Dorset, Somerset &amp; Bristol


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1001" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/00-bluebells-jez-timms-ikgmBELD7PQ-unsplash.jpg" alt="bluebells " class="wp-image-94801" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/00-bluebells-jez-timms-ikgmBELD7PQ-unsplash.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/00-bluebells-jez-timms-ikgmBELD7PQ-unsplash-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/00-bluebells-jez-timms-ikgmBELD7PQ-unsplash-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/00-bluebells-jez-timms-ikgmBELD7PQ-unsplash-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/00-bluebells-jez-timms-ikgmBELD7PQ-unsplash-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Jez Timms, Unsplash</figcaption></figure>



<p>If you go down to the woods in late April and early May, you’re sure of a big surprise. Yes, it’s bluebell season! And I know the best places to spot these enchanting violet carpets flowering across Somerset &amp; Dorset. Read on for my guide to the best bluebell-spotting woodland walks, from gentle National Trust strolls to heady hikes off the beaten track.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-somerset">SOMERSET</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="968" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/00-bluebells-gabriel-mccallin-tRH2HqZm4OU-unsplash.jpg" alt="bluebells" class="wp-image-94798" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/00-bluebells-gabriel-mccallin-tRH2HqZm4OU-unsplash.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/00-bluebells-gabriel-mccallin-tRH2HqZm4OU-unsplash-800x516.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/00-bluebells-gabriel-mccallin-tRH2HqZm4OU-unsplash-1000x645.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/00-bluebells-gabriel-mccallin-tRH2HqZm4OU-unsplash-400x258.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/00-bluebells-gabriel-mccallin-tRH2HqZm4OU-unsplash-768x496.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Gabriel Mccallin, Unsplash</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wayford-woods-near-crewkerne">Wayford Woods, near Crewkerne</h2>



<p>Criss-crossing paths, a large pond, a swing, a meadow and masses of beautiful rhododendrons and azaleas as well as bluebells in a magical woodland hidden down an unmade road three miles south of Crewkerne. You&#8217;ll need a satnav to find it: TA18 8QH.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-goblin-combe-near-cleeve"><strong><a href="http://www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserves/goblin-combe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Goblin Combe</a>, near Cleeve</strong></h2>



<p>Worth a visit for the name alone. Grasslands above and woodlands  below (where you’ll find those blue flowers) in a limestone gorge. Great views across the Mendips too at this Avon Wildlife Trust reserve.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brockholes-along-the-south-west-coast-path-exmoor"><strong><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/walksdb/221/" target="_blank">Brockholes</a>, along the South West Coast path, Exmoor</strong></h2>



<p>Six miles of rugged track and footpath (some narrow and exposed –  eek) but it’s worth holding your nerve for amazing views across the  Bristol Channel to the Brecon Beacons in Wales and the three valleys  filled with bluebells and other flowers in amongst the gorse. And the brockholes? Ancient quarries.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ladies-walk-montacute"><strong><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/somerset/montacute-house/things-to-do-on-the-estate-at-montacute-house" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ladies Walk</a>, Montacute</strong></h2>



<p>A short, semi-circular walk from a pathway alongside the village school, up through a hillside beech wood thronged with bluebells – you can just see the village and Elizabethan Montacute House through the  trees – before heading down through a lane cutting deep through the hamstone rock back into Montacute.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-king-s-castle-wood-near-wells"><strong><a href="http://www.somersetwildlife.org/kings_castle_wood.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">King’s Castle Wood</a>, near Wells</strong></h2>



<p>Combine bluebells, wildlife history – this Somerset Wildlife Trust nature reserve is on the site of an Iron Age hill fort, just a mile away from the centre of Wells – with views across to Glastonbury Tor and the Somerset Levels.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-thurlbear-woods-near-taunton"><strong><a href="http://www.somersetwildlife.org/thurlbear_wood.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Thurlbear Woods</a>, near Taunton</strong></h2>



<p>With its incredible variety of flowers, fungi and wildlife in an  ancient woodland&nbsp; you won’t be surprised to discover this is a Site of  Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Secret glades, foot paths and a  rookery, all there to discover.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-aller-and-beer-woods-near-langport"><strong><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://www.somersetwildlife.org/aller_beer_woods" target="_blank">Aller and Beer Woods</a>, near Langport</strong></h2>



<p>One of the Somerset Wildlife Trust’s nature reserves, this ancient  woodland along the western slope of Aller Hill is a Site of Special  Scientific Interest (SSSI), with oak and ash trees, wood-peckers, the  odd deer, the rare star-shaped earthstar fungi&nbsp; as well as all those  bluebells.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-greyfield-wood-near-high-littleton"><strong><a href="https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/greyfield-wood/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Greyfield Wood (opens in a new tab)">Greyfield Wood</a>, near High Littleton</strong></h2>



<p>Once part of the Earl of Warwick’s hunting estate, then mined for coal, Greyfield Wood is one of Somerset’s largest ancient woodlands (now owned by the Woodland Trust) and a wonderful place to visit, with all kinds of wildlife (from voles to  wild deer), a cascading waterfall – and fab bluebells. Take the footpath  running south from the Greyfield Road out of High Littleton, about 10 miles from Bath.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rspb-swell-wood-fivehead-between-taunton-and-langport"><strong><a href="https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/swell-wood/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RSPB Swell Wood</a>, Fivehead, between Taunton and Langport</strong></h2>



