Not long after Easter, towards the end of April, the bluebells start to appear in woodland across the UK. Forests are transformed with an enchanting carpet of vibrant purple flowers. It is magical to go for a bluebell walk in the forest at this time. Bluebells are an indicator of ancient woodland with many bluebell woods dating back to at least 1600. Bluebells are often associated with fairy folklore and are sometimes called ‘fairy thimbles’. Young children can enjoy imagining calling fairies by pretending to ring the bluebells (without touching them of course!).
Bluebells can be notoriously harsh to photograph in due to the bold colours. Here are some top tips from V Bowden Photography for what to wear during your spring photoshoot
Photo Credit: V Bowden Photography
Where to go for a Bluebell Walk in Buckinghamshire
Here is the Red Kite Days guide to best places to go for a bluebell walk in Buckinghamshire. If you’re got a favourite spot not on the list or a bluebell woods picture you’d like to share, please tell us about it on our Facebook page or by tagging us on Twitter @redkitedays.
Penn Woods– the first of my hidden gems, vast amounts of bluebells and great pubs nearby.
Dockey Woods– probably the most well known place for finding bluebells. Part of the Ashridge estate, chargeable entrance and will get very busy. There are natural barriers restricting access to the bluebells and smaller paths in order to protect them so your camera skills will need to be more creative from behind the stick barriers. Go early or late to catch beautiful light and avoid the crowds.
Wendover Woods– lots of bluebells to be seen and you can also enjoy the play trail or cycle trails. the new cafe and car park was finished last year but means it now gets very busy and some days the main gates even get closed before midday. If you just want a bluebell opportunity there are bluebells surrounding the woods as you drive up Aston Hill. This is a walking route only with no parking on the roads around Wendover Woods.
Hervines Park – this park in Amersham is far less likely to be busy over the coming weeks but offers a lovely walk in the woods with large open space and is close by to coffee shops for a pit stop afterwards.
Coombe Hill – head up to Coombe Hill and front the car park enter the woods to Lower Scrubs. Another hidden gem with lots of fallen trees and stumps which are great for sitting on for photos.
Westwood Park – enjoy a walk in the woods surrounding Chalfont and Chenies with wonderful views as you head down towards either Chenies or Latimer. For another hidden gem go to Sarratt where footpaths will lead you to a hidden wood with perfect photo spots with small paths and fallen trees.
Watlington Hill – enjoy a more challenging walk if you have older kids
and here’s a few more that have been recently recommended by Mums to Red Kite Days
- College Wood (Nash near Buckingham)
- Coton Manor (Northamptonshire)
Check out the Red Kite Days guide to Top 10 bluebell walks in Oxfordshire here or head over to Berkshire to see the wonderful bluebells there.
Bluebell Fun Facts
Did you know that in the Bronze Age, bluebell sap was used to attach feathers to arrows and has also been used to bind pages in the spines of books? The bluebell is a symbol of constancy and may be the origin of the tradition that a bride should wear ‘something blue’ on her wedding day.
