Completely in the dark

Autumn is a brilliant time to get outdoors, connect with nature and boost your sense of wellbeing. Tune into meditative forest-bathing, wild swim in the sea and raise your eyes to the mystery of star-studded skies. Or simply walk, reflect and get creative, says Kerry Fowler

The beauty of sky gazing is how simple and adaptable it is. Begin whenever you have some time outside or near a window where you can see the sky, even if it’s just a patch. When you feel emotionally overloaded or flat, try it for a few minutes at a time.

According to a growing number of scientists and doctors, many of us are no longer getting enough darkness in our lives. As human animals, we rely on the dark just as much as the light – it keeps our c

An early-morning dog walk through the woods sees John Lewis-Stempel coming face to face–or skin to spider silk–with the industrious magic of a September dawn

The spot lamp sweeps across the track as the Land Rover trundles forward, kicking up the unmistakable scent of the African bush at night. That pool of light reveals fleeting flashes of mopane and acac

The connection between nature and creativity comes in many forms. Here, artists, writers and musicians talk about the different ways in which they take inspiration from the outdoors - and share the places that fuel their imagination