It is almost my favourite time of the year for wandering in woods and forests – time for bluebells! The National Trust have a list of all the best places – and my personal favourite is Hatchlands Park near Guildford – their bluebell wood is amazing! Read on for some more suggestions.

Bluebells have something magical about them. With their sudden, mystical takeover of ancient woodlands the flowers have long been linked to the fairy-world.

Get the family together and discover the delights of these delicate flowers that transform Britain’s wonderful woodlands. The blooming date for bluebells varies depending on the weather, but you can usually expect to see them in April and May.

Here’s a selection of the top National Trust places and events where you can enjoy bluebells in all their glory:

Buckland Abbey, Garden and Estate, Devon

The woodland armada, 2 May – 6 June, 10.30am – 5.30pm

When you visit Buckland, you follow over 700 years of footsteps; from the Cistercians who built the Abbey and farmed the estate, to seafarers Grenville and Drake who changed the shape of the house and the fate of the country. This spring, discover over 100 ships decorated by visitors as they set sail across the bluebell sea in The Great North Wood.

Price: Free event (normal admission fee applies)

Spring walks, 7, 10, 14 May, 1pm – 2.30pm

Discover the emerging bluebell displays, ransoms and many other wild flowers in the Great North Wood. Join the estate ranger for a two mile walk around the estate to see some wonderful spring delights.

Price: Free event (normal admission fee applies)
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/buckland-abbey/

Basildon Park, Berkshire

Basildon Park, a Georgian mansion surrounded by parkland, was lovingly rescued by Lord and Lady Iliffe in the mid-1950s. Expansive countryside surrounds Basildon Park with great views towards the Thames and the Chilterns. Enjoy a walk in the 400 acres of parkland and woodland, take in the breath-taking views and at this time of year enjoy the changing colours of the landscape.

Beautiful bluebells, 1 April – 31 May, 10am – 4pm

Keep an eye on the Bluebell Watch on the Basildon Park website where you’ll be able to find out when they’re at their blooming best.

Price: Free event (normal admission fee applies)
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/basildon-park/

Hinton Ampner, Hampshire

Visitors can explore acres of recently opened ancient woodland surrounding this quintessentially English landscape. Stroll slowly through glorious beech avenues and soak up the bluebell phenomenon that appears here. Hinton welcomes picnickers in its woods, and there are woodland ‘sofas’ carved out of fallen tree trunks where you can sit and admire the blue view.

Spring woodland walk, 2 & 13 May, 1pm – 3pm

This spring, enjoy a guided woodland walk taking in the bluebells and the beautiful woodland at Hinton Ampner. Take a stroll in the carpets of Bluebells lining the woods, followed by scrumptious afternoon tea in the tea room.

Price: £10 (booking essential)

For more information, please call 01962 77130
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hinton-ampner

Blickling Estate, Norfolk

Visit Blickling in April through to May and discover one of the best places to see bluebells in the country. Follow the winding paths through the Great Wood and pass through swathes of the dainty blue flowers.Late April to early May is usually the best time at Blickling to see bluebells as they carpet the woodland floor.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/blickling-estate

Runnymede, Berkshire

Seen by many as the birthplace of modern democracy, this picturesque open landscape beside the Thames was witness to King John’s historic sealing of the Magna Carta 800 years ago on 15 June 1215. This historic landscape of picturesque meadows and rolling hills is perfect for a relaxing walk. Take in stunning views, soak up some history and see if you can spot the Bluebells in the woodlands.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/runnymede/

Downhill Demesne and Hezlett House, County Londonderry

Visit this stunning landscape and beautiful gardens where you’ll find magnificent clifftop walks, affording rugged headland views across the awe-inspiring North Coast. The striking eighteenth-century mansion at Downhill now lies in ruin, but the offering of beautiful gardens and stunning coastal walks makes this is a fantastic place for all the family to visit – especially during bluebell season.

Behind the scenes: bluebell walks, 2 – 3 May, 12pm – 4pm

Come along for an afternoon stroll around the Bishop’s Gate gardens and glen to see the bluebells in full bloom. Join the estate ranger who will highlight the latest developments around the wider demesne and show off the hidden gems in the gardens.

