Springtime is upon us (though the rainy days might be concealing it a little), with the clocks firmly forward and bluebell season upon us. Recent years have seen bluebells blooming as early as late-March, but this year they’ve come about at a more normal mid-April time slot, and we shouldn’t need to tell you twice to go and check them out! (should you ever be impatient when it comes to springtime flowers, check out the cherry blossom in London!)
If you’re not treating yourself to a woodland walk among the flowers this spring, then you aren’t doing it right, my friend.
And, sure, the colder weather may be lingering around, but the sun may yet provoke the gorgeous bluebells into bloom. For those planning ahead, here are a few of the best spots to gaze at the carpets of bluebells in and around London. But, remember not to pick or walk on any of the lilac beauties. They are a protected species in the UK, after all.
🎵 I’m blue da ba dee da ba di 🎵
1. Wanstead Park
So you’re telling us there’s a vast, magical display of bluebells—looking that jaw-dropping—which can be reached easily by tube? Well, blue better start believing it. Wanstead Park’s gorgeous display can be found by heading to Redbridge in zone 4 – which is just 23 minutes away from Liverpool Street. Forget the after-work pint, head to a dazzling forest once you call it a day at your desk.
🚇 Nearest stations are Redbridge and Wanstead, not Wanstead Park.
2. Eltham Park North
Eltham Park North is a beautiful green space in Greenwich, which gives way to Shepherdsleas Wood. Here, if you go at the right time, you’ll find swathes of the beautiful blue drops across the woodland areas. Plus, with a lovely lake to rest by, the park is a perfect spot for a day out among nature.
🚇 Nearest station is Falconwood.
3. Epping Forest
When bluebell season is in full swing at Epping Forest, it’s an ever-popular spot for Londoners to feel-like-they’re-not-in-London-when-they-still-are. Right out at the far depths of the central line, Epping Forest is the perfect place for a wander among the trees, with the ground almost painted blue in much of the beloved forests’ space.
🚇 Nearest stations are Epping and Woodford.
4. Isabella Plantation, Richmond Park
Everyone knows that Richmond Park is the London Park for all things walking, cycling, wildlife spotting, and generally just taking in the rays of the city’s sun (on occasion).
But, not everybody knows that it also boasts a fabulous array of bluebells at the right time. Over in the Isabella Plantation, the colour of spring gets brushed across the woodland vista. They may be more famous for their dazzling azaleas, but don’t overlook the bluebells or you’ll miss out!
🚇 Nearest station is Richmond.
5. Oxleas Wood
A gorgeous spot to feast your eyes on the big blue army of plants. Conveniently, it’s just by the aforementioned Eltham Park North, so if you’re really in the mood for bluebells, you can combine the two for a formidable few hours of blue zen.
🚇 Nearest station is Falconwood
6. Osterley Park
Sat among Osterley Park’s historic estate are sections of winding bluebell trails which are bound to fascinate even the most casual woodland walkers. Scuttle into the Great Meadow to be bowled over by dazzling blue beams.
🚇 Nearest station is Osterley.
7. Gutteridge Wood
At the right time of year, Gutteridge Wood is home to the bells that will take your blues away and leave you in awe of their wistful beauty. Head along their trail and just try not to be taken over by their sheer enchantment. Nope. Impossible. Can’t do it.
🚇 Nearest station is Hillingdon Underground.
8. Beckenham Place Park
While in summer you might catch a festival or two here, when the bluebells come out at Beckenham Place Park at spring, you can be guaranteed a picture-perfect setting. Just look at that image. Who wouldn’t want to just collapse among in the grass and listen to the woodland sounds all day?
🚇 Nearest station is Beckenham Hill or Ravensbourne.
9. Highgate Wood
Highgate Wood is a go-to spot for many a Londoner to take their annual gaze-at-the-bluebells trip. And, who could blame them? There are fine masses of bluebells covering the ancient woodland that could even provide tranquillity during a furious cyclone.
🚇 Nearest station is Highgate.
