Native British Bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) can carpet a woodland. Their delicate appearance and vivid colour are unmistakeable, however, must not be confused with the invasive Spanish Bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica). Our dainty flowers are native to western Europe and the UK is a species stronghold. They’re associated with ancient woodland and are often used, in combination with other species, as a clue that a wood has been around for centuries, but can also be found in fields and hedgerows. The difference between Spanish and English bluebells is how the bells grow. The Spanish bell grows upright with the flowers all along the stem. In contrast, the British flower droops to one side. There is also a hybrid species (Hyacinthoides x massartiana) which is similar to the British bluebell but can threaten their existence.
There are many places where they grow but here is a selection of woodlands and walks where they are pretty much guaranteed – map at bottom of page! Alternatively, just search for bluebells in the search bar.
It is also possible to follow the bluebells as they flower on an interactive map courtesy of the Woodland Trust.
Abbot Street Copse – The forest is shared with a Roman Road that once linked Babury Rings to the Roman Fort at Lake Hill
Ashley Wood – Another woodland in the Cranborne case, this time neighbouring the hill fort of Buzbury.
Ashmore Wood – Neighbouring the highest village in the county, this large woodland sits on the edge of the ancient hunting ground of Cranborne Chase.
Bere Woods – From Woodbury Hillfort to the little village of Bloxworth a bridleway weaves through the woods.
Brackett’s Coppice – Dorset Wildlife Trust owned woodland with permissive paths following a little stream.
Bulbarrow and Delacombe Wood – The hilltop can have a number of patches of bluebells, in the same location as the oldest tree in Dorset. Just off the route is Delacombe Woods, another bluebell filled woodland.
Charmouth Forest – Hidden down little lanes, this is a beauty of a bluebell forest (one of my favourites!)
Coney’s Castle– The bluebells can not only be found in the woodland here but are also kown to carpet the valley of Fishpond’s Bottom.
Duncliffe Hill – The wooded peak in the Blackmore Vale is carpeted in Bluebells.
East Stoke and Cole Wood– The nature reserve of East Stoke Fen, sitting on the banks of the River Frome, as well as the forest of Cole Wood supports a large population of Bluebells.
Eype Down – Hidden from the coastline by the towering Thorncombe Beacon.
Fifehead Wood – Hidden North Dorset open access woodland, deep in the Blackmore Vale
Gussage Down – the bluebells line the old Roman Road as its cuts through an ancient settlement.
Hibbitts Wood, near Halstock. A small woodland owned by Dorset Wildlife Trust with a looped path through the trees
Hilfield Nature Reserve – Bluebell filled woodland on a high plateau overlooking the Blackmore Vale.
Holway Woods – Hidden in the depths of North West Dorset, the little nature reserve sits on the slopes, looking down on the the sandstone village and Manor House of Sandford Orcas.
Hooke– Near the source of the River Hooke and a manor whose gardens were excavated by Time Team.
Knighton Heath – Amongst the remains of the WW2 airfield, complete with initials carved into the trees.
Langdon Hill –– Placed near the peak of the highest point on the southern coastline, between the villages of Chideock and Morcombelake.
Lewesdon Hill– The highest point in Dorset, this Hillfort is famous for its carpet of Bluebells.
Lime Kiln Coppice – Open access woodland on the edge of Stubhampton estate.
Milton Abbey Park – This large woodland was once part of the landscape design of Milton Abbey.
Mistleberry Woods – In the company of ancient earthworks and an overgrown landscape design in Cranborne Chase on the Dorset border with Wiltshire
Piddles Wood, Sturmintser Newton – Standing high above the River Stour and the old Somerset and Dorset Railway.
Powerstock Forest– Running alongside a dismantled railway, this nature reserve contains a mixture of species, all managed by a herd of Exmoor Ponies.
Plumley Wood – In the vicinity of a medieval castle and village remains, now lost in history.
Thorncombe Woods – The childhood home of Thomas Hardy, the forest is also scarred by a Roman Road and a number of ancient burial mounds.
Tincleton – Placed on a high ridge dividing the River Piddle from the River Frome. Accessible from either Athelhampton House from the north or Pallington’s Sculpture by the Lakes to the south.
Wilkswood – Ancient woodland on the Isle of Purbeck
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