Price: Free event (normal admission fee applies, booking essential)
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/downhill-demesne-and-hezlett-house/

Nymans, West Sussex

Rumoured to bloom on St George’s Day (23 April), there are carpets of delicately scented bluebells throughout the ancient woodland surrounding Nymans. Described as a garden lovers’ home for all seasons, you can enjoy an extensive yet intimate garden set around a romantic house and ruins this spring. Inspired by the setting and the soil, the Messel family created one of the country’s great gardens in the late nineteenth-century. The garden and nearby woods are perfect for walking, picnicking and spotting bluebells.

Art Workshop with John Thompson: bluebell woods, 28 – 30 May, 10.30am – 3.30pm

Local artist and tutor John Thompson returns with more of his popular painting workshops. John takes inspiration from the seasonal changes on the landscape and gardens of Nymans and this month’s theme is bluebell woods. Visit for a full day of relaxed and empowering art making in the Potting shed. Learn easy techniques working with acrylic paints on board (be prepared to get messy), making various marks and building textures. All painting materials provided.

Price: £60 (including materials and refreshments, booking essential)
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nymans/

Lanhydrock, Cornwall

Lanhydrock is the perfect country house and estate, with the feel of a family home. The estate is well worth exploring, with ancient woodlands and tranquil riverside paths. You can take the bikes out on the off-road cycle trails, with special routes for families and novice riders. This fascinating country estate has gorgeous gardens, including a brilliant collection of spring-flowering magnolias and woodland areas blooming with waves of daffodils and bluebells.

Bluebell tour, 2 May, 10am – 1pm

Join the Head Ranger for a stroll through the stunning bluebell woods, followed by lunch in the restaurant at 12pm.

Price: £15 (includes lunch, booking essential)
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lanhydrock/

Osterley Park and House, Middlesex

A short hop from central London by tube but a world apart lies Osterely. Surrounded by gardens, park and farmland, Osterley is one of the last surviving country estates in London. Take a seat in the deckchairs on the temple lawn and watch the world go by, take the woodland walk and uncover the forgotten boathouse or wander back through the ancient meadow, bursting with wildflowers and butterflies.

Bluebell walk, 30 April, 6 May, 2pm – 3.30pm

The bluebells at Osterley Park are true wildflowers, on display in the ancient woodland. They have a delicate scent, intense blue colour and flowers that droop down like a bell along one side of the stem. Join a guided tour of the gardens with the ranger as you take in the carpet of colour; learn about the spring flower and its wider role in the management of the estate.

Price: Adult £6, Child £3 (normal admission fee applies, booking essential)
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/osterley-park/

Godolphin, Cornwall

Discover Godolphin, rich in archaeology and wildlife and travel back in time as you wander around the sixteenth-century garden, one of the most important historic gardens in Europe. Get lost in the tranquil and mysterious woodland, where the years of mining have left an unnatural, undulating landscape. Go for a stroll along the river and don’t forget to stop for a refreshing cup of tea and slice of home-made cake in the tea-room.

Save our native bluebell, 10 May, 11am – 12.30pm

Join an informative walk and talk with Godolphin’s gardener on the current threats to our native bluebell from the Spanish varieties, and walk through the sea of blue in Godolphin’s far orchard.

Price: Free event (normal admission fee applies)
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/godolphin/

Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Kent

Wander through Sissinghurst Castle Garden for inspiring ideas or simply soak up spring and enjoy the rich, warm colours of the Cottage Garden. Also known as the Spring Garden, the Lime Walk is one area where former owner Harold Nicolson controlled the design and planting. Long beds of tulips, fritillaries and hyacinths are marked out by an avenue of pleached limes, scattered by generous terracotta pots, every inch bursting with colour during spring.

Bluebell and wildflower walks, 26 April & 1 – 2 May, 1pm – 2.30pm

Come and see the woodland at Sissinghurst at this beautiful time of year on a guided walk with the ranger team. Afterwards finish the walk off with a cream tea in the restaurant.

