The Best of the Bluebells
‘When I grow up, I want to be a fairy,’ says our five-year-old Sissi as she balances along the trunk of fallen tree, in a field of bluebells.
The wind creates a ripple of radiant violet blue. The bluebells nod to one another, respectfully bowing to the unseen nature spirits.
‘Chiff Chaff, chiff chaff, chiff chaff.’ The beautiful olive brown birds with the stripe across their eyes sing joyfully announcing their arrival from the Mediterranean or West Africa.
It’s the best time of year to see the Chiff Chaff, as they dart around the tree canopy, singing loudly to establish a breeding territory. When the trees are in full leaf, they will rarely be seen in the open, choosing to hide in their green leafy world.
So quick, get outside. Enjoy the the bluebells and Chiff Chaffs now, while the sunlight is warming the forest floor, before the leaves cover the forest canopy once again.
HERE ARE SOME OF THE BEST PLACES TO SEE BLUEBELLS IN THE UK.
Hole Park Gardens, East Sussex
Hole Park, Benenden Road, Rolvenden, Kent, TN17 4JA
Blickling Estate, Norfolk
Blickling, Bickling, Norfolk NR11 6NF
Hardcastle Crags, West Yorkshire
Hollin Hall, Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire HX7 7AP
Nymans, West Sussex
Nymans Cottages, Staplefield Ln, Handcross RH17 6EB
Hatchlands Park, Surrey
East Wing Hatchlands, East Clandon, Guildford GU4 7RT
Hinton Ampner, Hampshire
Hinton Ampner, Alresford, Hampshire SO24 0LA
Sheffield Park and Garden, East Sussex
Sheffield Park, Uckfield TN22 3QX
Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Kent
Biddenden Rd, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 2AB
Dunham Massey, Cheshire
Rufford Old Hall, Lancashire
200 Liverpool Rd, Rufford, Ormskirk L40 1SG
Buckland Abbey, Devon
Buckland Abbey, Yelverton, Devon PL20 6EYGodolphin, Cornwall
Lanhydrock, Cornwall
Tollgate House, Treningle Hill, Bodmin PL30 5AD
Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire
Blyth Rd, Nottingham S80 3PA
Packwood House, Warwickshire
Packwood Ln, Lapworth, Solihull B94 6AT
Dinefwr Park and Castle, Carmarthenshire
B4300, Llandeilo SA19 6PF
Chirk Castle, Wrexham
Chirk Castle, Chirk LL14 5AF
Penrhyn, Gwynedd
Penrhyn Castle, Bangor LL57 4HT
Skomer Island, Wales
Downhill Demesne and Hezlett House, County Londonderry
Mussenden Rd, Castlerock, County Londonderry BT51 4RP
Basildon Park, in Berkshire
Lower Basildon, Reading, West Berkshire RG8 9NR
Follow my blog with Bloglovin[mc4wp_form]