Last Updated on May 21, 2024 by Suzy McCullough
I am a huge fan of Bluebells. I look forward to the bluebells blooming in our local woods in the Spring as much as I look forward to Christmas. We take more and more regular walks in the woods on the run-up so as not to miss out when they come into bloom. There is nothing like seeing a blanket of these gorgeous purple flowers. Especially if you’re lucky enough to catch a smell of them all. I needn’t worry though because the great thing about bluebells is how long they last. It can be at least a month. Usually from late April until mid/end of May.
I consider myself very lucky to live just a short walk or drive from one of the Woodland Trust’s best bluebell woods in the UK. Tattershall Carrs makes it to their top 10 so it truly must be as great as I think it is. It may be in the top 10 but it is amongst one of the quietest woods that I have ever visited. I have also asked other UK bloggers for their favourite places to see bluebells and I shall include links and photos below. The list features 18 Great Places to see Bluebells in the UK
1. My favourite – Tattershall Carrs, Lincolnshire. Woodland Trust
These woods are so inconspicuous that we didn’t even know they existed until after at least a year of living in Lincolnshire. If you don’t know the area the best place to park is in the car park in front of Thorpe Camp.
Tattershall Carrs Woods was once part of RAF Woodhall Spa during WWII which was home to the famous 617 Dambusters squadron. In the woods, you can find various abandoned buildings plus a fair few bunkers dotted around. It’s up to you to find them though, that’s all part of the fun.
The bunkers are Jamie’s main draw. He loves shouting into the doorway of each one and listening to his echo. We all have to take it in turns to shout or wake the bats up should I say. Not that we’ve ever seen one but the woods were once featured on Country file because of them.
You literally could be anywhere wandering through these woods. I get a real sense of escape from them. The woods are now divided by a farmer’s field but both sections have paths and are connected by a long wooded path across the centre of the field. If Lincolnshire is too far for you to visit during bluebell season then why not hunt down one of the recommended places below (in no particular order)
2. Pamphill Woods, Wimborne, Dorset
A small quote from her review “Wimborne is about 10 minutes from us but I’d never visited Bluebell Wood before. If you want to visit, it’s in Abbot Street Copse in the little village of Pamphill. There isn’t much there for most of the year but in April/May is full of bluebells as far as the eye can see.” Sarah Cronshaw
3. Micheldever Woods, near Southampton. Forestry Commission
“I went here last year, and it was stunning. Also includes a play area for the kids to enjoy”. Photo and suggestion from Stephanie Moore, you can read more here – www.blog.bay-bee.co.uk
4. Riverhill Himalayan Gardens, Sevenoaks
“A lovely peaceful gem, just off a main road, and it’s stunning. The tea isn’t bad either” Suggestion and photo from Frances Taylor at www.whingewhingewine.co.uk
5. St Andrews Woods, Shoreham, Kent. Woodland Trust
“Free parking, toilets, nature trails and little picnic areas. It’s really lovely” Suggestion and photo from Erica Knight www.theincidentalparent.com
6. Brede High Woods, near Battle, East Sussex. The Woodland Trust
“Two car park entrances. The woods are peaceful with the odd dog walker. They have wild horses and a post where an old farmhouse used to be alongside the original bricks. We also spotted a woodpecker” suggestion and photo from Lyndsay-Rose Pavoux at www.myfamilyofroses.co.uk
7. Cheddar Gorge, Somerset. Black rock and Longwood
“Perched high above the stunning Cheddar Gorge is the small reserve of Black Rock with its grassy slopes and remnants of the stony outcrops of Cheddar Gorge, the dry river valley of Velvet Bottom and the ancient woodland called Longwood. All three nature reserves are owned and maintained by Somerset Wildlife Trust and form a complex of walks and areas to explore outside of the tourist attractions of Cheddar Gorge. Getting away from the frenetic madness of the commercial Gorge, there is a beautiful landscape that is unspoilt and wild” Suggestion, website quote and photo all from Suzanne at www.meanderingwild.com
8. JF Kennedy Memorial in Runnymede, Surrey
“This was taken in the woods that surround the JF Kennedy Memorial in Runnymede, Surrey.
