HARDCASTLE Crags is waxing lyrical about a new woodland trail offering a mindful and contemplative journey. One Thus Gone is based around a series of short poems, written specifically for the National Trust-owned Hardcastle Crags estate at Hebden Bridge.

The poems guide visitors through the woodland, which is accessed from the road over the moors from Oxenhope. Walking up from the car parks at the end of Midgehole Road, you will see an information board on the gate post.

Follow the instructions and take the Estate Track for about a third of a mile when you will see a large clearing to your left and the first poem on your right-hand side. Follow this path up and you will come across seven more poems, which each invite you to take your time and explore sensory and contemplative ways to deepen your woodland experience.

The eighth poem is just before the meandering path that returns you to the estate track: follow this to Gibson Mill at the weekends for a chance to warm up in front of the café stove and reflect on your time in the woodland.

The National Trust has been working in partnership with the University of Huddersfield to explore different ways to experience the woodland.

Deborah Templeton, a freelance writer and director of the Mindfulness and Performance Project at the University of Huddersfield, said: “Spending time amongst trees is such a great way to slow down and tap into our reservoirs of natural wellbeing - but sometimes we need a little help in shifting gears!

“I’m interested in the ways that poetry and other artforms can help us to find our way into more spacious and contemplative modes of being. One Thus Gone is designed as an invitation to the visitor to explore sensory and reflective ways to deepen their woodland experience.”

Hardcastle Crags has also created an indoor forest of storytelling trees, entitled The Grimm Forest, inside Gibson Mill. The Grimm Forest is an exhibition of 11 tree sculptures with hand coloured images, inspired by stories collected by the Brothers Grimm.

Originally commissioned by the Royal Festival Hall, it was designed and made by artists Steve Gumbley and Jane Revitt. It has exhibited across the UK and a castle in Germany, and now it returns back to its roots.

The exhibition runs until Sunday February 23, and on the final day there will be a guided walk through the woodland, finishing with an intimate acoustic gig from folk band Sallows in the café. Whether playing their own original music, where they tell tales of the land and everyday struggles that transcend time, or traditional tunes from year gone by, Sallows’ atmospheric folk music is rooted in telling stories and passing things on.

With their interest in recounting tales and connecting with the past, their music is the ideal way to celebrate the final day of The Grimm Forest, in amongst the trees of Hardcastle Crags and the historic walls of Gibson Mill. Booking is essential, by visiting nationaltrust.org.uk. Tickets cost £8.

Gibson Mill sits in the middle of the woods at Hardcastle Crag, and there are several walking routes to reach it from the National Trust car parks, each taking about 30 minutes. Entry to Gibson Mill and the exhibition is free.