4. Arger Fen & Spouse's Vale bluebell walk
Leavenheath, Essex/Suffolk border
Arger Fen & Spouse's Vale bluebell walk
Distance: 1 mile / Time: 30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Parking: Arger Fen & Spouse's Vale Car Park, CO8 5BN
Arger Fen and Spouse's Vale is a fascinating mosaic of ancient woodland alongside fen meadow and regenerating woodland. A brilliant family-friendly and dog-friendly nature reserve. It’s best to visit in spring when you will be greeted with a fabulous display of bluebells accompanied by the magical song of woodland birds. Listen out for black cap, whitethroat and willow warbler. There are four designated trails to explore the reserve via, as well as public footpaths linking to the surrounding countryside. This reserve is also one of only a few ancient woodlands in Suffolk with wild cherry.
Arger Fen and Spouse's Vale walk
Please contact Suffolk Wildlife Trust on 01473 890089 for wheelchair and mobility buggy access to the reserve. Parking can be found in the Wildlife Trust car park but is limited. If the car park is full, you can park in the nearby village of Leavenhealth and use a public footpath to the reserve. Please do not park on the road verges.
Recommended by OS GetOutside Champion Charlotte Ditchburn. Follow Charlotte on Instagram.
5. Rushall Farm bluebell loop
Bradfield, West Berkshire
Rushall Farm bluebell loop
Distance: 4.5 miles / Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Parking: Laybys nearby
or at
the bottom of
the lane where
walk starts.
I have such fond memories of being shown the bluebells here when I was a child! This bluebell walk takes you through Rushall Farm's woods, which are a vibrant shade of lilac during bluebell season. Along with bluebells, you'll also see the cutest lambs playing in the fields surrounding the woods. After wandering through Rushall Farm, the route takes you to the River Pang. If it's warm you can even wade into the shallow area beside the bridge to refresh. Just make sure any young children are in sight if the water is flowing faster.
Rushall Farm bluebell walk
Walk along the river until you meet Bradfield College, which has beautiful buildings and grounds. Then, walk back to your car through a field which is usually home to families of sheep.
If you'd like to make this route 5km instead, simply walking along Back Lane after coming out of Rushall Farm. It's a quiet country road with plenty of space to keep out of the way of cars.
Recommended by Bethany from the OS Team.
Skirrid spring walk
6. Black Mountains, Wales
Skirrid spring walk
Distance: 3.8 miles / Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Parking: National Trust Car Park, NP7 8AP
This is my favourite spring walk. It starts with a beautiful walk through bluebell covered woodland, then up onto the ridge of the Skirrid to take in the views across the Black Mountains, Abergavenny and across to the Central Beacons. It has got a few steeper sections and can be boggy underfoot in places. Older children will love it. Unfortunately it isn’t suitable for those with limited mobility. You follow a clear track from the car park into woodland and then up the hill. It is steep but there are benches and places to pause, get your breath and listen to the birdsong.
Skirrid spring walk
Go through the gate at the top and turn left. That path will then take you through woodland and the bluebell glades. It’s a carpet of bluebells and the smell on a warm day is gorgeous. Then follow the path round to the north of the Skirrid and then pick up a clear path up to the ridgeline. You can then turn north up to the trig point, before following the ridge enjoying the amazing views and then returning through the gate down to the car park. This is a walk I make sure I do every spring.
Recommended by OS GetOutside Champion Phillipa Cherryson. Follow Phillipa on Instagram.