SPRING is in full swing and beautiful wildflowers are beginning to bloom in England.
This means that you might also be able to see carpets of bluebells in woodland and countryside areas.
Bluebells usually flower from mid-April to late May depending on the weather.
The flower itself is slow to establish and it can take 5-7 years for them to develop from a seed to a flower.
The bluebell is also protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981), meaning it’s prohibited to dig up the plant or bulb in the countryside is prohibited and landowners are prohibited from removing bluebells from their land to sell.
If you want to visit a lush bluebell meadow in Lancashire, here are five of the best:
1. Rufford Old Hall, Ormskirk
According to the National Trust site, this is said to be one of the best places in Lancashire to see wild bluebells in bloom.
Thousands of bluebells bloom here in mid-April.
Posting to their Facebook page, they wrote:” Take a stroll through a sea of blue and experience this magical once-a-year display.
“Please remember to keep to the paths so that we can protect these special flowers, as they can take a long time to recover when they're stepped on.”
Once you have finished admiring the flowers, you can explore the grounds and tea room of the hall which are open Monday-Friday.
However, you will need to book in advance.
2. Aughton Woods, Aughton
(Photo:© Copyright Karl and Ali/ Geograph)
Bluebells aren’t the only flower to grow in these woods- plenty of other wildflowers bloom too.
Primroses, opposite-leaved golden-saxifrage, wood speedwell and foxgloves all grow in Aughton Woods.
Various fern species and wood fescue have also found their home here.
Access to the woods is now limited to the western end of the reserve.
There is a short loop up into the woods and through Lawson's Meadow which is accessible from the Lune Valley Ramble running along part of the southern boundary.
3. Brockholes Nature Reserve, Preston
(Facebook/ @brockholes )
Blue carpets of bluebells spring up in Boilton Wood
The nature reserve itself is a great family day out; you can visit the floating Visitor Village with a restaurant, shops and Welcome Centre or explore they family-friendly hides, walking trails and play area.
4. Warton Crag, Carnforth
(Photo: © Copyright Karl and Ali and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.)
Potts Wood and Strickland Wood is home to bluebells among other wild flowers; wood anemone, primrose, orchids, violets and pignuts can also be found in bloom.
It’s also colonised by rare butterflies- so keep an eye out for them if you ever pay a visit.
5. Moor Piece Nature Reserve, Ribble Valley
(Photo: © Copyright Ian Greig and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence)
If you want to spot some bluebells, the woodland areas of Moor Piece should be the first area you check.
Sphagnum moss, bog asphodel and even cranberry thrive here too.
It’s also a popular spot for birdwatchers who will relish the chance to spot more than 80 species at the reserved.
Sphagnum moss, bog asphodel and even cranberry still thrive amidst the trees and tussocks of purple moor-grass.
Do you have any photos of wildflowers blooming in Lancashire? Send them to: sarah.mcgee@newsquest.co.uk.
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