Bluebells are usually in flower from late April to early May, and are a welcome sign that spring is well under way and summer isn’t far off.
Here’s some enchanting bluebell walks in Oxfordshire.
Badbury Clump, near Faringdon
The National Trust say every year, more and more people visit Badbury to enjoy the carpet of bluebells which can be found among the beech trees in the area known as Badbury Clump – once an Iron Age hill fort. Pictured (below) by Gwyne Diment.
Shotover Country Park, Oxford
On the southern slopes of Shotover Hill there are spectacular views from the top across south Oxfordshire. There's a wide variety of flora and fauna in the park with bluebells, orchids, woodpeckers, foxes and Roe deer.
Woodland Trust’s Stoke Wood, Bicester
These ancient woods have nice footpaths to follow around the site. Highlights in the woods include an impressive avenue of Corsican pines and flowers including orchids and bluebells.
Warburg Nature Reserve, near Henley
It has some lovely woodland trails. It's a splendid place for bluebells and wood anemones in the spring.
Foxholes Nature Reserve, Bruern
In May, Foxholes is awash with bluebells, and by summer, the foxgloves are in their full glory.
Bagley Wood, Kennington
The Ramblers suggest a leisurely five mile circular walk that will take in the bluebells with the option of a pub lunch at The Tandem afterwards. See online.
Greys Court, Henley
According to the National Trust, the bluebells at Greys Court start showing their heads from mid-April, and they cover the estate in a beautiful carpet of blue. Throughout the estate and in the bluebell woods.
Nuffield Place, Henley
The bluebells can be found from mid-April to May on the woodland walk just behind the house, which is currently closed. The National Trust said the woodland walk can be uneven at times, but is suitable for even the littlest of legs, and even four-legged friends on leads are welcome.
Harcourt Arboretum, Nuneham Courtenay
Part of Oxford University’s Botanic Garden, the stunning bluebell woods are easy to reach from the car park, and the walk is flat, wide and suitable for wheelchairs.
Bluebells can take years to recover after footfall damage. If a bluebell’s leaves are crushed, they die back from lack of food as the leaves cannot photosynthesise – so don’t tread on them.
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