It’s a really peaceful place and you get a glorious view of London in the distance once you’ve walked to the top of the hill.” Suggestion and photo from Gemma Nuttall
9. Ashridge Estate, Hertfordshire. National Trust
A small quote from her post about the bluebells “Locally I had heard that Dockey Wood in Ashridge was the place to go. But from what I could gather from good old Google, it was quite a walk! We found a beautiful blanket of bluebells anyway so I was happy.” Suggestion, photo and link to full review from Amy Green at www.thesmallestofthings.com
10. Croome, Worcester. National Trust
“It is a Natural Trust site with acres to explore, all created by Capability Brown. I do not have a specific post about the bluebells, only images like this and a general review:
But in May the wooded part is full of bluebells. There is also the manor house and all manner of nooks to explore like the Rotunda and ice house and lakes and bridges. It is a wonderful place!” Suggestion and photo from Danielle Duggins at www.someonesmum.co.uk
11. Clanger Woods in Wiltshire. Woodland Trust
“We love Clanger Woods in Wiltshire. It’s a small place so we always seem to have it to ourselves” Small quote from her review “We wanted to go and see some bluebells so headed to Clanger Woods. This is a lovely little area managed by the Woodland Trust. We parked up and spotted a poster which read ‘FAIRY TRAIL’. Now, my children love fairy play so I thought this would help keep them occupied as we walked through the woods.” Suggestion, link to full review and photo from Jenny Kearney at www.the-gingerbread-house.co.uk
12. Baddesley Clinton, Lapworth, Warwickshire. National Trust
“Baddesley Clinton, National Trust in Lapworth has a nice bluebell walk on the path down to the church, lots of dandelions too if your kids like to blow them like mine! (apologies to the gardeners!)” Suggestion and photo from Lucy Cotterill www.realmumreview.com
13. Lodge Hill Bluebells in Yoxall, Burton-Upon-Trent, Midlands. Woodland Trust
“We love visiting the Bluebell Woods at Lodge Hill as there are many other things to see other than the Bluebells. After taking a stroll through the bluebells, you can visit the pigs and horses, or walk up to the big swing and look at the amazing views” Suggestion and photo from Zoe Lester at www.mymummysworld.co.uk
14. Blickling estate, Norfolk. National Trust
“We enjoyed the bluebells at the Blickling estate, Norfolk. A lovely pushchair-friendly walk” Suggestion and photo from Julie Wigg
15. Aber Falls, in North Wales
“Not only are there bluebells everywhere (it’s immense – it’s at the foot of the Carneddau mountains in Snowdonia) but there’s a 120ft waterfall, the mountains, hills, streams, little bridges. It’s the most picture-perfect place – like something from a fairy tale, especially with the bluebells everywhere” Suggestion and photo from Rachel Cooper at www.coffeecakekids.com
16. Renishaw Hall, near Sheffield
“We always go down to Renishaw Hall, the ancestral home of the Sitwells. I love that Dame Edith Sitwell wouldn’t go down to the bluebell woods for fear it would overwhelm her senses!” Suggestion, link to review and photo from Vanessa Charles at www.jibberjabberuk.co.uk
17. Houghall Woods, Durham, North East
“Bluebells everywhere you can look. The whole place looks and smells beautiful. Very easy to find as it’s opposite Durham’s Botanical Garden. I think we’ll be making the trip every year! ” Suggestion and photo from Caroline Lennox at www.sprogonthetyne.com
18. Rannerdale, Lake District
A small quote from her review “If you’re looking for somewhere special to visit in the Lake District, in May, then Rannerdale is always a favourite with locals and visitors alike. At this time of year, the mountainside is awash with fragrant bluebells as far as the eye can see.”
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