Our top spring nature walks

Now's the perfect time to get outdoors and spot signs of our gardens and countryside bursting into life. There's plenty to enjoy from blooming daffodils to colourful bluebells, as well as nesting birds and lively otters. Here's our top nature walks all around the country to try this spring.

Overlooking Abereiddi's Blue Lagoon from the clifftop
Walking trail

Abermawr, Pembrokeshire 

Shrug off the darkness of winter by taking a refreshing walk along Abermawr’s rugged coastline. This one-mile circular walk will take you through woods carpeted in bluebells, meadows, shingle beach and marsh. Check out the blue lagoon – a former slate quarry that was abandoned and flooded.

Discover the wonders of Abermawr
Great Wood Bluebells at Blickling 310517
Walking trail

Blickling Estate, Norfolk 

Breathe in the scent of spring flowers on a walk around the Blickling Estate with its red-brick mansion, ancient yew hedges, magnificent gardens and historic parkland. Daffodils and tulips have brought colour to the gardens and carpets of bluebells have sprung up in woodland areas.

Admire spring flowers at the Blickling Estate
Brownsea Island south shore beach
Walking trail

Brownsea Island, Dorset 

Enjoy a magical walk in the heart of this beautiful island that's teeming with wildlife. Pass through woodland, which is home to yellow-striped goldcrests and peregrines. The lakes on Brownsea Island also attract a huge variety of insects so keep your eyes peeled for dragonflies, small red damselflies, green tiger beetles and butterflies.

Explore Brownsea Island
Temple water at Castle Ward with two swans swimming
Walking trail

Castle Ward, County Down, Northern Ireland  

Spring has sprung at Castle Ward and there is no better way to experience the highlights than by following a trail that takes you along the shoreline of Strangford Lough and around the 15th-century Audley’s Castle. Follow the path up to steeper climbs with incredible views of the Castle Ward mansion and surrounding countryside.

Experience spring at Castle Ward
Jacob sheep with St Peter's church in background at Charlecote Park
Walking trail

Charlecote Park, Warwickshire 

Take a stroll through this beautiful ‘Capability’ Brown-inspired landscape, along routes with gentle terrain that's suitable for both little and long legs. The parkland is great for spotting spring wildlife, including the herd of fallow deer and Jacob sheep. Why not bring your binoculars and see what other wildlife you can find?

Spot wildlife at Charlecote
photo of a daffodil with temple greenhouse in background
Walking trail

Croome, Worcestershire 

Spring has arrived at the Croome. The primroses and cowslips are in bloom and wildlife is emerging from the parkland. Take a relaxing circular walk around the outer parkland and look out over the Worcestershire countryside to the Malvern Hills.

Explore Croome
A veteran tree in Hinton Ampner's ancient parkland

Hinton Ampner, Hampshire 

Stroll across ancient parkland and learn about some remarkable trees. Experience the majesty of an oak tree that dates back to the Tudor times and is thought to be between 500 and 600 years old or look out for squirrels and birds on the branches of an early 18th-century sweet chestnut tree. Stand alongside a huge gnarled oak that overlooked the Battle of Cheriton – a key victory for the parliamentarians during the Civil War.

Learn about ancient trees at Hinton Ampner
Looking across the daffodil filled orchard to the north side of the house on a sunny day
Walking trail

Ightham Mote, Kent 

Shake off the winter blues and lift your spirits as Ightham Mote bursts into bloom. Discover the orchard as it comes to life with a carpet of daffodils, followed by the apple blossom. This circular walk around Ightham’s periphery incorporates the very best of the spring colour surrounding the moated manor. Swathes of bluebells and campion can be found in ancient Scathes Wood, running alongside the driveway.

Wander up to Wilmot Hill
Gatehouse, garden and house at Lanhydrock
Walking trail

Lanhydrock, Cornwall 

Set out on this beautiful walk from the magnificent grounds of Lanhydrock House – an impressive example of Victorian style and design. Follow the trail alongside the Great Wood where you can see dazzling displays of bluebells at this time of year. Discover a magical avenue of beach and sycamore trees and look out for fungi, lichen, bats and kingfishers.

Get close to nature at Lanhydrock
Murlough sand dunes
Walking trail

Murlough Nature Reserve, County Down, Northern Ireland 

Experience the sights, sounds and smells of spring at the Murlough Nature Reserve – a site of rolling dunes, lining the sparkling blue waters of Dundrum Bay and overlooked by the craggy slopes of the Mourne Mountains. Listen to an orchestra of thrushes, blackbirds, robins, tits and chaffinches seeking new territory.

Listen to birds at Murlough Nature Reserve
Shingle leads up to the two Pagodas at Orford Ness, Suffolk

Orford Ness, Suffolk 

Take your marching orders this spring and challenge yourself to multiple walking routes around Orford Ness – a beautiful coastal nature reserve with a fascinating military history. Follow waymarked trails through shingle, salt-marsh and brackish lagoons.

March into spring at Orford Ness
A view of the front of Polesden Lacey with daffodills
Walking trail

Polesden Lacey, Surrey 

Head to Polesden Lacey’s 1400-acre estate in the Surrey and follow a walking trail that takes you into the heart of Ranmore Common with incredible views over the Denbies Hillside. On this four-mile walk you’ll see working and historic farms, sheep and their lambs, ancient woodlands and rolling hills.

Take in incredible views at Polesden Lacey
The view across the lake to the South East Front of Sizergh Castle, Cumbria
Walking trail

Sizergh, Cumbria  

Sizergh Castle is a magical way to start this spectacular wildlife walk that weaves its way through a peaceful part of the South Lakes. This vantage point offers views across rolling green countryside, the coast at Morecambe Bay, the Lakeland Fells and the Pennines.

Take in the views at Sizergh
View of the Tarrell Valley woodlands
Walking trail

Upper Tarrell Valley, Brecon Beacons 

Head to the Upper Tarrell Valley in the Brecon Beacons this spring and follow a wildlife-rich trail along what used to be the main coach road from the Midlands to Cardiff in the 18th century. There are plenty of veteran trees along this route, hollow, gnarled and full of wildlife. The walk will take you alongside the river Tarell, home to otters, dippers, salmon and sea trout.

Explore the Upper Tarrell Valley
Visitors in the garden at Wallington
Walking trail

Wallington, Northumberland 

Take a refreshing walk along the banks of the river Wansbeck that meanders around the Wallington estate in Northumberland. Cross over bridges and stepping stones, pass through a beautiful walled garden full of spring flowers and explore woods that are busy with wildlife.

Discover flowers and wildlife at the Wallington Estate
Wimpole Estate, Cambridgshire

Wimpole Estate, Cambridgeshire 

Stretch your legs on a number of trails that wind through the Wimpole Estate in Cambridge. Go on a guided walk and learn about the history of the estate - a testament to Elsie Bambridge’s creative flair - or follow your own way through the park into the woods and along quiet tracks bordering farmland.

Find peace and quiet at Wimpole