​​​Forest Bathing/Shinrin-yoku

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• Where will the Forest Bathing take place? 

• At a private woodland near Box, Corsham. Full details and directions will be sent to you a week before your session.

• What will the Forest Bathing session actually involve? 

• If you are worried that three hours is a long time to spend "walking in the woods," don't be! Forest bathing (inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku) is not a physical hike or a nature identification walk. Instead, it is a slow-paced, deeply restorative immersion. We rarely cover more than a mile in total distance.

• Our time together is carefully structured into three distinct phases to help you effortlessly transition from everyday busyness into deep relaxation:

• Phase 1: Arriving & Unwinding (The First 45 Mins)
  We begin by gathering at the entrance to the woodland for a brief welcome. Modern life leaves our nervous systems on high alert, so the first portion of the session is all about "shedding the momentum" of your to-do list. Through gentle, guided mindfulness exercises, we turn off our devices, slow our physical pace right down, and begin to wake up our physical senses.

• Phase 2: Sensory "Invitations" (The Middle 90 Mins)
  Once the group has settled, I will offer a series of creative, open-ended "invitations." These are gentle prompts designed to focus your attention on the nature around you. You might find yourself feeling the texture of ancient moss, or inhaling the grounding, earthy scents of the woodland floor. There is no right or wrong way to respond; you are completely free to explore each invitation on your own terms.

• Phase 3: Deep Rest & The Tea Ceremony (The Final 45 Mins)
  We conclude our session by finding a quiet spot to rest—often sitting or lying down beneath the trees for some deep relaxation. To close the circle, we gather for a traditional, mindful tea ceremony. We will share a freshly brewed herbal infusion alongside some light snacks. It’s a warm, grounding space to reflect on your experience, chat with the group if you wish, and prepare your mind and body to transition gently back into the real world.

• What you will take away:
  You will leave the woods with a quiet mind, a regulated nervous system, and a profound sense of peace. The physiological benefits of a 3-hour session—such as lowered cortisol (stress hormones) and a boosted immune system—can stay with you for up to 4 weeks.

• What do I wear? 

• Because forest bathing involves moving very slowly and sitting or lying still for periods of time, you will cool down much faster than you would on a standard walk. The golden rule of forest bathing is to dress for the temperature, and then add one extra layer just in case!

• To ensure you stay completely warm, dry, and comfortable, we recommend dressing in adjustable layers:

• The Base Layer: Start with comfortable, breathable clothing. Stretchy trousers, leggings, or loose outdoor trousers are ideal. Avoid tight jeans, which can restrict your movement when sitting on the ground.

• The Insulation Layers: Bring a fleece, jumper, or cardigan that you can easily take on or off. Even in the height of summer, the woodland canopy keeps the forest floor surprisingly cool.

• The Outer Layer: Pack a high-quality waterproof coat or jacket and waterproof trousers. British weather is famously unpredictable, and a damp chill is the quickest way to ruin your relaxation.

• Footwear: Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes with good grip, such as walking boots, trail shoes, or wellies. Leave the trainers or sandals at home—the forest floor can be muddy, uneven, and damp.

• Seasonal Extras:

• In Autumn & Winter: Bring a warm hat, a scarf, gloves, and thick thermal socks.

• In Spring & Summer: Bring a sun hat, sunglasses, and a lightweight layer to protect against insects and stinging nettles.

• What do I need to bring with me? 

• We want you to pack light so you can truly unwind, but bringing a few key essentials will ensure you stay safe, warm, and comfortable throughout the three hours.

• Here is what you should pack in a small backpack:

• A sit-mat or small blanket: We will spend time sitting or lying down on the forest floor. A lightweight waterproof sit-mat, a foam gardening pad, or an old picnic blanket will keep the damp from seeping through.

• Water or a drink: While I do provide a warm herbal tea at the end of the session, it is a good idea to bring a water bottle to keep you hydrated during the invitations.

• In the cooler months: A spare fleece/warm jumper, gloves and warm hat.

• In the warmer months: Sunscreen - Even under the dense shade of the woodland canopy, UV rays can break through.

• Any personal medication: Please ensure you bring any personal essentials you might need, such as inhalers, epi-pens, or allergy medication.

• A plastic bag: A simple carrier bag is incredibly useful for packing away wet gear or sitting on if the ground is exceptionally muddy.

• A journal and pen should you wish to make any notes.

• What to leave behind (or switch off):
  I highly recommend leaving cameras and heavy gadgets at home. You are welcome to bring your mobile phone for safety, but I will ask everyone to switch their devices to silent or airplane mode before we enter the woods to fully preserve the peace of the environment.

• Do I need any experience? Absolutely not. My Forest Bathing sessions are suitable for all levels from total beginners to those who've had some experience. Suitable from age 16+.

• Is there parking?

• Yes there is plenty of free parking on site (drive through the open gated entrance where you will see a Wild Folk Sanctuary sign and park directly in front of you) and along the road outside.

• Are there toilets?

