Under the trees at Kedleston

Mention Kedleston Hall, and most people will probably think of the lavishly-decorated building itself. Originally intended to impress visitors with a display of wealth, I find it all a bit over the top, but I DO like the grounds, especially a stroll along a route known as The Short Walk. It's not long (obviously), taking an hour or thereabouts at a gentle pace, and has a good graveled footpath for most of its length, making it good for an autumn walk.









First I wanted to see how the wild flower beds in the 'pleasure grounds' were doing. I saw these back in summer and hadn't really expected to find much beyond seed-heads now, but there are still flowers there, and I guess will be till the frosts.













Then off for the walk proper ...  as I said, there's a good solid path for most of the way, lined by an avenue of trees.

The path heads uphill with views opening up over the Kedleston estate, but I was more interested this time in the trees themselves and the changing colours of autumn foliage.

The full Long Walk makes a circle from the house, following higher ground around the parkland immediately next to Kedleston Hall; having gone halfway round, the Short Path then cuts back across fields to the hall, and as it was close to closing time we chose the shorter way. The trees in the parkland seem cunningly placed to hide the hall from view - this shot below is taken looking directly at the hall. As you walk further, the hall gradually becomes visible, till a view opens up looking directly at it (but that's on the Long Walk, not this short version)

I'm not sure if a walk such as this really counts as forest bathing, for a great distance the trees merely line the route though later it does run through woods, but I find walking under trees is always relaxing and invigorating.