<p>As well as bluebells, you might also see nesting grey herons and little egrets (aaawww) in this part ancient woodland part abandoned oak plantation stretching 10 miles from Langport to the Blackdown Hills.&nbsp;  Over 100 pairs of birds come to breed between March and June making it  one of the largest colonies in the south west.&nbsp; Swell Wood is about 11  miles from Taunton, off the A378 between the villages of Fivehead and  Curry Rivel.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-leigh-woods-clifton-bristol"><strong><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/leigh-woods/" target="_blank">Leigh Woods</a>, Clifton</strong>, Bristol</h2>



<p>Winding trails through bluebell woods with spectacular views of 
Brunel’s famous Clifton Suspension Bridge and the city through gaps in 
the trees. It being owned by the National Trust, there are picnic 
tables, a compostable loo and a downloadable family trail with kids play
 stuff along the route.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dorset">DORSET</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/00-bluebells-nick-fewings-Bdc1plxhbCY-unsplash.jpg" alt="bluebells in dorset" class="wp-image-94799" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/00-bluebells-nick-fewings-Bdc1plxhbCY-unsplash.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/00-bluebells-nick-fewings-Bdc1plxhbCY-unsplash-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/00-bluebells-nick-fewings-Bdc1plxhbCY-unsplash-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/00-bluebells-nick-fewings-Bdc1plxhbCY-unsplash-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/00-bluebells-nick-fewings-Bdc1plxhbCY-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bluebells near Wimborne, Nick Fewings, Unsplash</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-langdon-hill-near-chideock"><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/golden-cap/langdon-hill-walk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Langdon Hill,</a> near Chideock</h2>



<p>Stroll through a National Trust-owned woodland of Scots pine and larch, strewn with bluebells and foxgloves and with stunning views across Dorset and to Golden Cap, the highest point on the south coast.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-powerstock-common-toller-porcorum-near-dorchester"><a href="https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/powerstock-common" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Powerstock Common</a>, Toller Porcorum, near Dorchester</h2>



<p>In spring, these Dorset Wildlife Trust woodlands are alive with the sound of birdsong and carpeted not just with bluebells but with wild daffodils, herb-Paris (aka true lover&#8217;s knot) and early purple orchid too. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/ashley-wood" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ashley Wood</a>, Tarrant Keyneston, near Blandford Forum</h2>



<p>Another Dorset Wildlife nature reserve, with an ancient ash and hazel coppice carpeted with bluebells and wood anemones in spring. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/lewesdon-hill" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lewesdon Hill,</a> near Beaminster</h2>



<p>The highest point in Dorset, this ancient hillfort is enveloped by a magnificent beech and oak wood thronged with bluebells, with views of Devon, Somerset and the sea. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kingston-lacy-near-wimborne"><a aria-label="Kingston Lacy, (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/kingston-lacy/features/bluebells-at-kingston-lacy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kingston Lacy,</a> near Wimborne</h2>



<p>Four woodland trails around the estate of this Italianate mansion take in the best bluebells, including Abbot Street Copse in Pamphill, which was planted with new trees a few years ago to conserve the important woodland.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-duncliffe-wood-stour-row-nr-shaftesbury"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Duncliffe Wood (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/duncliffe-wood/" target="_blank">Duncliffe Wood</a>, Stour Row, nr Shaftesbury</h2>



<p>Just three miles outside Shaftesbury, this huge Woodland Trust wood and (Site of Nature Conservation Interest) is famed for the bluebells on its steep slopes. The ancient wood appears in the Domesday Book, was once owned by Eton College and is said to have inspired Thomas Hardy&#8217;s <em>The Woodlanders. </em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-colmer-s-hill-symondsbury-nr-bridport"><a href="https://symondsburyestate.co.uk/activities/colmershillwalk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Colmer's Hill (opens in a new tab)">Colmer&#8217;s Hill</a>, Symondsbury, nr Bridport</h2>



<p>Climb up the iconic hill on the Symondsbury Estate for gorgeous views of the surrounding countryside – West Dorset, East Devon and the sea – from the top and bluebells growing along the way.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fifehead-wood-fifehead-magdalen-nr-gillingham"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Fifehead Wood (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/fifehead-wood/" target="_blank">Fifehead Wood</a>, Fifehead Magdalen, nr Gillingham</h2>



<p>Another Woodland Trust site, with buzzards and woodpeckers to watch out for as well as the bluebells. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-champernhayes-woods-wootton-fitzpaine-nr-lyme-regis"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Charmouth+Forest/@50.7650686,-2.9873969,12z/data=!4m8!1m2!2m1!1schampernhayes+woods!3m4!1s0x48727a2ad9912481:0x353559fb834b62a4!8m2!3d50.7684044!4d-2.9167772" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Champernhayes Woods (opens in a new tab)">Champernhayes Woods</a>, Wootton Fitzpaine, nr Lyme Regis</h2>



<p>Also known, confusingly as Charmouth Forest and Wootton Hill, the bluebells grow in amongst the beech trees in the lower section of the woods. Take the circular walk and you&#8217;ll be rewarded with views of the sea. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bulbarrow-hill-woolland-nr-blandford-forum"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Bulbarrow+Hill/@50.8499981,-2.3341763,14z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x48724dbbe803a2b1:0x51c192d23fb6e95c!8m2!3d50.85!4d-2.3166667" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Bulbarrow Hill (opens in a new tab)">Bulbarrow Hill</a>, Woolland, nr Blandford Forum</h2>



<p>Walk to the top of this chalk hill – one of the highest points in Dorset – for the bluebells and fab views across the Blackmore Vale and beyond to Somerset Wilts and Devon.</p>



<p></p>


20 beautiful bluebell walks around Somerset & Dorset

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