You may think you need to head further afield to see beautiful bluebells, but from mid-April to May you can see the stunning wildflowers here on your doorstep in Basingstoke and Deane thanks to a number of local conservation groups and corporate volunteers who help to manage our ancient woodlands.

Enjoy them with respect

Bluebells are a fantastic sight to see and a sign that spring is here but when exploring please do mind your feet. Bluebells thrive in ancient woodland or semi-natural woodland but can take years to recover from the damage caused by trampling. Be mindful of where you are taking that perfect photo or selfie, stick to the designated paths while exploring and we will all be able to enjoy the dazzling blue display in our woodlands for years to come.

Did you know that the bluebell is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981? This means digging up the plant or bulb in the countryside is prohibited and landowners are prohibited from removing bluebells from their land to sell.

Explore local bluebells

The Vyne, National Trust
A firm favourite has to be the Woodland Walk through The Vyne National Trust, Morgaston Woods. The gentle 1.4 mile trail should take between 30 minutes to an hour to complete. 

The Vyne has also put together some great information on how to protect the bluebells.

Great Binfields Copse, Lychpit
Parts of the woodland at Great Binfields Copse in Lychpit is over 400 years old, making it a great place for walking and spotting wildlife. In spring the woodland floor is covered with bluebells, growing beneath the beech trees.

Why not take the self-guided walk through the woods to spot the carpet of blue. Not only are the woods home to wildflowers and wildlife you will also find a number of wooden, steel and willow artworks to enjoy. 

St John’s Copse, Cow Down Copse and Bull's Bushes, Oakley
St John’s Copse and Cow Down Copse in Oakley both have beautiful displays of bluebells. Take a circular walk around Oakley and Deane through Bull’s Bushes Copse where you will also find the haze of violet.

Long Copse and Petty's Brook, Chineham
Did you know that Chineham Woods is a Local Nature Reserve and a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation?  Chineham Woods comprises of Long Copse, Great Sorrell’s Copse, Guinea Copse and Tollhouse Copse.

Enjoy the Chineham Nature Walk which starts at Petty's Brook off Hanmore Road. Follow the walk along Petty’s Brook and you will arrive at a play area off Petty’s Brook Road by Guinea Copse. In spring, this ancient woodland floor is a mass of bluebells.

Why not extend your Chineham Nature Walk to take in Long Copse? Head south at Point 13 to Mattock Way and you will find another area to explore and view bluebells.

Pamber Forest
Step into a timeless world of ancient woodland at Pamber Forest. This vibrant ecosystem bursts with life throughout the year, including carpets of bluebells with the traditional English woodland spring flower-show.

Access to the forest is completely free. Leave your car at the gravel parking area off Impstone Road (where the road bears right) and set out on your exploration. Pamber Forest welcomes well-behaved dogs on leads, and a network of surfaced paths makes it easy to navigate. With a marked two-mile trail available, it's perfect for a leisurely stroll or a more adventurous hike.

Protecting our bluebells

Local volunteers support Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to coppice many of our ancient woodlands in order to support the species that rely on them, including many rare plant species, butterflies, birds, bats and small mammals. Bluebells and other woodland plant species thrive in ancient woodlands which are coppiced, as they require adequate light levels in order to bloom early in spring, before the mature trees grow all their leaves and the canopies block out the light.

If you are interested in finding out more, there are ways in which we can all help to reduce the effects of habitat loss and climate change, through better awareness, education and conservation volunteering.

Blog created April 2024