The Bluebells in Burroughs Woods, Leicestershire.
There is nothing that reminds me more of the fleeting nature of life than bluebell season.
Each spring, nature treats us to a wonderful sight. Bare winter woodlands are transformed, seemingly instantly. From one weekend to the next, the barren soil and muddy tracks are broken by a wave of flowers. This blue carpet is laid out just for a few weeks - and then it’s gone. You can never be sure when it will appear; go too early and there will be only a few lonely flowers, teasing the show to come. A week too late and the heavy heads will hang below the summer blooms emerging from the earth.
Bluebells at Burroughs Woods, Leicestershire
Luckily for me, Leicestershire is surrounded with woodlands which serve as pilgrimage sites each April. My favourite is Burroughs Woods. It’s a three-mile walk from the village of Ratby that winds through ancient trees towards Thornton Reservoir, with glades of dancing blue flowers on all sides. It’s not a long walk, but you can spend hours there, watching the sun move through the tree line as the day progresses.
There’s something about the transitory nature of this phenomenon that makes me determined to see it every year. It is a quintessential ritual of springtime in Britain - to venture out and walk amongst the bluebells - yet it can easily slip through your hands. When timed just right you will enjoy a fresh day with dappled sunlight, illuminating a blue haze of woodland - it is a perfect moment. One that signals the coming of longer days, stretching out into balmy evenings. But for now the beauty is here. In cold light and long shadows. Sweet perfume hanging in the air. And all around, these springtime visitors nodding their approval in the gentle breeze.
Thornton Reservoir, Leicestershire
How to see Bluebells in Leicestershire: the walk from Ratby to Burroughs Woods and Thornton Reservoir
Burroughs Woods is just a 20 minute drive from Leicester city centre. Being a car-free household, we got a bus to Ratby and joined the walking path on Markfield Road next to the Martinshaw Wood Car Park.
From here, you can walk all the way on the trail to Thornton Reservoir with only a very small portion along a country road without a footpath. After a walk around the reservoir, buses run back to the city from the village of Thornton - there’s always time to stop in a pub or cafe first, of course!
Find up to date bus maps and timetables here.
Other Bluebell Walks in Leicestershire - no car needed!
As I said, we make it a yearly tradition to scope out Bluebells in our local area. It’s a nice way to get outdoors and there aren’t many better things in life than a sunny spring day! But it can be tricky to get to remote woodland areas without a car. Here are some other options for spotting Bluebells in Leicestershire without needing wheels:
Swithland Woods - part of Bradgate Park estate and grounds. Buses from Leicester go to Anstey, where you can pick up a walking path to Bradgate Park and on to Swithland Woods. Walk back via Cropston Reservoir and get the bus back to the city from Cropston or Anstey.
Hambleton Woods - ok, so this is technically Rutland, not Leicestershire. Take your bike on the train to Oakham and ride through the village onto the Rutland Water cycle path (you can also hire bikes in Leicester, Oakham and Rutland Water). Head for the peninsula where you’ll find Hambleton Woods. The cycle path goes right through the woods and back round. If you’re feeling energetic, you can cycle the whole way around the reservoir.
How will I know if it’s Bluebell Season?
Generally speaking Bluebells spring up from late March to early May, but it can vary from year to year depending on the conditions. If spring is warm they might flower earlier, and if it is cold they will come later. If you visit at either end of that time period you may be disappointed. We usually time bluebell walks for mid to late April.
A handy tip I’ve used in the past is to check Instagram! Search the location of the place you’re visiting and look at the most recently posted pictures. People love sharing bluebells to the ’gram, and it is one way to check ahead and see if the flowers are in bloom.
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