They’re a delight for the senses, bringing springtime sights and scents. You can spot bluebells across the county from this time of year through to May.

The National Trust is an important organisation for bluebell conservation, as a quarter of its woodland is ancient or semi-natural. Bluebells flourish at its sites across Kent. Here are some of the best spots to catch them:

IGHTHAM MOTE

Swathes of bluebells can be found in the 546-acre estate surrounding this National Trust property near Borough Green. The 14th-century moated manor house is always a delight to walk through but if you crave fresh air, make sure you take your walking boots to explore Scathes Wood. There's everything from bluebells, campion and rosebay willowherb, to a variety of butterflies and birds. Spot trees like oak, sweet chestnut and beech, and keep an eye open for animals such as weasels, badgers and sika deer.

Normal admission fees apply. To book call 01732 810378, extension 100, or go to nationaltrust.org.uk/ightham-mote

EMMETTS GARDEN

From mid April to mid May, the floors of the woodland will be carpeted in blue as the bluebells bloom. The woods are a Site of Special Scientific Interest, thanks to the native bluebells growing there, so they have special protected status. Pop into the discovery cabin to uncover bluebell themed activities including colouring in and making a bluebell. The team at Ide Hill, Sevenoaks, have also planted 3,500 daffodil bulbs for this season. Entry costs are £11 and £5.50 for kids. For details go to nationaltrust.org.uk/emmetts-garden

SISSINGHURST CASTLE GARDEN

Venture into the woodland and be rewarded by some 126 million individual bluebells!

If you need more, there’s also wild flowers from wood anemones to cuckoo flower, red campion and greater stitchwort, all nestling under the trees. In the garden, made famous by its creators Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson, the wall flowers, tulips and narcissus should be in bloom in the cottage garden and along lime walk.

Great Comp Gardens' Spring Fling with a special appearance by "Kevin"

HOLE PARK GARDENS

The Rolvenden site is not a National Trust property, but has bluebells aplenty which you can see from now until Saturday, June 10, alongside magnolia, wisteria and rhododendrons, between 11am and 6pm.

The park’s website also features a bluebell barometer to show you when they are in flower. Entry is £7 and £1 for children. For details go to holepark.com

DID YOU KNOW?

Half of the world’s population of bluebells are in the UK. British bluebells, however, are currently at risk of disappearing as a result of hybridizing with the scentless, non-native Spanish bluebell which were often planted in gardens.

The native British species, which doesn’t flourish in the average garden, can be identified by its strong, sweet scent and intense violet-blue colour, and has flowers that droop down like a bell along one side of the stem.

The bluebell is linked to folklore: ringing the “bells” would summon fairies, wandering into a bluebell ring could put the walker under fairy enchantment leading to death, and turning a bluebell inside out without tearing could result in winning the heart of a loved one.

The bluebell has several local nicknames, including auld man’s bell, culverkeys, ring-o’-bells, wood bells and wild hyacinth.

LOOKING AHEAD

Sissinghurst Castle: There will be bluebell and wildflower walks on Monday, April 24 and Saturday, April 29, at 2pm. There will be a guided tour of the estate with a ranger, the chance to see and smell bluebells and other flowers, topped off with a cream tea. Each event costs £15. To book call 08442491895 or visit nationaltrust.org.uk/sissinghurst-castle-garden

Knole, Sevenoaks: There will be a family walk to welcome spring and the bluebells at Knole on Saturday, May 6 and Sunday, May 7, at 2pm and 5pm. The six-mile guided walk goes through Knole’s 1,000-acre ancient deer park to One Tree Hill, with a carpet of bluebells. There will be views to enjoy before the walk back through bluebell woods. It is free, although there is a suggested donation of £2. For details go to nationaltrust.org.uk/knole