Bluebells are a sign of ancient woodland, where generations of bluebells have once thrived. Damage can prevent the leaves from photosynthesizing, causing the plant to die back. Bluebells take between five and seven years to get established, so even minor damage can have a long-lasting impact.
Essex Wildlife Trust is encouraging people to stick to marked pathways and be mindful of where they walk, to ensure the spectacle of these delicate, bell-shaped flowers can continue for many generations to come.
A number of Essex Wildlife Trust nature reserves provide the perfect habitat for these unmistakable woodland flowers, with their heavy purple-blue bells and bending stems. Now is the best time to enjoy this quintessential sign of British springtime, while the bluebells are at their best.
Here are the top 5 Essex Wildlife Trust nature reserves for bluebell displays:
Pound Wood in Thundersley
One of the largest remaining areas of ancient woodland in South East Essex, this nature reserve is an important part of the Daws Heath Living Landscape. This once neglected wood is now managed to improve the nature reserve for wildlife, with wonderful displays of bluebells. Walk between the adjacent Tile Wood and Little Haven nature reserves and then pop into the nearby Belfairs Nature Discovery Centre for lunch.
Weeleyhall Wood in Weeley
This nature reserve is one of the finest surviving woods in the Tendring area, with bluebells and yellow archangel covering half of the woodland in a sea of colours.
Open day: Sunday 5 May, 11am – 3pm – no booking required, free to attend but donations accepted.
Hanningfield Reservoir Nature Discovery Centre in Billericay
Follow The Wind in the Willows trail through the woodland and enjoy the wonderful display of bluebells. Then, stop a while in the Nature Discovery Centre and take in the panoramic views of the reservoir.
Guided walk: Sunday 28 April, 2pm - 4pm. To book, call: 01268711001
Shut Heath Wood in Great Totham
This quiet nature reserve located just below the crest of Great Totham Ridge is entirely carpeted in bluebells and other spring flowers such as cuckoo flower, primrose, dog violet and bugle.
Bedfords Park Nature Discovery Centre in Havering-atte-Bower
Look out over the hustle and bustle of London while walking through the peaceful woodlands and enjoy the large numbers of bluebells to be found there.