roots for the Future feel truly lucky to have the opportunity to have access to the woodland at Hampton Estate and share with you all the joys and incredible wellbeing benefits of time in nature.