woodland wildf lowers 6 places to see

hen it comes to woodland wildflowers, there’s one plant that hogs the headlines – and it’s easy to see why! Bluebells are undeniably beautiful, carpeting the forest floor in a swaying sea of violet-blue petals. They flower around April and can be an indication that you’re standing in an ancient woodland. But they aren’t the only wildflowers that grace our woodlands each spring. You could find the ground coated with wild garlic, scenting the air with that unmistakable aroma, or wood anemones with star-shaped flowers balanced atop long slender stalks. Combine these colourful carpets with the soundtrack of singing birds and you have an idyllic spring scene. Just a note of caution, spring woodland flowers are very sensitive to trampling so please stick to marked paths whenever visiting these precious sites.

Did you spot any wildflowers?

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See the spectacle for yourself

1 Roydon Woods Nature Reserve, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust

Bright carpets of bluebells light up the ancient woodland floor beneath the crisp green beech canopies at this enchanting New Forest nature reserve. These woods are perfect for wildlife enthusiasts too, with good opportunities for birdwatching especially.

Where: Near Brockenhurst, SO42 7UF

2 Pamber Forest Nature Reserve, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust

The forest floor at this ancient woodland reserve in the north of Hampshire is happily flushed with wildflowers in spring, including wood anemone, wild daffodils, and primroses. A cacophony of birdsong also erupts in the forest at this time of year.

Where: Pamber Heath, RG26 3EQ

3 Flexford Nature Reserve, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust

Dazzling patches of wood anemone, Solomon’s seal, wood sorrel, celandine, marsh marigold and bluebells can be found dotted through the woodland at this urban reserve. Swathes of ramsons (or wild garlic) also line the woodland paths in spring.

Where: Chandler’s Ford, SO53 1SZ

4 Eaglehead & Bloodstone Copses Nature Reserve, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust

Fabulous displays of spring flora lie in wait at this ancient woodland reserve on the Isle of Wight. All the usual suspects occur here like bluebells, primroses, and ramsons, as well as more unusual specimens like moschatel and toothwort.

Where: Near Brading, PO36 0NT

5 Shadwell Wood, Essex Wildlife Trust

The oxlip is a precious gem in a treasure trove of wildflowers gracing the floor of this ancient woodland in north-west Essex. Oxlips are only found in a few pockets of woodland in the UK, where their beautiful clusters of yellow flowers can be seen popping up in April.

Where: Saffron Waldon, CB10 2NB

6 Lower Woods, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust

One of the largest ancient woodlands in the south-west, rich in wildflowers like bluebells, wild garlic, and wood anemones. As well as early purple and greater butterfly orchids, keep an eye out for the understated flowers of herb-Paris.

Where: Near Wickwar, GL9 1BX