Wiltshire


<p>Did you know, the UK is home to nearly half the world&#8217;s bluebells? Wiltshire certainly has more than its fair share &#8211; we bring you 20 of our favourite spots to enjoy them this spring&#8230; </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bowood-woodland-gardens-bowood"><a href="https://www.bowood.org/bowood-house-gardens/gardens-grounds/woodland-gardens-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bowood Woodland Gardens</a>, Bowood </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/05/Bowood-gardens-bluebells.jpg" alt="Bowood gardens bluebells Wiltshire" class="wp-image-31001" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/05/Bowood-gardens-bluebells.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/05/Bowood-gardens-bluebells-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/05/Bowood-gardens-bluebells-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/05/Bowood-gardens-bluebells-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/05/Bowood-gardens-bluebells-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>It&#8217;s always a sure sign of spring when Bowood’s Woodland Gardens open up to the public (12 April &#8211; 2 June). This year you&#8217;ll find spectacular displays of azaleas, magnolias and of course bluebells. New for 2024 &#8211; you can also guzzle coffee and cake, courtesy of The Nosh Box. Adult tickets cost £9.50 and kids under 12 go free, plus four-legged friends are welcome too. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hankerton-copse-cloatley-meadows"><a href="https://www.wiltshirewildlife.org/cloatley" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hankerton Copse</a>, Cloatley Meadows</h2>



<p>Come mid April, this nature reserve near Malmesbury is brimming with florals. The reserve is made up of several meadows, but if you&#8217;re after bluebells head to Hankerton Copse. In the summer months you&#8217;ll find orchids in the reserve too, as well as butterflies and dragonflies near the ponds. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-grovely-wood-near-wilton"><a href="https://www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/dbimgs/Salisbury_Walking_Map_Mar15.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Grovely Wood</a>, near Wilton </h2>



<p>Poised on a chalk ridge above the River Wylye, this ancient woodland is one of the biggest in Wiltshire. It also comes up trumps in the bluebell department, so it&#8217;s well worth a spring stomp. Look out for three vast beech trees while you&#8217;re there &#8211; according to folklore, these mark the spots where four women were buried in 1737, after they were killed for &#8216;witchcraft.&#8217; There are several ways to explore Grovely, from a short stroll through meadows to a four-mile woodland jaunt. If you need to incentivise little legs, nearby <a href="https://birdandcarter.co.uk/pages/farmshop" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bird and Carter</a> farm shop &amp; cafe do epic cakes.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stourhead-stourton"><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stourhead/features/find-a-carpet-of-bluebells" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stourhead</a><strong>, </strong>Stourton </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/05/Stourhead-bluebells.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-31000" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/05/Stourhead-bluebells.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/05/Stourhead-bluebells-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/05/Stourhead-bluebells-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/05/Stourhead-bluebells-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/05/Stourhead-bluebells-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Stourhead isn&#8217;t all about glassy lakes and magical temples, it&#8217;s also home to some of the south west’s most impressive displays of bluebells. Try the <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wiltshire/stourhead/bonham-wood-walk-at-stourhead" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bonham Wood</a> walk, a local fave which takes you behind the Temple of Apollo and through spectacular woodland. Heading down into the gardens is highly recommended too – enjoy a stomp round the lake, then head to <a href="https://www.spreadeagleinn.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Spread Eagle</a> pub for a glass of vino.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-erlestoke-park-wood-erlestoke"><a href="https://getoutside.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/local/erlestoke-park-wood-wiltshire" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Erlestoke Park Wood</a>, Erlestoke </h2>



<p>This pretty woodland is swathed in a purple haze come April and early May. With trails and a pretty lake, it&#8217;s also a fab spot for the kids to play. Park at Holy Saviour’s Church and pop over the road to find the path.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lydiard-park-swindon"><a href="https://www.lydiardpark.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lydiard Park</a>, Swindon</h2>



<p>Head to the wooded areas of Lydiard Park this April and you&#8217;ll find bluebells breaking cover. Although it&#8217;s just outside Swindon, this place seems gloriously remote. Entry is free, you’ll just need to pay for parking. Better still, there are <a href="https://www.lydiardpark.org.uk/visit/park-facilities/cafe-and-tea-rooms/">two cafes</a> on site.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-west-woods-marlborough"><a href="https://getoutside.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/local/west-woods-wiltshire" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">West Woods</a>, Marlborough </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1501" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/05/West-Woods-Jennifer-Garrett.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-31003" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/05/West-Woods-Jennifer-Garrett.jpg 1501w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/05/West-Woods-Jennifer-Garrett-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/05/West-Woods-Jennifer-Garrett-1000x666.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/05/West-Woods-Jennifer-Garrett-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/05/West-Woods-Jennifer-Garrett-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1501px) 100vw, 1501px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Jennifer Garrett</figcaption></figure>



