The Bluebell Woods

Update as at 30th April 2010. The bluebells are out and should look lovely for at least the next fortnight. If you're planning to visit, please wear sturdy shoes as the recent rain has made the woodland path slippery in places. Don't forget we are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

The meadow leads into the bluebell woods, which are at their best for bluebells during late April and early May.

Native English bluebell flower heads are one-sided with narrow flower stems, drooping at the tip with nodding, strongly scented flowers containing cream coloured anthers. The flowers are a soft mid-blue colour.The non-native, or 'Spanish' bluebell is much more upright and has flowers all round the thicker, stiffer stem. The two types can cross-hybridise and the more vigorous hybrid will eventually out-compete the slower growing native bluebell.

At one time huge areas of land were covered with ancient woods. When the forests were cleared for agriculture in the 17th and 18th centuries, a few pockets of land were left untouchced because they were a bit too steep, or too close to a stream. Today, thes pockets of untouched, ancient woodland are one of our most beautiful and precious natural habitats.

The wood is another place of calm, and a haven for wildlife, home to several nesting birds and a badger sett. We deliberately leave fallen trees and branches untouched, except to keep the path clear, to encourage as much wildlife as possible.