10. Kew Gardens
Because what is a world-famous botanical garden without a stunning array of bluebells for visitors to gawk at? Kew Gardens boasts a fine display of the lovely blues, so get down there to take them in when the season is right. Plus, the trusty bells sit in an area that dates back to the eighteenth century.
🚇 Nearest station is Richmond.
11. Coldfall Woods
An ancient piece of woodland found in Muswell Hill, Coldfall Woods spreads over 15 hectares – so there’s plenty of searching-for-bluebells scope. And when the blooming season comes, they properly come out in full force; blanketing the area with their baby blues.
🚇 Nearest station is East Finchley.
12. Hampstead Heath
As you might have gathered, Hampstead Heath is one of the prime spots for Londoners to have a good ol’ sit, accompanied by best mates and exactly three cans each. It’s what many of us do best. But, if you venture into the woodland areas of the famous spot, you’ll also find a pretty damn fine display of bluebells. Is there anything HH can’t give us?
🚇 Nearest station is Gospel Oak.
13. Horsenden Hill
Talking of brilliant places with the initials HH, Horsenden Hill is covered in oak-filled woodlands, which is prime grounding for a spring walk among the bluebells. Once you’re done gawking at this article’s namesake, there’s a view over London that’s as good as any to stare out at. Plus, along the way you might just encounter the Gruffalo trail to cast you back to your childhood reading about the fantastical creature.
🚇 Nearest station is Perivale.
14. Grangewood Park
This extensive area of woodland sits in South Norwood and is ideal for a wander during the spring season to take in the sea of blue.
🚇 Nearest station is Thornton Heath.
15. Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park
You know springtime is in full flow when the clusters of bluebells start popping up in Tower Hamlet’s Cemetery Park. This nature reserve and historic cemetery park is a breeding ground for the blue mobs and it’s one of London’s finest spots to gallivant among them.
🚇 Nearest station is Bow Church DLR.
16. Old Park Wood Nature Reserve
Old Park Wood is a little way out of the city (albeit still technically in London!), but if you can make it, you’ll be blown away by the captivating sheathes of warming blue plants. Part of the National Trust, this nature reserve will have you feeling like you’re in the depths of a fairy tale the second you walk in and are grabbed by their enchanting glow.
📍 Middlesex, Harefield, Uxbridge UB9 6UX.
17. Pear Wood Nature Reserve
Another awe-inspiring nature reserve boasting a mean collection of bluebells, Pear Wood sits by Stanmore County Park. After a walk by the lake on a sunny day, who wouldn’t want some respite in the shade, coloured in by the multiple layers of blue?
🚇 Nearest station is Stanmore.
18. Emmetts Garden
Now whisper it… but these last spots are just outside London (sorry! You’ll forgive us if you do end up making the journey). Though this spot may technically be in Kent, there’s no doubt that it should be an essential location for a day trip at this time of year. As you meander through the historic Edwardian estate, you’ll be dumbstruck by the waves and waves and waves of blue, covering the land like an ocean; gifting you the unrivalled sight of Spring.
📍 Ide Hill, Sevenoaks TN14 6BA.
19. Penn Wood
Penn Street is a quaint, unassuming Buckinghamshire village area with a pair of pubs offering a mean Sunday Roast.
Venture across the square, into the Penn Wood and you’ll find the bluebell wonderland that awaits you through the Spring. If you’re venturing here from the city, you’ll likely need to drive. But, as short daytrips outside busy London go, there aren’t many better for bluebell hunting.
📍 Penn Street, Amersham.
20. Ashridge Forest
The bluebells at Ashridge Forest are poised to sweep across the ground below the trees like a vibrant carpet. This spot requires a trip just out of London by car, but if you can make it out there, it’s well worth it for the remarkable display of nature at this National Trust site.
📍 Moneybury Hill, Ringshall, Berkhamsted HP4 1LT.
Remember, some spots may have bloomed slightly before others, but these are the places to find them when they do appear in full force!