Roll out the blue carpet
Above: Main picture: A carpet of bluebells at Ashridge Forest in dappled spring sunlight.
Above: Beautiful Bluebells
Above: .
Why not celebrate the arrival of Britain’s best-loved bloom with a woodland walk? Gavin Hageman is on the trail of the best bluebell woods...
One of the most spectacular sights of spring is a bluebell woodland with every inch of ground, as far as the eye can see, carpeted with violet-blue. Little wonder that the bluebell was voted Britain’s favourite flower in 2002.
Here, in our area, we’re lucky enough to have some of the most prolific bluebell woods. The humid valleys in the Chilterns are perfect for the bluebell.
So, why not don a pair of walking boots and discover the woodland delights for yourself. Here are our favourites:
Moor Copse Nature Reserve
Location: OS Sheet 175; SU 633 738
Five miles west of Reading centre. On the A340, ¼ mile south of Tidmarsh; take slip road just north of the M4 bridge. This display is sure to take your breath away. Here the blue carpet, decorated with dappled sunshine, stretches out amongst the hazel trees whilst mature oak and ash tower above.
From the car park, follow the way-marked ‘Wildlife Walk’ and you can enjoy the gentle bubbling of the meandering River Pang. The first of the season’s dragonflies and damselflies hunt along the flowing water whilst high above the birds belt out a passionate chorus.
Bowdown Woods Nature Reserve Location: OS Sheet 174; SU 501 656 (Bowdown). 2½ miles south-east of Newbury.
On an unclassified road (Bury’s Bank Road) between Greenham and Thatcham; tracks north start one mile east of Greenham village. Three surfaced car parks.
Here there are excellent displays of bluebells at the western end. This woodland is part of a spectacular mosaic of wild places that stretches from Thatcham Reed Beds in the north down to Greenham Common.
From the car park, the way-marked ‘Wildlife Walk’ leads you through the changes in the character of the woodland, passing a hillside incised by streams. Bluebells carpet the ground among the oak and birch trees in the dry areas, whilst the wet hollows are dominated by alder trees.
Warburg Nature ReserveLocation: Four miles north-west of Henley-on-Thames. On the B480 just north of Middle Assendon; take second left, 50m after The Rainbow pub; follow twisty lane along valley floor for 2¼ miles.
The Chiltern Hills are famous for bluebell woods. These chalk hills are often cloaked with beechwood. The beech tree, with its very shallow roots, can survive on the thin soils over solid white chalk. Here the dense canopy of beech encourages the moist, humid conditions favoured by the bluebells. Nestled in the tranquil Bix Valley in the Chilterns, BBOWT’s Warburg Nature Reserve is also a must-see for the annual bluebell extravaganza in the Chilterns.
Ancient beech coppice and flower-studded chalk grassland make this a rich and wonderful experience throughout the year, but wander through the trees and enjoy the blue carpet in May. In addition to the way-marked ‘Wildlife Walk’, there is a visitor centre, picnic area and toilet facilities at the reserve and the resident warden is always available to help point you in the right direction.
Some other great places to see bluebells include:
The Ashridge Estate, near Berkhamsted.
Run by the National Trust – see
www.nationaltrust.org.uk for details and events.
Cowleaze Wood, near Stokenchurch.
Run by the Forestry Commission – see www.forestrycommission.gov.uk details and events.
Basildon Park, near Reading.
Run by the National Trust – see
www.nationaltrust.org.uk for details and events.
What do you want to do next