Connecting with nature: A wellbeing walk at Harcourt Arboretum
Colleagues from the department took part in a guided wellbeing walk at Harcourt Arboretum, exploring the calming effects of nature as part of Mental Health Awareness Week.
Connecting with Nature: A Wellbeing Walk at Harcourt Arboretum
As part of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, staff from the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences took time out to connect with nature during a guided walk at Harcourt Arboretum. Led by Rodger Caseby, Wellbeing Outreach Officer at the University of Oxford’s Botanic Gardens and Arboretum, the walk was a chance to pause, breathe, and take in the sights and sounds of the natural world.
Harcourt Arboretum, located just outside Oxford, has been part of the University since 1947. Originally created to house trees that could not survive in the Oxford Botanic Garden, it has grown into a carefully managed space where people can enjoy nature in a peaceful setting. Research shows that spending time in green spaces like this can help improve mental wellbeing, leaving us feeling calmer, happier, and more connected.
Our department encourages activities that support mental health, and this trip offered a welcome break from the usual routine. Transport was arranged to make it easy for people to join, and it was great to see colleagues come together for this shared experience.
The weather was on our side, with bright sunshine bringing the Arboretum to life. Rodger guided us through some of its seasonal highlights, from the colourful rhododendron and azalea shrubs in full bloom, to the towering presence of one of the UK’s oldest redwood trees. One of the most memorable moments was seeing a Japanese tree species that is even rarer than the Black Rhino — a surprising and humbling reminder of the diversity of the plant world.
Throughout the walk, Rodger shared insights into how the shapes and patterns we see in forests, known as ‘fractals’, can have a calming effect on our minds. It was a chance to reflect on the small details that can go unnoticed in everyday life, and how these can help us feel more grounded.
Adding a bit of character to the day were the resident peacocks, who made themselves known with their occasional loud calls, often perfectly timed to interrupt Rodger’s tour. Their presence added to the sense that this was a day out of the ordinary.
Overall, the visit was a gentle reminder of the simple but powerful impact that time in nature can have on our mental wellbeing.