Feel serene in the green

Connect with others on a group walk in nature. Being active in nature is good for us because moving more and spending less time sitting can reduce the risk of preventable diseases (e.g. diabetes and cardiovascular disease), build or maintain muscle strength, increase energy levels and improve stress management.

• Ready Steady Walks are pushchair friendly social walks for families with young children.
• Dementia Adventure offer support, tips and ideas to help people living with dementia experience the many benefits of connecting with nature.
• Wellbeing walks are available in all Districts and Boroughs:
• Ramblers run wellbeing walks in East Hampshire, Havant, Basingstoke, Eastleigh southern parishes
• Winchester, Fareham and New Forest health walks are coordinated by Community First
• Gosport Walking for Health run historic and nature routes
• Hart run regular health walks and Walk and Talk Counselling in Nature for 1:1 support
• Rushmoor offer regular wellbeing walks

Learn more about nature by taking part in a BioBlitz which is an opportunity to better understand the variety of flora and fauna in the area.

Become a citizen scientist by taking part in a nature project.

There are lots of apps to identify and record what nature you see.

Learn bird calls and songs. There are apps such as Merlin or websites such as birdsong identification for beginners or wetland bird calls to get you started.

Have a go at map reading and boost your skills by orienteering in nature – you can find permanent courses or join a local club.

Volunteering is great for your wellbeing. By doing it outside, being active and social with other people, this boosts the benefits even more. Conservation volunteering is also great for the climate and nature by promoting biodiversity and nature restoration. There are lots of local conservation and nature volunteer groups across Hampshire:

• From wildlife surveys, to footpath wardens or vegetation clearance, help Hampshire Countryside Services.
• Help conserve habitats with The Conservation Volunteers.
• Help look after nature with Hampshire Conservation Volunteers.
• Protect wildlife or wild your local area with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.
• Plant hedgerows with Hampshire CPRE.
• Plant woodland, orchards and hedges with Hampshire Forest Partnership.
• The Greening Campaign coordinates a number of local community groups across Hampshire that take action on a range of climate change activities. One of the five ‘pillars’ is to create or improve space for nature.
• There are many local ‘Friends of’ groups for parks, gardens, orchards and open spaces too – search your local area online.

Seeing or hearing birds improves mental wellbeing, reduces stress and anxiety, so why not give birdwatching a go? Dive in with this beginner’s guide to birdwatching.

Bird Aware Solent lists birds you may see whilst you explore the Solent. Their rangers give plenty of recommendations about where to go to see the best birdlife along the Solent coast – don’t forget your binoculars.

Hampshire Ornithology Society lists bird sites across Hampshire and offers a range of walks and events including a ‘birding basics’ workshop to get you started.

The RSPB have two reserves to explore in Hampshire plus local groups in Basingstoke, New Forest, North East Hants, Portsmouth and Winchester to meet like-minded people and learn more about birds and wildlife.

If you’re interested in recording local sightings of species there are a range of local recording groups.

Try forest bathing to connect your senses with nature and take notice of what’s around you. Forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, is a Japanese relaxation practice. Simply, it involves being calm and quiet amongst the trees, observing nature around you whilst breathing deeply. It can help people de-stress and improve wellbeing naturally.

Self-Led Mindful Nature Walk Guide by Hart District Council, but useful tips for people to use in any green space

Watch these tips for exploring the countryside for mental wellbeing with Ben, a Hampshire Countryside Services Ranger.

Find walking, cycling, running, horse riding and sensory walks across our Hampshire countryside and country parks. Watch the Hidden Walks of Hampshire videos for inspiration. If you’re unsure about permissions on a route you can view the rights of way finder map. Need help with map reading? Check out OS Maps: How-to videos or read their map reading guides.

Hampshire is home to two National Parks, filled with opportunities to connect with nature. Discover the New Forest and the South Downs for walking, cycling, running, riding and seasonal events.

Find your local Forestry England site, including Alice Holt Forest which has a weekly ParkRun, wellbeing and sensory trails, inclusive cycling and more.

The National Trust has gardens, parks and countryside to discover across Hampshire, including many walking routes.

The Woodland Trust has mapped many tree-filled sites across Hampshire, perfect for exploring – check the location details for information on parking, muddiness, etc.

Explore local gardens through the National Gardens Scheme – some private gardens open to the public during the year to share their joy. Read more about their Gardens and Health programme.

You could download the Geocaching app to help you discover new places with purpose and fun for the family, searching for the hidden ‘treasure’.

ParkRun offers friendly, free 5K walk, jog and run events every Saturday at 9am, held in green spaces across Hampshire – find your nearest ParkRun route.

Explore this list of nature sites that offer mobility aids to hire at low or no cost, helping to make nature accessible to everyone. Whether you or your loved one has short or long term mobility issues, these options are a great way to explore nature, with wheels to help!

There are many parks and nature sites across the county managed by District or Borough Local Authorities. Check your local council webpages to find nearby open green spaces, allotments, play areas, nature areas, conservation and gardening volunteering groups:

• Basingstoke: Natural Basingstoke lists 18 conservation groups across the borough. Local charity Inspero run garden therapy and WellnessNWellies groups and have two community gardens. The borough website lists information about green spaces and nature volunteering.
• East Hants: climate and natural environment and physical activity pages list relevant information. Hogmoor Inclosure in Bordon has a nature and heritage rubbings trail, and an accessible Tramper for hire. Butser Hill National Nature Reserve provides fantastic scenery and wildlife spotting opportunities.
• Eastleigh: has two country parks as well as open spaces, protecting wildlife and physical activity including cycling and walking information.
• Fareham: find open spaces and self-guided walking routes.
• Gosport: discover the countryside opportunities including a conservation group, wildlife garden, geocaching and more. Plus, a map of all open spaces.
• Hart: Countryside and Leisure list including their Green Garden community growing project.
• Havant: nearby long-distance walking paths, cycling map, community litter picking. Explore beautiful parkland steeped in history at Staunton Country Park.
• New Forest: The Green Health Hub is a directory of activities for wellbeing in the great outdoors in the New Forest, including volunteering, gardening, arts, accessible cycling and walking. Find local open spaces outside of the National Park.
• Rushmoor: community gardening and green listings.
• Test Valley: explore their nature reserves, they welcome citizen scientists to monitor biodiversity, and find information on outdoor physical activity, walking, cycling and fishing opportunities. Andover Mind have a new Garden for Mind project at Longstock Park Nursery, on the Waitrose & Partners Leckford Estate for volunteers and service users to connect with nature and community.
• Winchester: explore their open spaces, geocaching and hedgehog project.