Spring got off to a bit of a soggy, slow start this year, but now it seems to be in full bloom we're turning our mind to some pretty picture opportunities to ooo and ahhh over in the coming weeks. Yep, bluebells in London, we're talking about you. We've even thrown a few out-of-town options in for good measure 'cos we're nice like that. Don't delay though folks, bluebells only tend to bloom until the end of May, so skedaddle over and get your snaps, stat!
Important: The bluebell is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981). This means digging up the plant or bulb in the countryside is prohibited and landowners are prohibited from removing bluebells from their land to sell. In a nutshell, don't pick them and don't trample them! In fact, why not use these beautiful flowers as a good lesson for your little ones to help foster a love and respect for all things nature?
Hyde Park
Back in 2013, when Corona was still a beer, local students planted a whopping 200,000 bulbs including 40,000 native bluebells all around Hyde Park to kickstart a wildflower meadow. Nice one, kiddos!
Hyde Park, London W2 2UH
Hampstead Heath
You won't be feeling blue when you pitch up at Hampstead Heath to check out a heap of bluebells scattered across its 791 acres.
Hampstead Heath, London N6
Norsey Wood, Essex
A Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Norsey Wood in Billericay is well known for being a hotbed for wildlife, nature trails, woodland craft activities and, of course, bluebells!
Norsey Wood, Outwood Common Road, Billericay CM11 1HA
Osterley Park
While it might feel like you're stepping onto the set of a Bridgerton episode, sadly there is no Duke of Hastings to be found, but there are plenty of bluebells in this gorgeous Georgian country estate in west London.
Osterley Park, Jersey Rd, Isleworth TW7 4RB
Cliveden House, Buckinghamshire
The gardens at Cliveden blend into woodland that transforms into a swath of blue at this time of year, with panoramic views over the river Thames and Berkshire countryside thrown in for good measure. Don't forget to download your free trail walk before heading over!
Cliveden House, Cliveden Road, Taplow, Maidenhead SL6 0JF
Oxleas Wood
According to ecologists, the woodlands of Oxleas Wood over in the Royal Borough of Greenwich are some of the most important areas for wildlife in all of London, so with this accolade in mind, it comes as no surprise that this place is decked out in blue as far as the eye can see right now.
Oxleas Wood, Crown Woods Lane, London SE18 3JA
Highgate Wood
Back in the early 20th century, bluebells were but extinct here with fears that these blue gems were gone once and flor-al. Fast forward a century, and the area is teeming with blankets of blue.
Highgate Wood, Muswell Hill Road, N10
Winkworth Arboretum, Surrey
Head out to sunny Surrey to catch the carpet of bluebells currently covering the arboretum floor at Winkworth and prepare to take many, many, many photos.
Winkworth Arboretum, Hascombe Road, Godalming GU8 4AD
Wanstead Park
No blues are bad blues when it comes to looking for bluebells, but thankfully Wanstead Park’s woodland has thousands of the little beauts for you to feast your eyes and nostrils on.
Wanstead Park, London E11
Kew Gardens
The grounds of Queen Charlotte’s eighteenth-century thatched cottage is also home to a sea of azure bluebells that won't fail to impress: utterly blue-tiful in fact.
Kew Gardens, Richmond, TW9 3HL
Emmetts Garden, Kent
The woods at Emmetts Garden have even been designated a SSSI (site of special scientific interest) due to the English native bluebells that bloom here every year. One of the prettiest bluebell spots around, in our humble opinion, and well worth the drive out to the Kent countryside.
Emmetts Garden, Ide Hill, Sevenoaks TN14 6BA
Gutteridge Wood
Part of the London Wildlife Trust and brimming with bluebells and other wildflowers, this ancient woodland is ablaze with colour this spring so hop on over before they're all gone.
Gutteridge Wood, Western Avenue, Hayes, London, UB10 9EQ
Don't forget to #londonforkidz with your pics on social media so we can have a nose and share!
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