Bluebells at Emmetts Garden

Every spring the floors of the woodland are transformed into a carpet of blue as the English native bluebells come into bloom. These delicate little flowers make a wonderful sight and are not to be missed on a visit to Emmetts Garden this spring.

Our woods are even a SSSI (site of special scientific interest) due to the English native bluebells that grow in them. This gives the bluebells a special protected status, making it illegal for people to pick them. As a SSSI, we can ensure our visitors enjoy the bluebells for years to come.

When will we see the best of the bluebells?

Our English native bluebells typically bloom from mid-April to mid-May each year. The exact dates vary from year to year though depending on the weather in the prior months.

We're expecting a late bloom in 2018 due to the cold snaps in late February and March.

The dates for the 2018 bluebell season are yet to be confirmed, but we’ll keep you updated. In the meantime you can follow our Facebook page to get the latest news on the bluebell watch.

Every step counts

Did you know every damaged bluebell takes four to six years to regrow?

Each step on a bluebell causes harm. The crumpled leaves are unable to photosynthesise, starving the fragile plant of food and energy. They’re unable to survive and flower in the following years.

For Matt Scott, Head Gardener at Emmetts Garden, this is a yearly challenge.

'When you see them each year, pushing through the old leaf litter on sturdy stalks in their hundres, it's hard to believe they're actually a fragile flower' Matt explains. 'They don't like change or disturbance, preferring ancient woods where the ground has lain undisturbed for years'.

'Once damaged, they can't put food back into their bulbs, reducing their ability to produce flowers and seeds. You see it in popular bluebell woods where narrow tracks made by one person soon become wider. The bluebells become islands instead of the carpet we all love'.

By sticking to the paths you can help save our bluebells for others to enjoy. Remember to keep your dog on a short lead and under control so they don’t cause any damage either.

Taking photographs amongst the bluebells

It’s important to avoid accidently damaging the plants with your camera equipment, your feet or even your canine companion’s paws.

Here’s a top tip from volunteer photographer Hugh Mothersole – “By shooting from a low angle it’s easy to create the illusion that a person is sitting or standing amongst the bluebells when they are actually out of harm’s way on a footpath. Look for bends in the paths or junctions if you want flowers in the foreground as well as behind your subject”.

Avoid the crowds

Bluebell season is very popular at Emmetts Garden and we love to see you all enjoying our special place. Carpark space however can get very strained at this time, particularly at weekends.

For a calmer experience we recommend visiting Monday-Friday.

Alternatively you can always park at nearby Toys Hill, with it's own National Trust car park and enjoy one of our walks from there. Toys Hill links up with the Emmetts Garden woodland, so you won't miss out on any of our bluebells

Bring a picnic, beat the queues

Our tea-room is only little, so it can get very busy during the bluebell season. Expect queues if you're visiting during the school holidays or at the weekend.

If it's a sunny day we recommend bringing a picnic along and dining al fresco in our meadow.