Yoga & Forest Bathing in the Woods

Carmel Smickersgill, Tours & Activities Editor

Book now

Yoga & Forest Bathing in the Woods

4 October 2025

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

A lady sat at the base of a tree in a woodland holding a mug and looking reflectively
Image supplied by Leeds Inspired
Book now

Forest Bathing has sprouted from its roots in Japanese mindfulness practices and become increasingly popular internationally. Here in the UK we’re blessed with a variety of forest environments, most of which are conveniently close to public transport or easily reachable by car. One such area is the Otley Chevin near Leeds. This area of scenic countryside is a mixture of rolling hills, descending forests and peaceful fields. Unlock the secrets of forest bathing with yoga practitioners Alice Faulkner and forest therapist Samantha from Fleeting Fern as they guide you through a serene morning of movement, mindfulness and connecting with nature. 

You’ll begin with a guided introduction to Forest Bathing from Samantha, followed by a grounding yoga practice with Alice. There will be plenty of chances to take in your natural surroundings and let a connection with nature deepen your connection with yourself. After the yoga you’ll enjoy some delicious home made tea and vegan treats with your fellow forest bathers. 

Expect to leave the forest feeling deeply nourished physically, rejuvenated mentally and emotionally calmed. As a group, you’ll be letting nature slow you down and allowing yourself to be held by two practitioners who are truly passionate about what they do. All whilst in the stunning surrounds of God’s Own Country. 

Fleeting Fern offers Forest Bathing and workshops encouraging people to connect with nature. Samantha, the mastermind behind Fleeting Fern, trained as a forest therapist after experiencing burn out and discovering the healing power of nature for herself. Alice Faulkner is a yoga teacher whose practice involves a deep reverence for nature. She regularly hosts classes in Otley Chevin Forest Park.

Between these two well experienced people who have centred their practices around nature, you can be sure to be in good hands for your first (or seventh) forest bathing experience.

Where to go near Yoga & Forest Bathing in the Woods

In Focus: Chinese Contemporary Art.
Manchester
Gallery
New Adelphi Exhibition Gallery

New Adelphi Exhibition Gallery opened in 2016, providing a permanent space to showcase the University of Salford Art Collection within the New Adelphi School of Arts and Media.

Cumbria
Restaurant
1863 Restaurant

1863 offers a seven-course Lake District tasting menu that overdelivers at every turn. Cumbrian ingredients, clever ideas and classical cooking techniques.

City Centre
Bar or Pub
Schofield’s Bar

Schofield’s could be Manchester’s most grown-up bar. Very precise drinks in an upmarket city centre venue. It’s not cheap, hey, but true class costs.

Manchester
Restaurant
Sampa

Sampa’s underground space is the perfect place to learn about both her new mind-expanding dishes and vintage sherries, reimagined for the late 2020s.

Northern Quarter
Restaurant
Sicilian NQ

Busy backstreet Sicilian restaurant in the Northern Quarter, serving up traditional dishes with well-executed vegan versions that more than match up.

Manchester
Restaurant
Maki & Ramen

Japanese sushi and ramen restaurant on High Street, Northern Quarter, founded by Teddy Lee. House-made noodles, eight-hour broths, plus sushi, donburi and vegan options.

Restaurant Orme
Manchester
Restaurant
Restaurant Örme

A hidden gem in the suburbs of Greater Manchester, serving high-level British small plates to a soundtrack of indie rock and roll.

The Abbey
Manchester
Restaurant
The Abbey

Historic Hulme pub with a very good live gig space, brought to you by the very capable team behind YES, Gorilla, Now Wave and Manchester Psych Fest.

Manchester
Bar or Pub
Pigeon Beer Wanderer

Pigeon Beer Wanderer brings wine-level ceremony to Manchester’s new “Beermuda Triangle”, courtesy of Joshua Lightfoot and his crack team of booze experts.

What's on:

Image courtesy of 53two
Until
TheatreManchester
Maria at 53two

The UK premiere of a lesser-known Simon Stephens play explores love, isolation and the search for human connection.

From £15.00
Red Rodeo
DanceSalford
Make Tracks

Free family day of live music, art and cycling activities on Chapel Street, Saturday 19 September, celebrating Salford’s new walking and cycling route.

Free entry
Encounter Festival in Preston
FestivalsLancashire
Encounter Festival in Preston

Preston comes alive with outdoor theatre, live music and family-friendly creativity in one of the North West’s most joyful festivals.

Free entry

Culture Guides

Exhibitions

Summer isn’t usually a high point in the exhibitions calendar, but Greater Manchester’s small galleries seem to have made a pact to change that this year.

Food and Drink in the North

Squeeze the most out of these final weeks of summer thanks to our mid-August guide to food and drink in Manchester and the North.

Woodhill by LUNG Theatre.
Theatre

Contemporary performance, verbatim theatre, dark comedy and a bold vision of Gaza - an eclectic mix for the start of autumn.

Matt Spratt.
Music

Aphex Twin-endorsed electronica, an eight-hour organ marathon and the most exciting band in Ireland's current folk revival all feature this month.

Emily Lloyd-Saini as Grace in Space and Harrie Hayes as Lieutenant Strong in Horrible Science
Family things to do in the North

Whether you’re after storybook theatre, museum wanderings or illusion-bending play spaces, there’s plenty to keep curiosity ticking through winter and beyond.

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night
Cinema in the North

There's no shortage of great films out at the moment, whether you're looking for the latest blockbuster, that hot arthouse flick fresh from Cannes or a cosy classic.