Price: £12.50 (normal admission fee applies, booking essential)
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sissinghurst-castle-garden/

Dinefwr Park and Castle, Carmarthenshire

Dinefwr Park and Castle is an iconic place in the history of Wales and is the perfect place to take a relaxing stroll through some of Carmarthenshire’s most beautiful areas of countryside. It’s the only designated parkland National Nature Reserve in the whole of Wales, where you can discover ancient trees, rare lichen and fungi and some of the best examples of British wildlife you’re likely to see.

Bluebell display in Castle Woods, 1 – 31 May, 10am – 6pm

Don’t miss the spectacular Bluebell display at Dinefwr – a real treat for the senses. It’s difficult to predict exactly when the Bluebells will in full bloom but we know for sure it will be in May and the best place to see the biggest display is in Castle Woods.

Price: Free event (normal admission fee applies)
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dinefwr/

Sheffield Park and Garden, East Sussex

Sheffield Park and Garden is a horticultural work of art formed through centuries of landscape design, with influences of ‘Capability’ Brown and Humphry Repton. Four lakes form the heart of the garden, with paths circulating through the glades and wooded areas surrounding them. Running across the bottom of the estate is the River Ouse and flood meadow. During the spring and summer months the meadow is covered in wild flowers, butterflies, damselflies and dragonflies.

Bluebell walk, 29 April, 11am – 1pm, 6 May, 2pm – 4pm

Join a guided walk through the estate to see carpets of bluebells in the garden and woodland.

Price: Adult £5, Child £2.50 (normal admission fee applies, booking essential)
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sheffield-park-and-garden/

Strangford Lough, County Down

Strangford Lough is a unique and wonderful place of immense international importance for nature conservation. It is the largest sea lough in the British Isles, covering an area from Angus Rock at its mouth on the Irish Sea, to the vast sand-flats. It’s one of only three designated Marine Nature Reserves in the United Kingdom. Nugent’s Wood, at Portaferry, is one of the last refuges for the native red squirrel and is the perfect place for discovering bluebells.

Bluebell walk in Nugent’s Wood, Portaferry, 2 May, 10am – 12pm

Learn more about local history, wildlife and work that Rangers do on the estate and around the interesting woodland in Strangford Lough.

Price: Free event
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/strangford-lough/

Dunham Massey, Cheshire

At Dunham Massey stroll down camellia walk to see over 10,000 plants in the cyclamen grove, the bluebell meadow and yellow meadow. Take a walk and enjoy a beautiful display of the protected English Bluebell, Hyacinthoides non-scripta on the estate. You can find the largest collection of flowers under the Oaks and Witch hazels next to the Bog Garden.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunham-massey/

Hardcastle Crags, West Yorkshire

Bluebells are the undisputed spring highlight at Hardcastle Crags where they carpet the woodland. At their peak, usually in May they form an almost unearthly blue haze through the woodlands and fill air with their sweet perfume. This wooded landscape is often known as ‘Little Switzerland’ because of the valley sides, pathways and river and in spring the woodland is awash with bluebells.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hardcastle-crags/

Hatchlands Park, Surrey
Situated on the edge of the beautiful Surrey Hills and surrounded by charming villages, this peaceful location is just 45 minutes from central London. Hatchlands Park is one of the largest country estates in the county, including ancient woodland and open parkland, with views of the historic house and Surrey countryside. Wix’s Wood is home to carpets of bluebells which will appear in late April and early May. For latest updates on when the bluebells are out visit
www.facebook.com/HatchlandsParkNt

Rufford Old Hall, Lancashire

Rufford Old Hall is set within 14 acres of glorious gardens and woodland, laid out in the style found during the late Victorian and early Edwardian periods. Enjoy a walk among the small woodland awash with a variety of native trees as well as a carpet of bluebells and crocuses in springtime. The best time to see them is in late April and early May in Beech Walk and the North Woods – see if you can spot the honey and bumblebees visiting the bluebells as well.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/rufford-old-hall/