The beauty of bluebells

There is something startlingly beautiful about bluebells en masse. These lovely plants most often thrive in the gorgeous dappled shade of woodlands full of birdsong and make a visit particularly uplifting. Here are a few gardens and woodlands with bluebells that you might like to explore this spring with the National Garden Scheme.

Listed alphabetically by county:

Antony Woodland Garden & Woodland Walk, Cornwall – opens Friday 4 April
Antony Woodland Garden is one of the most beautiful gardens in SE Cornwall. A haven of serenity and peace, the perfect place for a pleasant walk, a family picnic, and to explore and enjoy a magnificent variety of plants. As an “International Camellia Garden of Excellence” it holds the National Collection of Camellia japonica.
For details click here

Chevithorne Barton, Devon – opens  Sunday 27 April (25 May and 26 October)
Walled garden, summer borders and Robinsonian inspired woodland of rare trees and shrubs. In spring the garden features a large collection of magnolias, camellias, and rhododendrons with grass paths meandering through a sea of bluebells, and grass meadows. Home to National Collection of Quercus (Oaks).
For more details click here

Heathercombe, Devon – opens Sunday 4, Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 May (and other dates in the May and June)
Enjoy our daffodils, widespread bluebells, over 100 varieties of colourful rhododendrons, azaleas and many unusual specimen trees and shrubs, wildflower meadow and cottage garden. Take a leisurely stroll beside streams and ponds and through woodland, ‘parkland’, gardens and orchard, with many benches and summerhouses where you can sit and enjoy the tranquility of Heathercombe’s natural setting.
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Plas Cadnant Hidden Gardens, Anglesey – opens Wednesday 30 April
Early C19 picturesque garden undergoing restoration since 1996. Valley gardens with waterfalls, large ornamental walled garden, woodland and early pit house. Also Alpheus water feature and Ceunant (Ravine) which gives visitors a more interesting walk featuring unusual moisture loving alpines. Recently voted one of the nation’s favourite gardens.
For details click here

Brick Kiln Cottage, Hampshire – opens Saturday 10 May
A bluebell woodland garden. The 2 acre garden with a perimeter woodland path inc treehouse, pebble garden, billabong, ferny hollow, bug palace, waterpool, shepherd’s hut and a traditional cottage garden filled with herbs.
For details click here

Squerryes Court, Kent – opens Friday 16 May
15 acres of garden, lake and woodland surrounding beautiful C17 manor house (not open). Lovely throughout the seasons from the spring bulbs to later-flowering borders. Cenotaph commemorating General Wolfe. C18 dovecote. Lawns, yew hedges, ancient trees, parterres, azaleas and roses.
For details click here

Evenley Wood Garden, Northants – opens Saturday 10 May
Set among the beautiful Northamptonshire countryside, our unique 60 acre private woodland garden has a large and notable collection of plants, trees, and shrubs. As May ushers in warmer weather, around 100 magnolias put on a magnificent display, complemented by azaleas and rhododendrons. The garden fills with delightful sights and scents. In previous yrs, we have let some of our areas grow wilder, leaving the grass longer and allowing wild flowers to bloom, which helps support our insect and bird population. Enjoy nature unfolding by taking a leisurely stroll through the garden, relaxing on one of our many benches, or simply soaking up the peaceful atmosphere.
For details click here

Felley Priory, Nottinghamshire – opens Sunday 20 April
Garden for all seasons with yew hedges and topiary, snowdrops, hellebores, herbaceous borders and rose garden. There are pergolas, a white garden, small arboretum and borders filled with unusual trees, shrubs, plants and bulbs. The grass edged pond is planted with primulas, bamboo, iris, roses and eucomis. Bluebell woodland walk. Orchard with extremely rare daffodils.
For details click here

Llwyn Madoc, Powys – opens Sunday 25 May
Terraced garden in a glorious wooded valley, overlooking a stunning lake. Yew hedges and a rose garden with pergola. The gardens slope down away from the house and are at their best when the rhododendrons and azaleas are out.
For details click here

Blakenham Woodland Garden, Suffolk – opens Sunday 13 April
Beautiful six acre woodland garden with variety of rare trees and shrubs, Chinese rocks and a landscape spiral form. Lovely in spring with snowdrops, daffodils and camellias followed by magnolias and bluebells.
For details click here

The Garth Pleasure Grounds, Surrey – opens Sunday 4 and 11 May
Mature 9 acre Pleasure Grounds created by Walter Godfrey in 1919, present an idyllic setting surrounding the former parish workhouse refurbished in Edwardian style. The formal gardens, enchanting nuttery, a spinney with many mature trees and a pond attract wildlife. Wonderful bluebells in spring. The woodland gardens and beautiful borders are full of colour and fragrance for year-round pleasure.
For details click here

Hatchlands Park in Surrey – opens Sunday 27 April (lead image)
Garden and park designed by Repton in 1800. Follow one of the park walks to the stunning bluebell wood in spring (2½km round walk over rough and sometimes muddy ground).
For details click here

Low Hall, North Yorkshire – opens Sunday 4 May
Romantic walled garden set on differing levels designed to complement historic C17 family home (not open). Spring bulbs, rhododendrons and azaleas round tranquil water garden.
For details click here

More about bluebells – did you know

Bluebells are native to western Europe with the UK being a species stronghold. They’re associated with ancient woodland and are often used in combination with other species as a clue that a wood is ancient. They reach their greatest densities in the UK’s woods where many thousands of bulbs can exist in one woodland, creating the incredible blue carpets we fondly associate with spring. They also grow along hedgerows and in fields.