The prettiest places to see bluebells in the UK this spring and the walks to find them
SPRING may be taking its time coming to the UK but there are still plenty of places where you can see bluebells this April.
The blooming date for bluebells varies depending on the weather, but you can usually see them in April and May.
There are hundreds of woods, woodlands and parks where bluebells bloom in the UK, but some are slightly more well-regarded than others.
Pamphill Bluebell Wood
One of those places is Pamphill Bluebell Wood in East Dorset, which has been described as one of the most popular places to see bluebells.
Set within the Kingston Lacy Estate, a 17th-century home built to resemble an Italian Palace, Pamphill Bluebell Wood is home to ancient trees that have created the perfect habitat for the spring flowers.
The site has designated free parking in April and May just for blooming season.
Visitors to the wood have described it as “lovely” and “peaceful” in their online reviews.
Pamphill Bluebell Wood is a 36-minute drive from Bournemouth, and it’s a 57-minute drive from Southampton.
If Dorset is a little tricky to reach, then you’ll be relieved to know that there are plenty of other places to see bluebells in the UK.
Bluebell Woodland at Hatchlands Park
One of those places is the Bluebell Woodland at Hatchlands Park – one of the largest country estates in the green belt surrounding Greater London.
A carpet of bluebells is said to cover the wood in late April and early May.
Entry tickets to Hatchlands Park cost £12 for a full-paying adult, £6 for children, and it’s free for members of the National Trust.
In addition to the Bluebell Woodland, there are several other things to see at Hatchlands Park, including a country house, a play area, a second-hand bookshop and a cafe.
Castle Ward
Located in County Down, Northern Ireland, Castle Ward is an 18th-century mansion set within an 820-acre estate.
The famous mansion has a bluebell trail that stretches for more than five miles.
Visitors will be able to pick up a bluebell map from reception to explore the trail.
In addition to the bright blue flowers, rare white bluebells have also been known to flower in the huge estate.
Other attractions include Clock tower, which was the backdrop for Winterfell in Game of Thrones, and a play area.
Entry tickets to Castle Ward cost £13 for a full-paying adult, £6.50 for children, and it’s free for members of the National Trust.
Clumber Park
Clumber Park is part of a circular walking route that starts in Hardwick Village, which is just a 50-minute drive from Sheffield.
Along the walking trail, ramblers will pass several woodland areas that are often home to flowering bluebell in the spring.
Other points of interest include the former ducal estate, cross heathland and farmland and the Clumber Lake.
Emmetts Garden
Located on one of the highest spots in Kent, Emmetts Garden is an Edwardian estate famed for its rare trees and shrubs.
Because of its population of native English bluebells, the woods at Emmetts Garden have been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Other points of floral interest include the Alpine Rock Garden and the Rose Garden.
Entry tickets to Emmetts Garden cost £10 for a full-paying adult, £5.00 for children, and it’s free for members of the National Trust.
Cherry Blossom in the UK
There are plenty of other seasonal flower fields to visit in the UK, including the cherry blossom at Alnwick Gardens.
Alnwick Gardens is home to a 328-strong cherry orchard, which transforms into a sea of white every spring.
Rivalling the spring blossoms of Mount Fuji and Tokyo, Japan, The Alnwick Garden is the ideal location to capture the tree’s brief flowers.
Whether it be for romantic walks or pictures for Instagram, the orchard is one of the UK’s most popular cherry blossom locations.
The orchard’s type of Taihaku cherry tree named Great White is known for its snow-coloured flowers that can grow up to 6cm in width.
Three other flower attractions to visit in the UK
- Garson Farm in Esher, Surrey, has sunflower and dahlia fields for the photo opp, as well as PYO fruit and vegetables. Visitors have to buy a farm pass to visit, which costs £5 for an adult and £2 for a child.
- Hitchin Lavender, which made its name thanks to the purple blooms, has a lavender museum, as well as a wild flower meadow. Entry to the fields costs £7 when bought in advance online.
- Alnwick Garden receives over 350,000 visitors every year thanks to its 328-strong cherry orchard. The best time to capture their beauty is during the end of April and the beginning of May – although this time differs depending on the weather.
Meanwhile, Brit holidaymakers who want to visit a field of flowers might want to try the Rose Valley in Bulgaria.
Located south of the Balkan Mountains, the Rose Valley is entirely unique to Bulgaria.