A first-of-its-kind event is set to take place at a rewilding site in the UK, inviting people of all ages to join in a mass nature bathe. The Great Pause, organized by national charity Heal Rewilding, will be held at their flagship nature recovery project in east Somerset on Sunday 19 July from 3pm onwards.
The event offers a unique opportunity for individuals to pause, slow down, and reconnect with the natural world in the company of others. Attendees will be encouraged to immerse themselves in nature and experience a collective period of silence, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the rewilding landscape.
While nature bathing and mindfulness in nature have gained popularity in recent years, Heal Rewilding believes this will be the first time a mass nature bathing experience will be held on a UK rewilding site, bringing together a large number of people for a shared moment of stillness in a dedicated nature recovery landscape.
Jan Stannard, co-founder of Heal Rewilding, emphasizes the importance of spending time in nature for mental wellbeing. “Nature has an extraordinary ability to help us slow down, restore perspective, and improve our wellbeing,” she says. “The Great Pause is about creating a shared moment of stillness in beautiful surroundings where nature is rebounding. By being together in silence and simply listening to nature, we can create a rare moment of collective calm that benefits our mental health and reminds us that we are part of the natural world, not separate from it.”
The event is open to everyone, including children of all ages, and has been designed to be accessible and welcoming. Two areas will be used for the event, with one for adults and young people aged 14 and over seeking a quieter experience, and another family-friendly space for children to enjoy in a more relaxed environment.
The event is free to attend, with a suggested voluntary donation of £10 per person to support Heal’s work. Attendees are only required to bring a blanket to lie on, and are also welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy after the event. Camping will also be available in the evening for those who wish to extend their immersion in the rewilding landscape.
As more individuals seek opportunities to disconnect from busy modern lives and spend time outdoors, The Great Pause offers a simple yet powerful invitation: to stop, listen, and experience the restorative benefits of nature as part of a community.
For more information and to book a place and optional camping, visit the event website. Images to accompany the story can be found here. Heal Rewilding’s website is also available for further information.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Katie Stearn-Mills, katie.stearn-mills@healrewilding.org.uk, 07594 121320
Jan Stannard, jan@healrewilding.org.uk, 07710 171704
About Heal Rewilding:
Heal Rewilding is a registered charity dedicated to raising funds, purchasing land in England, and rewilding it to aid nature recovery, climate action, and wellbeing. Through rebuilding wildlife populations, community involvement, and storytelling, Heal aims to reconnect people with nature and help tackle the climate and ecological crises. The organization’s first rewilding site, Heal Somerset, was purchased in December 2022 and is open for free public access 50 weeks a year.
