Mindful May in the Surrey Hills

A woodland canopy with trees and sky with the sun illuminating some of the leaves and making them a variety of shades of green — Experience the woodlands through all your senses in the Surrey Hills this May. | © National Trust Images/Mark Bolton

Take some time out from the hustle and bustle of daily life with the practice of mindfulness, and experience the countryside using all your senses. Download, or pick up a mindful sheet from visitor reception, take part in forest bathing, Nordic walking or a yoga and gong bath session.

Mindfulness trail sheet

Take a walk through the woods or heathland, and discover some hints and tips for practising mindfulness using our trail sheet. You can download one here or pick one up from visitor reception at Box Hill or Hindhead Commons.

Forest bathing at Box Hill

27 May & 17 June

Forest bathing – or Shinrin-yoku – is a way of relaxing and slowing down the mind by being immersed among the trees. Enjoy this slow, relaxing sensory journey designed to calm the body and mind and return home with some techniques to use when you need them.

£40 per person

Click on the green arrow to book

Yoga and gong baths at Box Hill

6 May

Enjoy a relaxing traditional Himalayan style yoga session, and experience the therapeutic effects of gong baths in the beautiful surroundings of Box Hill. Please bring your own mat, pillow, blanket and a bottle of water.

£40 per person

Click on the green arrow to book

Yoga instructor leading outdoor classes during the South West Outdoor Festival, Heddon Valley, Devon — Relax on yoga and gong bath session at Box Hill | © Chris Lacey

Nordic walking at Box Hill

9, 13, 16 May

Enjoy this 1 hour taster session of Nordic walking in the beautiful surroundings of the Surrey Hills. Nordic walking uses special poles to use 90% of the body's muscles and burn 20% more calories than normal walking. Poles are provided for this session.

£12 per person

Click on the green arrow to book

A bench beside the flowers in bloom in the Rhododendron Wood, which was planted around 1900 to create an attractive vista from Leith Hill Place, Surrey — The Rhododendron Wood, which was planted around 1900 to create an attractive vista from Leith Hill Place | © National Trust Images/Andrew Butler

Mindfulness at Leith Hill

Take an audio guided mindful walk or enjoy an art workshop in the glorious surroundings of the historic rhododendron wood, or immerse yourself in nature on a forest bathing session.

Under a Canopy - audio download

Meander through the beautiful Rhododendron Wood with an audio guided mindful walk 'Under a Canopy' by Alison Carlier. Take your time. Breathe slowly and deeply and relax. Download the audio guide here.