Mindful nature walk
Enjoy a gentle walk around Edenbrook Country Park connecting with the nature around you
Welcome to our Edenbrook Country Park mindful nature walk.
This walk will help you connect with nature and your inner self. There are eight signs along the route to guide you through the circular walk.
The route is wheelchair accessible with 90% being on gravel path and the rest being on grass paths which will be dry during the summer. The points that are along grass paths are points 4, 7 and 8.
If you enjoy the walk, why not pick up our free self-led mindful walk guide which you can use in any open green space, whether it's a park, woodland or a garden. Available from our council offices in Harlington Way, Fleet or download a copy.
Download mindful nature walk guide
How to enjoy this walk
- Pause and reflect: At each stop, take a moment to pause, observe and engage with your surroundings using your senses. There are benches at points 4 and 5 and benches near points 6 and 8, use them to take a break along your walk.
- Optional nature journaling: Feel free to use a sketchbook to record your thoughts or feelings. We’ve included journaling prompts at each stop, but it’s up to you if you want to use them.
Tips for a successful walk
- Go slow: This walk is about mindfulness, not speed. Take your time and move at a comfortable pace. At a steady pace this walk can take 30 minutes when not stopping, if you were to spend 5 minutes at each stop the walk could take 1 hour and 10 minutes.
- Stay present: Focus on what’s around you, using your senses to stay grounded in the moment.
- Be flexible: This guide is just that, a guide. Feel free to adapt it to suit your needs.
Map of walk
Directions and information
Directions to point one
From the main car park by the Leisure Centre, take the main path by the map board north towards the amenity fields. As you enter the open space, you’ll see a sign by the map board, this is point one.
What3words location for point one: ///ranted.shielding.crispier
Point one - Movement and body awareness
Instructions: Start by standing or sitting still and taking a deep breath. Slowly roll your shoulders and stretch, noticing how your body feels. Is there tension or relaxation? How does the ground feel beneath your feet?
Optional journaling: How do you feel as you begin your walk? You can sketch your surroundings or write about your initial impressions of the walk.
Directions to point two
Walk along the path to the right of the map board. When you reach a noticeboard, you will find the sign for point 2.
What3words location for point two: ///rehearsal.aliens.downsize
Point two - Sight
Instructions: Find a spot with a clear view. Spend a few minutes simply observing. Notice the colours, shapes and patterns. Look for details like the texture of a leaf or the play of light and shadow. What stands out to you?
Optional journaling: Sketch something that catches your eye or write about what you can see. How does the scenery make you feel?
Directions to point three
Take the path to your right, then walk over the bridge on your left and follow the path. When you reach the end of this path at a crossroads, stop here for point three.
What3words location for point three: ///trek.overruns.patio
Google map pin for point three
Point three - Sound
Instructions: Close your eyes and focus on the sounds around you. Can you hear birds, rustling leaves or distant voices? What’s the quietest sound you can detect?
Optional journaling: List or draw the sounds you notice. You could sketch what you think is making these sounds or reflect on how these sounds make you feel.
Directions to point four
Take the path to your right and walk across the bridge on your left follow this path until you reach point four.
What3words location for point four: ///skies.commoners.destined
Point four - Touch
Instructions: Explore what’s around you by touching things like tree bark, leaves, grass or stones. Notice the different textures, rough and smooth, warm and cool.
Optional journaling: You might do a texture rubbing or sketch a close-up of what you’ve touched. Write about how these sensations feel.
Directions to point five
Keep following the path. You will reach a crossroads keep going forward crossing the bridge. Once over the bridge turn left and then at the crossroads take the path to your right. Follow this path you you’ll find point five.
What3words location for point five: ///elevate.glorified.draw
Point five - Smell
Instructions: Take a deep breath and notice the scents around you. Smell the earth, water, plants or air. How do the scents change as you move?
Optional journaling: Describe or draw the smells you notice. Do they bring back any memories? How do they make you feel?
Directions to point six
Keep following the path you will cross another bridge and then pass an old hollow oak tree, shortly after the tree there will be another bridge and a pillbox. When you enter the open field you’ll see point six.
What3words location for point six: ///mavericks.grew.tiling
Point six - Temperature and weather
Instructions: Pause and consider the weather. Is it warm, cool, breezy or still? How does the air feel on your skin? Look at the sky and consider the weather and how it makes you feel.
Optional journaling: How does the weather impact your experience? You can sketch the sky or describe the weather and how it makes you feel.
Directions to point seven
At the fork in the road take the right hand path, you’ll reach a bench on your left and a gate on your right, go through the gate. Shortly after entering the wetland fields you’ll find a viewing platform on your left - this is point seven.
What3words location for point seven: ///teardrop.tightrope.stove
Google map pin for point seven
Point seven - Breath
Instructions: Take a few deep breaths, focus on the feeling of air moving in and out of your body. Notice how deep breathing can make you feel calm and clear.
Optional journaling: How do you feel after focusing on your breath? Draw something that makes you think of calm or stillness
Directions to point eight
Follow the path into this field, as you walk to the last stop you’ll pass another pillbox. When you reach the map board you’ll see point eight.
What3words location for point eight: ///clarifies.nudge.donation
Google map pin for point eight
Point eight - Reflection
Instructions: As you near the end of your walk, take a moment to reflect on your experience. How do you feel now compared to when you started? What did you enjoy most?
Optional journaling: Write about or draw your favourite part of the walk. Did you learn something along the walk?
Thank you for taking this mindful journey into nature, whether you simply went for a walk or journaled along your way. We hope this walk has helped you connect with nature and with yourself.
Why not finish your walk with a nice drink or snack at the Hart Leisure Centre Café, to reach the café from point 8 take the path to your right and follow this around to the main car park and then it’s a short walk to the café.
We created this walk with the support of the Here for Hart community network and is part of Hampshire County Council's sensory walks in nature trails.