South
Emmett’s Garden, Kent
The bluebells at this garden near Sevenoaks are so special that it was named a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). They grow on the side of the hill, giving them an eye-catching angle for photographs, while gnarly tree stumps add a fanciful focus point. nationaltrust.org.uk/emmetts-garden
Richmond Park, London
London’s largest Royal Park is best known for its deer population, but you won’t find any wayward hooves trampling these bluebells. Head for the 40-acre Isabella Plantation at the park’s southern tip to discover the Bluebell Walk, plus rhododendrons and camellias aplenty. royalparks.org.uk/parks/richmond-park
Wanstead Park, London
Get off the Central Line at Wanstead, and within 20 minutes, you will be strolling through Epping Forest’s finest carpet of bluebells. Saunter to Chalet Wood to see thousands showing off their best bonnets. leytonstone.net/bluebells
Cowleaze Wood, Oxfordshire
Just a half-hour drive from central Oxford, Cowleaze Wood is the Chiltern hub for a dose of the ultraviolets. Dogs are welcome, and there are plenty of picnic benches to enjoy a spring sarnie or two. forestryengland.uk/cowleaze-wood
Prior’s Wood, Avon
Bristol has an array of bluebell sighting spots, but Prior’s Wood near Portishead is the one to beat. Head to the southern and western corners of the nature reserve for the most spectacular displays, or sit back with your twitcher’s hat to sight buzzards and chiffchaffs. avonwildlifetrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/priors-wood
Pamphill, Dorset
Situated on the Kingston Lacy Estate (an eccentric mansion near Bournemouth and Poole), Pamphill’s bluebells are peppered inside a hilltop copse, where more than 2,500 new trees are springing up. Plus, there are two ice creameries to try. nationaltrust.org.uk/kingston-lacy
Buckland Abbey, Devon
Buckland Abbey is a monastery-turned-mansion built in 1278 that boasts a sloped scatter of sweet-scented flowers
Near Plymouth, meet the Tamar Valley’s best kept-secret: Buckland Abbey, a monastery-turned-mansion built in 1278 that boasts a sloped scatter of sweet-scented flowers. A variety of walks traverse the bluebell meadows and abbey grounds, each culminating in tantalizing Tamar vistas. nationaltrust.org.uk/buckland-abbey
Idle Woods, Cornwall
The Forestry Commission recently voted this woodland two miles north of Truro one of its 10 best places to see bluebells in the UK. Moss-covered logs live among the deciduous forest, as do pixies (if you believe Cornish folklore). forestryengland.uk/idless-woods
Hinton Ampner, Hampshire
North of Southampton and Portsmouth, Hinton Ampner’s glorious grounds were planted in the 20th century by their owner, master green thumb Ralph Dutton. The bluebells come out in early to mid-May, and form part of a pleasant four-mile walk through the uniquely landscaped estate. nationaltrust.org.uk/hinton-ampner
Sheffield Park, East Sussex
Forty-five minutes outside Brighton, this recently restored bluebell woodland dating from the early 1700s is a charming place for a South Downs day out. Hornbeam trees dapple the sunlight across the forest floor, and an all-natural art installation explains the bluebells’ history. nationaltrust.org.uk/sheffield-park-and-garden
Gamlingay Woods, Cambridgeshire
Halfway between Bedford and Cambridge, bluebells thrive on the clay soil of this SSSI. The local wildlife trust runs guided weekend walks through the fairy flowers, as well as other fascinating parts of the 1,000-year-old woodland. wildlifebcn.org/nature-reserves/gamlingay-wood
Micheldever Wood, Hampshire
Micheldever’s swathes of bluebells and beeches are made for those who need a little more time
A hop, skip and jump from Winchester, Micheldever’s swathes of bluebells and beeches are made for those who need a little more time: two parts of the patch flower at different times in the season, providing a bigger bluebell window.
