Top Ten Places to See Bluebells on the Great West Way

Nothing says springtime in England like a sun-dappled wood carpeted with brightly coloured bluebells. It's a cheerful and heart-warming sign that winter is over and warmer days are ahead. As you travel the route of the Great West Way between Bristol and London, there are many opportunities to enjoy this colourful vision. We've put together a list of our top ten lovely bluebell walks for you to enjoy, with options located all the way along the Great West Way.

There are a few things to be aware of when planning your Great West Way bluebell walk! Timing is crucial; bluebells only flower for a couple of months in the spring, and you’ll see the best flowers between mid-April and mid-May. Secondly, bluebells are easily damaged so be careful where you step, stick to the path so you don't crush any flowers, and never pick the bluebells.

West Woods, near Marlborough in Wiltshire

A popular choice for local bluebell-lovers, West Woods is located a couple of miles south of the Wiltshire town of Marlborough. The woodland is believed to be the source of the sarsen stones used at Stonehenge. Today, it is a lovely place to walk at any time of year – but visitors in late spring will be rewarded by fantastic bluebell displays.

Clayfield Copse, Caversham on the Berkshire/Oxfordshire border

Clayfield Copse on the edge of Caversham in Reading features fields, wild flower meadows and woodland. It was Reading's first local nature reserve and today is a good location for bluebell spotting in the spring.

Hagbourne Copse Nature Reserve near Swindon

Looked after by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, Hagbourne Copse nature reserve puts on a stunning display of native bluebells every year in April and May. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife as you explore; great spotted woodpeckers, foxes, shrews and newts all make their homes here. 

Arnos Vale Cemetery, Bristol

Most bluebell walks tend to be through rural woodland, as these flowers famously love the dappled shade found in English woods. However, in South East Bristol you can see pretty bluebells in the unusual setting of a Victorian cemetery. Arnos Vale Cemetery is a rare urban haven for wildlife and plants sees wildflowers - including bluebells - flourishing every spring, and offers tranquil and atmospheric walks.

Silk Wood, Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire

Westonbirt, the National Arboretum is a brilliant tree garden in Gloucestershire, home to one of the most beautiful and important plant collections in the world. At Silk Wood, you’ll find lovely bluebells turning the floor blue in April and May. And there are plenty of other delights to enjoy during a spring visit to Westonbirt. At this time of year, many of the trees will be in blossom, with spring bulbs adding even more colour to the arboretum.

Bowdown Woods, near Newbury, Berkshire

Located to the South East of the Berkshire town of Newbury, Bowdown Woods offer a classic English bluebell walk experience. Here, pretty green leaves spread dappled shade over a sumptuous carpet of blue. There are plenty of paths to follow through the wood to get your fill of the bluebells on display.

Leigh Wood, near Bristol

One of the most popular spots for Bristol locals to enjoy the bluebells every spring, Leigh Woods can be found to the West of the city, across the famous Clifton Suspension Bridge. You’ll be amazed to find this oasis of tranquillity so close to such a vibrant city!  A lovely spot for a bluebell walk on a sunny spring day.

Warburg Nature Reserve, near Henley on Thames

High in the Chiltern Hills to the north of Henley on Thames, Warburg Nature Reserve is a stunning and remote spot. Just off the Great West Way route – but within easy detour distance - this is a lovely place to get away from it all at any time of year. And in April and May you will find the woodland awash with bluebells and wood anemones.

Bathwick Wood (on the Bath skyline)

Located to the East of the city of Bath, you can include a visit to Bathwick Woods as part of walking the ever-popular Bath Skyline walk, offering brilliant views over the city. Bathwick Woods will be full of fresh, bright bluebells in the spring months, adding extra colour and character to a walk that is always pleasant.

Bisham Woods, near Maidenhead

Said to be one of the inspirations for Kenneth Grahame's much-loved children's book The Wind in the Willows, Bisham Woods is an ancient woodland site located to the north of Maidenhead. The woodland is home to lots of interesting flowers and flora, including fungi, orchids, primroses and springtime bluebells.

We hope we’ve inspired you to make a take a spring visit to the Great West Way, and to enjoy the quintessentially English sight of a woodland awash in bluebells as part of your trip. Start planning your journey along the route today by taking a look at the many things to see and do and wonderful places to stay on the Great West Way.