Clients often tell me they chose walk and talk counselling because, living in London, they miss many aspects of nature found in the countryside.

Some of these we can find in London's many green spaces: we're surrounded by flowers, trees, lakes and birdsong in our outdoor therapy sessions.

Sometimes, however, we yearn for wilder walks and wider vistas — stretches of sky uncluttered by urban development. I thought, therefore, I'd add occasional suggestions of simple days out of London, all accessible by public transport. Once you know where to go, there are many woodlands, nature reserves and wild swimming spots within an hour or so of central London. I think of these as my spa days and I pepper my self-care routine with as many as I can.

Today I took the train from Kings' Cross to Cambridge (51 minutes) and walked past the Botanical Gardens (beautiful, for another day out), via the fens, to Grantchester Meadows. This is an easy cycle ride, also, as the route follows paths and is flat.

I followed the River Cam through a wildlife reserve then across the Meadows, passing a quiet herd of cows. There were mallards, moorhens and swans on the water beside the punts and canoes.

You can picnic here among the willows; in early autumn, pick blackberries and look for bats at dusk.

There are signs up to mark the local wild swimming spot, though I'd check for online water quality updates.