<p>These woods near Marlborough are pretty epic – in fact, they are often billed as the most popular in Wiltshire when it comes to bluebell spotting. They have another claim to fame too, as the source of Stonehenge’s giant sarsen stones. You’ll find loads of trails to explore, with a few paths that offer easier access for bikes and buggies.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wheelers-wood-lacock"><a href="https://getoutside.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/local/wheelers-wood-wiltshire-sn152ql" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wheelers Wood</a>, Lacock </h2>



<p>If you&#8217;re heading to Bowood it&#8217;s well worth driving by Wheelers Wood, at the top of Bowden Hill. It&#8217;s carpeted in the pretty blooms year after year.  Afterwards, head down into Lacock and enjoy a drink at <a href="https://www.signoftheangel.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Sign of the Angel</a>, or give the kids an ice cream at the Stables Café.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clanger-wood-westbury"><a href="https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/clanger-wood/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Clanger Wood</a>, Westbury  </h2>



<p>This is a top-notch place to spot bluebells. In fact, The Woodland Trust – which manages it – rates it as one of the best in the country. It’s a pocket of ancient woodland between Trowbridge and Westbury, and known for its fabulous displays of native bluebells – they’re the ones with dark cobalt flowers and a strong scent, as opposed to the Spanish which are pale lilac with little scent. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-old-fonthill-abbey-near-hindon"><a href="https://fonthill.co.uk/history/">Old Fonthill Abbey</a>, near Hindon  </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/04/Old-Fonthill-Abbey-resized-Sophie-Barton-2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-33244" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/04/Old-Fonthill-Abbey-resized-Sophie-Barton-2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/04/Old-Fonthill-Abbey-resized-Sophie-Barton-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/04/Old-Fonthill-Abbey-resized-Sophie-Barton-2-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sophie Barton</figcaption></figure>



<p>There&#8217;s a rare chance to explore this private estate on 5 May, when it opens to the public for a day. The woodland here is dubbed an “Arcadian idyll,” and for good reason &#8211; hidden deep in the forest you&#8217;ll find carpets of bluebells and a stunning lake, framed by vibrant&nbsp;rhododendrons. This place is steeped in history &#8211; it&#8217;s where William Beckford built his ginormous abbey, only for much of it to come crashing down a few years later. You&#8217;ll find the entrance on the Hindon &#8211; Newtown lane and it&#8217;s £10 per adult, in aid of Cure Parkinson&#8217;s.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heale-garden-middle-woodford"><a href="https://www.healegarden.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Heale Garden</a>, Middle Woodford</h2>



<p>This riverside garden near Salisbury is pretty spesh. Think bubbling streams, exuberant planting and meadows packed with spring bulbs. You&#8217;ll normally find scatterings of pretty bluebells along the river banks and maybe the odd peacock too. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-drews-wood-pond-devizes"><a href="https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/drews-pond-woods/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Drews Wood Pond</a>, Devizes </h2>



<p>This pretty nature reserve is managed by the Woodland Trust and has well cared-for footpaths, picnic tables, a stream and, natch, a pond. There&#8217;s normally a pretty sprinkling of bluebells too. It’s a tad hilly in places, and good for dogs.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mortimores-wood-chippenham"><a href="http://www.mortimores.org.uk/about_location.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mortimores Wood</a>, Chippenham </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2048" height="1536" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/05/94032924_641645700021493_3960789806392279040_n.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-31002" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/05/94032924_641645700021493_3960789806392279040_n.jpg 2048w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/05/94032924_641645700021493_3960789806392279040_n-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/05/94032924_641645700021493_3960789806392279040_n-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/05/94032924_641645700021493_3960789806392279040_n-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/05/94032924_641645700021493_3960789806392279040_n-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/05/94032924_641645700021493_3960789806392279040_n-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px" /></figure>



