It's bluebell season and the iconic blue-purple flowers have already begun to bloom across Britain thanks to unseasonably mild weather over the last six weeks. Shimmering bluebell carpets will be at their best just in time for Easter and the following bank holidays and they make a magical environment for families to enjoy time together.

Thanks to a new website, finding your nearest bluebell wood couldn’t be easier. The Woodland Trust in partnership with the National Trust, RSPB, Wildlife Trusts and the Forestry Commission has developed a brand new website VisitWoods.org.uk. It has the UK’s largest searchable database of woods and for bluebell season a simple postcode search, with the bluebell symbol ticked, will generate a map and directions to your nearest accessible bluebell woods.

Around half of all the bluebells in the world are found in the UK. They are a protected species strongly associated with ancient woodland and if you are looking at carpets of bluebells in a wood, it’s likely that wood is also ancient. Ancient woods are the UK’s equivalent of the rainforest, home to more species than any other habitat. The magnificent bluebell displays we are treated to each year are a perfect reminder of how precious they are.

Spending time in the woods in your family is a free, easy and great fun, so go to VisitWoods.org.uk and find your nearest bluebell wood to visit this weekend. Then all you need to do is pack a picnic, round up the family, fetch the dog and grab your camera before you go and bask in the glorious spectacle that nature treats us to each spring.

Melissa Corkhill is the editor of The Green Parent magazine, mother of two and author of the book Green Parenting

About The Green Parent

The Green Parent is the UK's leading green lifestyle and natural parenting magazine. A truly inspiring read, TGP is like nothing else on the newsstand, with insightful intelligent journalism covering topics from babywearing and attachment parenting to home-education and alternative medicine. Each issue features regular columns on Organic Gardening, Seasonal Food and Drink, Green Travel, Ethical Fashion and lots more. Read more about Green Parent »

Email Newsletter

Sign up for the Green Parent email newsletter.

Name: Email:

Subscribe

Sign up today to receive this vibrant green lifestyle magazine delivered to your door. Subscribe to the magazine