Panshanger Park launches 'PanshanGo' wellbeing challenge

Throughout the campaign, which aims to improve mental health and wellbeing, visitors to the park are challenged to complete one or two activities in the park each week and share their results.

Visitors can admire the views on a park bench as part of the PanshanGo challenge (Image: Tarmac)

Activities can include walking one of the park's woodland trails, exploring the River Mimram or the lakes, and visiting historical sights or the Panshanger Great Oak Tree.

Other places to visit in the park are the Dragonfly Trail - which complements the park's official recognition as a hotspot by the British Dragonfly Society - and the Queen's Wood, where 17,000 trees were planted as part of the Queen's Green Canopy initiative.

The Panshanger Great Oak (Image: Tarmac)

Visitors can also take part in the Panshanger Parkrun - a free 5k event which takes place every Saturday at 9am.

However not all activities have to involve exercise, as completing a crossword on a park bench, meditating, birdwatching and looking out for wildlife can all contribute to mental wellbeing.

A 2015 study conducted by the University of Essex showed that people who had more contact with nature experienced reduced stress and anxiety, benefited from more positive self-esteem and mood and increased their physical activity - resulting in improvements to overall health.

Panshanger Park visitors can share their activities on social media (Image: Tarmac)

Michael Charlton, estates manager at Panshanger Park, which is run by Tarmac, said: "We’re delighted to launch the PanshanGo campaign, as we know how important it is to look after our physical and mental health, and that experiencing nature and the outdoors can play a part in this.

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"I often walk around the park to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature, and the park’s historical features.

The woodland walk at Panshanger Park (Image: Tarmac)

"It really helps me break away from my day-to-day tasks, even if it’s just for 15 minutes.

"I would recommend anyone to take part in the PanshanGo challenge and experience the park for themselves."

Participants are invited to join in the PanshanGo challenge and share their photos and videos of them doing activities.

This can be done by either tagging Panshanger Park on social media and using the hashtag #PanshanGo, or emailing PanshangerPhotos@tarmac.com.