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Jan Harris
Deputy Group Editor
2:33 AM 28th April 2020
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Bluebells Flower In The Spring

 
Walking in a Bluebell wood is a delight and a highlight of any springtime walk in the countryside.

Bluebells flower between mid-April and late May, but the best time to see bluebells in the North of England is generally late April to May and they make a colourful backdrop to a springtime walk.

An enchanting carpet of native bluebells is a great indicator of ancient woodland, which is one of our rarest and most irreplaceable habitats, covering just 2% of the country's landmass.

Unfortunately because of the coronavirus pandemic most of the places where we would normally be able to see bluebells are either closed or are too far for us to travel because of us having to #StayHomeStaySafe.

Visit the various locations online to see a virtual tour of the bluebells if the sites are closed because of coronavirus. We will have to come back again next year as bluebells are not affected by all the restrictions and will flower for us next year.

Some places to see bluebells in the North:

Aughton Woods, Lancashire
https://www.lancswt.org.uk/nature-reserves/aughton-woods

Dunham Massey, Cheshire
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunham-massey

Hardcastle Crags, West Yorkshire
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hardcastle-crags

Hackfall, nr Harrogate, North Yorkshire
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/wood-information/hackfall/

Nidd Gorge, nr Harrogate, North Yorkshire
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/wood/4650/nidd-gorge/

Nostell Priory, West Yorkshire
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nostell

Roseberry Topping, North Yorkshire
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/roseberry-topping

Rufford Old Hall, Lancashire
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/rufford-old-hall

Skipton Castle Woods, North Yorkshire
https://skipton.woodlandtrust.org.uk/

Speke Hall, Merseyside
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/speke-hall-garden-and-estate

Waterhead, Ambleside
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ambleside

More about bluebells:

Bluebells can be found, usually, between mid-April and late May, when the flowers can make the most of light reaching the forest floor before the full woodland canopy casts its shade.

They can provide a valuable, early source of nectar for bees, hoverflies, butterflies and other insects.

Occasionally you will spot white bluebells in amongst the violet - this is caused by a genetic mutation.

Half of the world's population of bluebells are here in the UK.

Bluebells are an ancient woodland indicator - meaning that they commonly appear in areas that have been wooded since 1600AD, and reply upon the unique conditions this habitat can provide.

Trampling is not the only threat that bluebells face: Since 1998 it has been illegal for anyone to pick native bluebells from the wild for sale.

Remember, bluebells are a protected species in the UK and therefore you shouldn't dig them up or pick them.

Did you know?

Bluebells are delicate and easily damaged, especially if they’re trodden on. Damage can prevent the leaves from photosynthesizing, causing the plant to die back.

Bluebells take between five and seven years to get established, so minor damage can have long-lasting impact. Help to look after the bluebells by watching where you tread, and sticking to marked pathways.

Bees love bluebells:

Bees, butterflies and hoverflies are all attracted to bluebells, probably because of the striking blue and purple colours which stand out from the woodland greenery making them easy to spot by these pollinators.

The National Trust is one of the organisations in the UK for bluebell conservation. A quarter of the Trust's woodland is ancient or semi-natural; the ideal habitats for bluebells. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/

The Woodland Trust woods are a pleasure to visit all year round but the jewel in the crown has got to be spring when bluebells cover the woodland floor.
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/