• Yes there are compost toilets on site all very close by.

• Will there be food and drink?

• There will be a herbal tea ceremony at the end of the session where I will also provide light snacks but you are welcome to bring any drinks or food you may need. Please let me know when you book if you have any dietary requirements or allergies.

• Is it accessible? 

• If you have any concerns about accessibility, please contact me so that I can assess this on an individual basis. 

• Cancellation policy. 

• More than 14 days notice: Due to being a small business cancellations are non-refundable. If you need to cancel, please notify us at least 14 days before the workshop date. You may transfer your booking to a future workshop (subject to availability) or you are welcome to send a friend in your place. Please email us their name and contact details prior to the workshop.

• Less than 14 days notice: Cancellations made within 14 days of the workshop date are non-refundable. However, we understand emergencies happen; you are welcome to send a friend in your place. Please email us their name and contact details prior to the workshop.

• No-shows: No-shows will not receive a refund or a transfer. 

• Cancellations Made by the Provider

• Weather Policy: Forest bathing sessions run in almost all weather conditions, including rain and cold. Rain is not a valid reason for a participant to cancel. 

• Extreme Weather Cancellations: The provider reserves the right to cancel a session if official weather warnings are issued by the UK Met Office (such as high winds, lightning, or extreme heat/cold) that make being under the canopy unsafe. 

• Provider Illness: If the guide falls ill or the landowner closes the site for safety reasons, the session will be cancelled. 

• Resolution: If the provider cancels the session, you will be offered a full refund or the choice to transfer your ticket to a future date. The provider is not liable for any third-party travel or accommodation costs you may have incurred.

• Please don't hesitate to contact Pattie at info@wildfolksanctuary.co.uk should you have any further questions.

 

Botanical Plaster Cast Workshops

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• Where will the workshop take place? 

• At a private woodland near Box, Corsham. Full details and directions will be sent to you a week before your session.

• What will we be doing in the workshop?

• I'll start the workshop with some safety advice and a list of materials needed. I'll follow by doing a step by step demo to show you the process of botanical plaster casting and together with guidance from myself, you will then create your own beautiful cast by rolling out clay and making a detailed impression with the flowers and plants you've chosen. You'll learn how to mix plaster of Paris and pour this on to your impression to form your cast. We will leave these to set while we have a coffee/tea break and a wander to the beautiful woods should you wish to. We'll return to our set casts to remove the clay for the big reveal, which is the really magical part! I will then demonstrate how to hand finish your casts (two very simple steps) once they have cured (to fully cure takes a minimum of 1 week). The casts will be unpainted in natural plaster for you to take home, which are beautiful as they are or you are welcome to paint these once cured (I will provide sandpaper and the correct varnish for you to take home with you).

• Do I need any experience? 

• Absolutely not. This workshop is suitable for all levels from total beginners new to plaster casting to those who've had some experience. Suitable from age 15+.

• Is there parking?

• Yes there is plenty of free parking on site (drive through the open gated entrance where you will see a Wild Folk Sanctuary sign and park directly in front of you) and along the road outside.

• Are there toilets?

• Yes there are compost toilets on site.

• What do I need to bring with me?

• A bag or box to carry your cast home. The cast will be approx 20cm square.

• What do I wear?

• Clothes you don't mind getting dirty as plaster casting can be messy business! (I will provide aprons). Plenty of layers due to the ever changing weather, and I would suggest bringing a waterproof jacket if you would like to wander through the woods in case of rain. I would also recommend wearing closed toe shoes due to the uneven woodland floor.

• Will there be food and drink?

• I will provide hot and cold drinks and a mid morning snack, but you are welcome to bring any drinks or food you may need. Please let me know when you book if you have any dietary requirements or allergies.

• Is it accessible? 

• If you have any concerns about accessibility, please contact me so that I can assess this on an individual basis. 

• Cancellation policy. 

• More than 14 days notice: Due to being a small business cancellations are non-refundable. If you need to cancel, please notify us at least 14 days before the workshop date. You may transfer your booking to a future workshop (subject to availability) or you are welcome to send a friend in your place. Please email us their name and contact details prior to the workshop.

• Less than 14 days notice: Cancellations made within 14 days of the workshop date are non-refundable. However, we understand emergencies happen; you are welcome to send a friend in your place. Please email us their name and contact details prior to the workshop.

• No-shows: No-shows will not receive a refund or a transfer. 

• Cancellations Made by the Provider

• Extreme Weather Cancellations: The provider reserves the right to cancel a session if official weather warnings are issued by the UK Met Office (such as high winds, lightning, or extreme heat/cold) that make being under the canopy unsafe. 

• Provider Illness: If the provider falls ill or the landowner closes the site for safety reasons, the session will be cancelled. 

• Resolution: If the provider cancels the session, you will be offered a full refund or the choice to transfer your ticket to a future date. The provider is not liable for any third-party travel or accommodation costs you may have incurred.

• Please don't hesitate to contact Pattie at info@wildfolksanctuary.co.uk should you have any further questions.