There are some amazing bluebell woods throughout the county – and some of our National Trust gardens house the best – where carpets of these pretty flowers dominate the vista.
Bluebells burst into bloom in April and May, although can flower even earlier if the weather is warm enough.

National Trust naturalist Matthew Oates said: “Bluebells start to grow in January with a sole purpose to flower before other woodland plants.

“The true beauty of our bluebells – the intense blue colour, the delicate scent, the view – makes them an essential and special element to our springtime experience.”

Catch them at three National Trust properties across the county...

EMMETTS GARDEN

English bluebells cover an acre of the woodland dell at the bottom of the south garden, which overlooks the Bough Beech Reservoir, near Ide Hill. You can find your own little corner in the garden to enjoy the flowers and, if you’re looking for a spot to take a photo, head for the bottom of the woodland dell looking up the bank towards the bluebells. Emmetts also has more than 3,000 wild red, pink and black tulips, daffodils and rhododendrons, flowering beneath 26 cherry trees.

SISSINGHURST CASTLE GARDEN

There are 126m individual bluebells in the garden – give or take one or two! See them to the far left and right of the property’s woods which also have wild flowers from wooden anemones, red campion greater stitchwort and cuckoo flower.

The castle’s senior ranger Peter Dear said: “We’re starting to see an increase of bluebells in an area of woodland used as swine pasture over 200 years ago. This is exciting for us as once bluebells disappear it can take a long time for them to return.”

Join a bluebell and wildflower walk on Saturday, April 30 and Monday, May 2 at 2pm, led by a ranger. Tickets £12.50, which include a cream tea. To book, call 0844 249 1895.

HOLE PARK GARDENS

They know all about bluebells at Hole Park Gardens in Rolvenden. The gardens have a bluebell barometer on their website, so you can make sure you pay a visit when they are at their most impressive.

The 15-acre privately-owned gardens, set in more than 200 acres of parkland, are now open for the spring, with peak bluebell time expected to be mid-April.

Check out the bluebell barometer at holepark.com

JOIN THE BLUEBELL WALK

Help celebrate a quarter of a century of compassionate care to people from Kent by taking part in a leisurely bluebell walk. The Heart of Kent Hospice’s Bluebell Walk will be on Sunday, May 1 and starts from Harrietsham village hall between 8.30am and 10.30am.

The sponsored walk takes you through the North Downs and Kent countryside. This year is extra special, as it marks the Aylesford hospice’s 25th anniversary. There’s also crafts, cake and food stalls and you can take your own picnic for the new picnic pit-stop at mile five.

There’s also a fun facts quiz sheet which you can complete through the woodlands, which you pick up at the start – and pick up a prize for finishing at the pit-stop.

Early bird registration finishes on Sunday, April 17. Visit hokh.org or call 01622 790195.