<p>Just a skip and a hop (a mile to be precise) outside Chippenham, this ancient wood offers an idyllic refuge from town. It’s small, but perfectly formed – and a great place to enjoy bluebells!&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/badbury" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Badbury</a>, near Swindon</h2>



<p>Another spot famed for bluebells (it even has a dedicated platform for photo opps), Badbury is well worth a visit on your quest. You can pick short walks or longer routes, and there&#8217;s an Iron Age fort if you&#8217;ve got any history fans in your midst. Plus, this Oxfordshire spot is so high up, the views stretch for miles.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tinney-s-firs-near-salisbury"><a href="https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/tinneys-firs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tinney’s Firs</a>, near Salisbury  </h2>



<p>Just outside Salisbury, this is a great place to see carpets of blue bursting into bloom. There’s easy parking on site, and plenty of paths winding through the trees. If you’re hungry for more, head over to the nature reserve at nearby <a href="https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/langley-wood/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Langley Wood</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-swallowcliffe-circular-cranborne-chase"><a href="https://www.alltrails.com/en-gb/trail/england/dorset/swallowcliffe-and-wardour-circular" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Swallowcliffe Circular</a>, Cranborne Chase  </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/04/diana-parkhouse-bluebells-unsplash-resized.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-33245" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/04/diana-parkhouse-bluebells-unsplash-resized.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/04/diana-parkhouse-bluebells-unsplash-resized-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/04/diana-parkhouse-bluebells-unsplash-resized-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>In it for the long haul? <a href="https://www.alltrails.com/en-gb/trail/england/dorset/swallowcliffe-and-wardour-circular">This</a> gorgeous Wiltshire walk comes highly recommended, although at eight miles it&#8217;s not for the faint-hearted. In addition to bluebell woods, it takes in pretty lakes and Old Wardour Castle, which is also well worth an explore (Robin Hood Prince of Thieves was filmed here). After a pub pitstop? Head to <a href="https://www.royaloakswallowcliffe.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Royal Oak</a>, which is co-owned by The Grand Tour&#8217;s James May. It also serves his exceedingly quaffable gin range, <a href="https://www.jamesgin.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">James Gin</a>. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-blackmoor-copse-near-east-grimstead"><a href="https://www.wiltshirewildlife.org/blackmoor" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Blackmoor Copse</a>, near East Grimstead</h2>



<p>For those who don&#8217;t know it, Blackmoor Copse also has a claim to fame &#8211; this was Wiltshire Wildlife Trust&#8217;s very first nature reserve. It&#8217;s also one of the county&#8217;s most important woods for wildlife, including butterflies, dormice and deer. In spring, you&#8217;ll find an Insta-worthy display of flowers, including bluebells, primroses and orchids. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hagbourne-copse-swindon"><a href="https://www.wiltshirewildlife.org/hagbourne-copse-swindon" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hagbourne Copse</a>, Swindon  </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/04/chris-fry-unsplash-resized.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-33247" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/04/chris-fry-unsplash-resized.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/04/chris-fry-unsplash-resized-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/04/chris-fry-unsplash-resized-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Hagbourne Copse may be small, but it packs a punch in the bluebell stakes.  Better still, it&#8217;s close to Swindon itself, which makes this an ideal lunchtime stroll. To get the best of the bluebells, aim for the end of April or start of May.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clouts-wood-wroughton"><a href="https://www.wiltshirewildlife.org/clouts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Clouts Wood</a>, Wroughton</h2>



<p>With its streams, steep banks and mossy woodland, this nature reserve makes a great place for the kids to explore. It&#8217;s fab in bluebell season but well worth a visit in late June too, when you might spot rare Bath Asparagus. Otherwise known as Spike Star of Bethlehem, it used to be grown commercially and sold in the city&#8217;s market. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-westonbirt-arboretum-tetbury"><a href="https://www.forestryengland.uk/westonbirt-the-national-arboretum#:~:text=Westonbirt%20Arboretum%20is%20one%20of,stunningly%20beautiful%20place%20to%20visit." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Westonbirt Arboretum</a>, Tetbury</h2>



<p>Nudge just north of Wiltshire and you&#8217;ll find Westonbirt Arboretum. While it&#8217;s fabulous at any time of year it comes into its own in spring. If you&#8217;re after dancing bluebells, head to Silk Wood, where they thrive in the dappled shade.  </p>


Dazzling displays: Wiltshire’s best bluebell hotspots

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