‘The bluebell is the sweetest flower That waves in summer air; Its blossoms have the mightiest power To soothe my spirit's care.’
With spring starting to show its welcome face here in South West England, our thoughts are turning to spring walking. As the weather starts to warm and the first wildflowers emerge, we nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts are waiting with baited breath for one of England’s most anticipated spring displays: The profusion of bluebells in woodlands and hedgerows across the country.
Known in the past as lady’s nightcap, witches’ thimbles and (my personal favourite) cuckoo’s boots, these delicate, sweet smelling blooms start to emerge from late March onwards until early May, forming incredible indigo-blue carpets across woodland floors.
They really are one of the highlights of spring. And there’s no better place to see them than in the UK. Great Britain is home to around half the world’s population of bluebells. They are a common site in many of our woodlands, especially those that are very old (over 400 years). So if you’re walking through swathes of these drooping blue flowers on one of our Foot Trails, you can be sure that you are treading on ancient ground. Who knows how many travellers have trodden these same pathways over the centuries?
Knowing the best places to see this seasonal spectacle is often down to local knowledge. Which secret little corner of ancient woodland is the perfect spot to see these wonderful flowers? The intense blue-indigo contrasting with the deep greens and browns of the forest. Iridescent patches lit up by shafts of light falling through the trees. All set to the backdrop of busy woodland birdsong.
We know what a wonderful experience this is and are keen to share these and other seasonal highlights with our guests. For us, it’s a quintessential part of walking in the English countryside. If you’re looking for inspiration for a spring walking adventure, simply visit our spring website page or send us an email.
