In and around Berkshire

Bluebells are not the easiest subject to photograph. Dappled light leads to contrast and colour issues and there's the practical aspect of trying not to damage the very thing you're celebrating. Photographer Hugh Mothersole has top tips for phone snappers and professionals alike.

A sea of bluebells in a dappled woodland is one of the most heart-lifting sights of spring in late April and early May. Here are some of the top spots to see them around Berkshire, including Cliveden, Greys Court and Basildon Park.

We're one of the most important organisations in the UK for bluebell conservation. A quarter of our woodland is ancient or semi-natural which is an ideal habitats for bluebells.

In hectic lives it's easy to miss the the little milestones that tell us that spring is on its way. Here are 7 signs of spring to look out for and take pleasure in.

As nature wakes up after winter, why not head to the woodland at Cliveden, The Vyne or Maidenhead and Cookham Commons to see the trees coming into leaf. There are lots of places to see signs of spring on a walk around Berkshire and the Thames Valley.

From patchwork bulb beds at Greys Court to the spectacular parterre at Cliveden, our gardens are bursting with colour this spring.

Spring is here, which means it’s time to remove the covers from the historic statuary in gardens and parkland at places like Hughenden, Waddesdon, Cliveden and Basildon Park. Once the covers are off, the hard work begins.

The Weighbridge is Cliveden's secondhand bookshop; a place where you can pick up a bargain whilst supporting vital conservation work.

Find out how we restored the Rose Garden wall, which collapsed over a harsh winter.

Here's a reminder of all the wonderful places to visit along the Thames Valley.

The variety of Berkshire's country houses and gardens includes grand mansions and intimate homes with cottage gardens.

With dappled woodlands, wildflower meadows and wildlife-rich wetlands, there is some beautiful countryside to explore around Berkshire.