As winter finally fades away we are rewarded with one of the best signs of the arrival of spring with the appearance of the iconic bloom of bluebells. The Forest of Dean and Wye Valley is home to some of the most spectacular shows of bluebells in the country and visitors from across the UK and abroad eagerly await their return each year and the pleasure of seeing the stunning carpets of bluebells that can be found deep in the woods or even viewed from the road while driving.
The bluebells are usually at their best in the Forest of Dean during late April and early May, but the timing depends very much upon the weather. They have also been known to show about two weeks earlier in the Wye Valley. You don't have to travel far to see them as the bluebells cover the whole forest during spring and many walks will take in expansive carpets of the flowers.
Bluebells are found in oak or other deciduous woodland; the big coniferous woods are too dark for them. There are plenty of breathtaking vistas to choose from in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley and below we have put together our guide to some of the best places to see them:
From The Dean Heritage Centre you can discover a magical walk through beautiful woodlands. From Soudley drive a little further north to Bradley Hill past Blackpool Bridge. Take time to admire the carpet of blue under the coppice of trees as you reach the old Roman road. Continue on to Wenchford and you’ll be rewarded with a lagoon of bluebells.
Bigsweir and Cadora Woods
Renowned for their bluebell woods this section of the Wye Valley takes in the Offa's Dyke Footpath north of Bigsweir Bridge travelling towards Redbrook.
Built in the early 12th century, St Briavels was an important royal castle on the frontier with Wales before becoming a crossbow bolt factory in the reign of Edward I. Now a youth hostel, it makes a fantastic starting point for walks in the surrounding woodland which becomes a riot of blue from the end of April.
The woods around Tintern are ancient and rich with wildflowers. In April the scent of wild garlic fills the air and at the end of the month the bluebells cover the forest floor. The Wye Valley Walk from Eagle's Nest for many miles is excellent for bluebells, as are Chepstow Park Wood and Fedw Wood. Before heading down to Parva Farm Vineyard above Tintern for a tipple, be sure to explore Coed Beddick, the woodland that overlooks the vines.
In the heart of the Forest of Dean, Beechenhurst makes the perfect base for exploring. Surrounded by unspoilt woodland, and the start of the famous Sculpture Trail, Beechenhurst is just the spot to set up a picnic and enjoy the blankets of blue all about you.
The perfect place to enjoy a cream team with a view; Speech House Hotel is nestled in beautiful woodland. Take your tea as you overlook the ancient forest, bursting with spring colours, at its borders. The Cyril Hart Arboreturm and Speech House Woodland next door are also perfect spots for bluebell walks.
Enjoy the blooms on two wheels along the cycle trail from Speech House to the beautiful Cannop Ponds. Wander along the water’s edge surrounded with trees sheltering a carpet of bluebells.
Though worth the walk all-year-round, Symonds Yat in spring is something to behold. With the canopy still budding, you can look down into the Wye Valley and spot bluebell woods for miles around.
As well as boasting gorgeous gardens, Lydney Park Estate has evidence of settlements dating back to 100BC and extensive ruins of a Roman camp including a Roman temple. Over time many impressive, exotic and rare trees have been planted in the Deer Park by successive generations of owners while the rich earth of the eight-acre woodland garden provides one of the most spectacular shows of bluebells around. Only open from April-June each year.
Visible from many points around the Forest of Dean, May Hill is a well-known landmark with a distinctive clump of trees on its peak. Commanding views from the brow of the hill reveal swathes of bluebells on its slopes. Why not go there on May Day to watch the sunrise and the morris men dance?
Near Goodrich along the River Wye this hilltop is blanketed with beautiful bluebells in spring and offers expansive views of the surrounding countryside.
With acres of ancient forest and a stunning winding river valley, walking is of course one of the most popular outdoor activities in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley and there are plenty of options for walkers of all types.
A gentle introduction to the region and some simple routes to get you started exploring. These 12 walks are all circular and are mainly on clearly defined, wellworn paths, tracks and lanes which should be easy to locate. There are route maps provided indicating the starting points, car parks and any gates.
From the 20 million trees in the Forest of Dean to the 58 mile long Wye Valley AONB, our natural beauty, dramatic landscapes and plethora of flora and fauna are what make our area so unique. You can walk for miles along glorious paths and see a wide range of local plants, trees and animals.
The underlying geology of the Forest of Dean is limestone and sandstone and has resulted in a rich and varied flora. The Forest is home to many wild flowers, from winter snowdrops to spring bluebells, daffodils and foxgloves
May Hill is one of the most familiar landmarks for many miles around, with its near circular mound and crowning clump of trees. It offers wonderful views and is an ideal spot to view the sunrise and sunset over the forest, hills and valleys all around.
With acres of ancient forest and a stunning winding river valley, walking is of course one of the most popular outdoor activities in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley and there are plenty of options for walkers of all types.