Micheldever Wood, Hampshire
A hop, skip and jump from Winchester, Micheldever’s swathes of bluebells and beeches are made for those who need a little more time: two parts of the patch flower at different times in the season, providing a bigger bluebell window. forestryengland.uk/micheldever-wood
Blickling Hall, Norfolk
The ancestral home of the Boleyn family, Blickling Hall near Norwich, is more than its grand Jacobean frontage. The bluebells are as preened as the Boleyn sisters: every winter, coppicing and bramble clearing takes place, so the bells can soak up sunlight before blooming. nationaltrust.org.uk/blickling-estate
midlands
Clent Hills, Worcestershire
Ten miles south-west of Birmingham city center stood the Clent Hills, an undulating area filled with follies, standing stones and of course, bluebells, typically found sheltering under canopies. nationaltrust.org.uk/clent-hills
Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire
Less than an hour from Nottingham, vast Clumber Park has cluster upon cluster of bluebells. A three-mile walk, takes you through the flowers, past a lake and picturesque chapel, and back to the brick-and-beam village in time for afternoon tea. nationaltrust.org.uk/clumber-park
Ecclesall Woods, South Yorkshire
The bell-filled grove in Sheffield’s southerly suburbs is just a 30-minute cycle from the centre, and has more than nine miles of public footpath to meander. If your feet need a rest, a miniature railway puffs its way through the trees. sheffield.gov.uk/home/parks-sport-recreation/ecclesall-woods
Calke Abbey, Derbyshire
Snake through Serpentine Wood on the grounds of this National Nature Reserve to enjoy the heavy-headed flowers, which take up to 200 years to form such a picturesque patch. For a more outré experience, try the deliberately dilapidated mansion and faded walled garden. nationaltrust.org.uk/calke-abbey
More from style
North
North Cliffe Wood Nature Reserve, East Yorkshire
Halfway between Hull and York is a springtime vision of lilac, green and yellow: warblers fill the birch trees, while bluebells cover the forest floor. Need a change of scene? Venture into the heathland to experience a different type of habitat. ywt.org.uk/nature-reserves/north-cliffe-wood-nature-reserve
Hardcastle Crags, West Yorkshire
Here’s a wild walk with a springtime twist. The rocky ravines are punctuated with old cotton mills, flowing streams and, of course, bluebells. Capturing that perfect shot is encouraged, to be rewarded with a coffee made with water filtered from the nearby stream. nationaltrust.org.uk/hardcastle-crags
Speke Hall, Merseyside
The Mersey’s finest Tudor house, adjacent to John Lennon Airport, is a fantastic place to see bluebells. Just west of the house you will find thousands of them, and a leaf-strewn path winds through the trees. Check social media to find out when the blues are in bloom. nationaltrust.org.uk/speke-hall-garden-and-estate
Dunham Massey, Greater Manchester
A short hop from Manchester, this is an enchanting place for a Sunday stroll. Spread out beneath the oaks for a picnic among the bluebells, admire the rare giant Chinese lilies elsewhere in the garden, or sip local cider across the road at the Dunham Massey press. nationaltrust.org.uk/dunham-massey
Allen Banks, Northumberland
The county’s largest ancient woodland, 40 minutes on the A69 from Newcastle, has strips of bluebells interspersed between whimsical white ramsons (wild garlic). On particularly toasty days, the pungent allium fills your nostrils, so bring a picnic to counteract the resulting hunger. nationaltrust.org.uk/allen-banks-and-staward-gorge
Scotland
Extending over 12,000 acres, the Glen Finglas estate is the Woodland Trust’s biggest site
Mugdock Country Park, East Dunbartonshire/Stirling
The bluebell dells of Mugdock, eight miles north of Glasgow, are growing in size. Seeing the purple rain has never been easier, with plenty of accessible trails. Lochs and ruined castles are also worth a nose. mugdock-country-park.org.uk/
Dalkeith Country Park, Lothian
Early May is the best time to see bluebells in the Scottish lowlands, so get your boots on and get out to Dalkeith, near Edinburgh. The 30-minute Red Trail takes you through the new blooms, but you might see new life of a different form, too, such as adorable baby roe deer, badgers and birds. www.dalkeithcountrypark.co.uk
Glen Finglas, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs
Extending over 12,000 acres, the Glen Finglas estate is the Woodland Trust’s biggest site. The 900m Drippan Loop, from the car park at Lendrick Hill, should give you a good sighting of bluebells, along with spectacular views to Loch Venachar. Or, if you are with children, try the 1.5km Little Druim Wood trail, which includes plenty of natural features to play on. woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/glen-finglas/
Balmacaan Woods, Highlands
Bluebells mix with the other purple Flowers of Scotland (heather) at these woods near Inverness. After you have finished wandering the woods, take a seat under the Scots pines and see if you can spot Nessie. woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/balmacaan/
Northern Ireland
In the shadow of the Morne Mountains is one of Northern Ireland’s best bluebell-and-beech trails, by the banks of the Shimna River
Tollymore Forest Park, Co Down
In the shadow of the Morne Mountains is one of Northern Ireland’s best bluebell-and-beech trails, by the banks of the Shimna River. Come in early May for the brightest blooms, and in the early morning for the best camera-friendly light. nidirect.gov.uk/articles/tollymore-forest-park
Mount Stewart, Co Down
The pale indigo slopes of Mount Stewart’s grounds are but a breeze from Belfast, on the shores of Strangford Lough. The mild climate allows bluebells to thrive, as well as other pretty plants; visit the Italian, Spanish and Shamrock gardens for a whistle-stop tour of European flora. nationaltrust.org.uk/mount-stewart
Wales
Aberglasney House and Gardens, Carmarthenshire
Visit these Elizabethan cloistered gardens near Swansea in April and May for the bluebells. The gardeners blend them with plants such as buttercups, beech and tulips to curate a manicured display of wildflowers. It’s even possible to spot a rare white bluebell. aberglasney.org
Coed y Wenallt, Cardiff
Forty-four hectares of ancient wooded bliss lie just beyond the M4. Cardiff’s best bluebell spot is awash with cerulean at this time of year. Tune your ears to the tap of the great spotted woodpeckers that call this urban forest home. woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/coed-y-wenallt/