Rediscover an ancient relationship with nature. One that our ancestors understood intimately but we've forgotten along the way.
I run nature connection and forest bathing walks based in and around Winchester, Hampshire.
These walks aren't really about covering ground, they're about uncovering the stories and seasonal wisdom that live within our local landscapes. From the whispered legends tucked into ancient woodlands to the healing rhythms of the Wheel of the Year, we explore how nature has always been our greatest teacher.
Upcoming walks
Midsummer forest bathing, 21st June
At the peak of the light, before the year begins its quiet turn, we’ll gather in cool, calm comfort of the ancient woodland to take in the wisdom of the trees.
We'll move slowly, and sit still. We'll listen, deeply, to the layered sounds and hidden messages among the leaf litter and rustling branches. We'll notice the smell of warm bark and of damp moss, the weight of a stone, the way light dances through a canopy. We'll stop narrating our lives in our heads for a while and let our senses do the work instead.
It's nature's medicine. Research shows that time spent this way lowers cortisol, regulates the nervous system and boosts immune function. The trees are working with us, we just need to slow down enough to listen.
Our ancestors knew of this power. Join us this midsummer to remember their wisdom.
SOLD OUT - please sign up to emails below to be notified of any cnacellatons, and to hear about upcoming events.
Lammas evening forest bathing, 30th July
By late July, Lammas is almost upon us. The sun is full and warm but light is already beginning its slow retreat. The corn is ripening, the fields are full. High summer, on the edge of turning.
Our midsummer forest bathing session sold out very quickly, so this is a chance to mindfully immerse yourself in the woods while summer still governs the seasons.
Forest bathing is a deliberate slowing down until the boundaries between us and nature start to soften, and at this time of year it holds a special poignance.
We'll stop narrating our lives in our heads for a while and let our senses take over.
We'll finish as the light turns golden, just ahead of the bank holiday weekend.
SOLD OUT - please sign up to emails below to be notified of any cnacellatons, and to hear about upcoming events.
Cancellations and refunds: if you need to cancel more than 48 hours ahead and I can re-sell your ticket, I'll refund you (minus a £1.50 admin fee). Unfortunately I can't offer refunds for cancellations within 48 hours of the walk.
Read my full terms and conditions here, including safeguarding and GDPR policies.
Forest bathing FAQs
Forest bathing, or Shinrin-yoku, is the Japanese practice of mindfully immersing yourself in the woods. It's a deliberate slowing down until the boundaries between us and nature start to soften.
What to expect:
A slower, more immersive session than our usual walks
A small group of six for a more intimate experience
Guided moments of sensory attention and quiet reflection
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Not at all. These sessions are slow by design. We cover very little ground and spend a lot of time just being still. If you have any mobility considerations, drop me a line before booking and I can let you know whether the route will work for you.
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Layers are your friend, even in summer. The woodland stays cooler than you'd expect when you're barely moving. Sturdy footwear is important as the ground can be uneven.
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We walk in most weather. Part of forest bathing is experiencing the woodland as it actually is, not as we'd like it to be. If extreme weather makes the woods unsafe, I'll contact you by email on the morning of the session.
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Water and any personal medication you usually carry. A layer you can tie around your waist is worth bringing for when we slow right down and sit still.
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There are no toilet facilities at Crab Wood, so it's worth planning ahead before you arrive.
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These sessions are for humans only. To give everyone the space to slow down and pay attention, we keep the group quiet and undistracted.
About Wild & Witchy Walks
What makes these walks special
Our walks celebrate the changing of the seasons, and the the beauty and wisdom of nature. Each experience is carefully chosen to offer both natural beauty and deeper meaning, connecting you to the seasonal cycles that have guided human life for thousands of years.
Who they’re for
If you've ever felt that tug towards something deeper when you're out in nature, these walks are for you. We welcome anyone curious about folklore, drawn to seasonal living or simply seeking meaningful connection with both landscape and like-minded souls. You don't need any special knowledge, just an open heart and a willingness to see the world through ancient eyes.
You'll leave feeling more connected to your local area, with stories to remind you that magic is alive in every hedgerow, stream and hilltop, waiting for us to slow down enough to notice.
How to join a walk
Our seasonal walks happen approximately eight times a year, in and around Winchester, timed around the sacred sabbat days of the Wheel of the Year - from the awakening energy of Imbolc to the introspective depths of Samhain. Each walk is £10 per person and can be booked through Ticket Tailor, where you'll find all the practical details including meeting points, what to bring and any seasonal themes we'll be exploring.
Please book via Ticket Tailor as walks may have to be cancelled due to poor weather conditions. Our walks go ahead in most weather - after all, connecting with the seasons means experiencing them fully - but may have to be cancelled at short notice in extraordinary circumstances.
About your guide
I'm Emily. A nature lover, forager and student forest bathing (Shinrin Yoku) guide.
I've called Winchester home for more than 15 years, and in that time I've fallen completely under the spell of this ancient landscape.
My love affair with the natural world began as a child, when foraging felt like treasure hunting and every woodland held secrets waiting to be discovered. That connection has only deepened over the years. You'll often find me with muddy hands and pockets full of seasonal finds – rosehips for syrup, nettles for soup, or elderflowers destined for fermentation.
When I'm not foraging, I'm likely to be found swimming in the Itchen's chalk streams, tending my allotment or gardening at home with my two black cats, among the bees and the rooks. These experiences have taught me to listen to the land's voice and to recognise the magic that lives in everyday moments of connection with the natural world.
The land here holds so much medicine, so many stories and so much wild wisdom. Through Wild & Witchy Walks, I hope to share what I've learned about listening to its voice – not as an expert, but as someone deeply committed to the magic that unfurls when we slow down enough to truly see what's around us.
