Staff Writer Lara Bevan-Shiraz, who spent a weekend frolicking in mud and shuffling through leaves during reading week, encourages readers to get their dose of nature.
Over the weekend before reading week, I reawakened my senses walking along the tree-lined avenues and informal footpaths at Westonbirt, The National Arboretum. My eyes re-attuned to take in the minutiae of blended tones on the leaves as they contrasted with the striking heights of the canopies. My ears caught the whispers of myriad breezes as they stirred up bursts of colour, scattering leaves like confetti. I relished in the surprising softness of a fir tree and the absolute delight of squelching in the mud. The fragrance of moss-covered bark and damp earth filled my lungs.
With 2,500 tree species, Westonbirt at this time of year is resplendent with treelines and leaf litter, ranging from shimmering gold to popping vermilion. Split into two main sections (the Old Arboretum and Silk Wood, with the Downs in between), there are a great variety of landscapes to explore.
While the Old Arboretum feels delicately manicured, with avenues crisscrossing the pathways, it nevertheless retains a natural charm and serenity that contrasts with the comparatively bustling paths of Silk Wood, which woodland crafts market and dog-walkers provide greater opportunity to immerse yourself in the undergrowth.
Their careful planting is arranged to showcase Westonbirt’s leafy gems on its main accessible hard paths, and intimacy is also ensured by unsurfaced, woodchip and delightfully muddy informal paths. This has created options from which visitors can choose, as opposed to tiered access to nature based upon mobility. A shuttle also runs within the Arboretum around the central Downs, and there are all-terrain mobility scooters available to book.
A Treetop Walkway towards lower Silk Wood also provides accessible bird’s nest height views to admire the sloping landscape as well as level access between the Downs and Silk Wood. While Westonbirt offer discounts to students and those arriving by green transport (bus/train/cycling), there are also free ways to enjoy some of its seasonal magic, whether through public rights of way traversing the Arboretum’s 600 acres or along footpaths, bridleways or a circular ramble through the surrounding fields.
Getting your dose of nature isn’t just a tired metaphor, it’s a well-researched fact. Fractal patterns, found in nature where patterns repeat at scale and exemplified by trees, decrease stress and improve cognitive function, providing much-needed respite and recuperation. So, whilst it may seem counterintuitive, taking a weekend off to enjoy the seasonal changes will pay dividends in a fresher, calmer mind when you’ve got to crunch deadlines rather than autumn foliage.
Neuroscientists suggest we should try spending at least 30 minutes with fractal patterns a day to feel the effect. If that seems tricky, slot it in during apparent downtimes – have lunch in the park or a break between lectures. You can even plot and plug a small detour into your daily commute. For a more structured introduction closer to King’s than the Cotswolds, the Forest Bathing Institute runs Spring-Summer sessions at Kew Gardens and year-round trips at Epping Forest.
Alternatively, here’s how I attempted to develop a Mini Fractal Forest at home:
- Potted plants, such as ferns and cacti, add pockets of fractals to your living space.
- Fractal benefits translate across images too, so frame some nature photography (seascapes, clouds, mountains, almost anything) or if you’d rather, a Pollock painting!
- Display mementos from previous nature fixes: pine cones, shells, and leaves!
- Listen to some Bach! (Here’s the science).
(So far, my cats have chewed the fern, chased down the pine cones and attempted to knock over the picture frame, so here’s to Bach, warm tea, and Museum Wax!)
Westonbirt’s nearest station is Kemble, to which a direct train runs hourly from Paddington, taking 1h 9mins, with direct buses to the Arboretum from Monday-Saturday.
