Over the weekend we went off is search of bluebells. These pretty flowers bloom from late March to early May and are one of the last flowers to bloom in the woods. Bluebells are a protected species in the UK and we look forward to seeing them each Spring. We heard about a lovely woodland walk through the bluebells on the outskirts of London, so went off to find them.

Bluebells in Old Park Wood, Harefield

Old Park Wood nature reserve in Harefield is a little off the beaten track. It is behind Harefield Hospital and accessed via footpath from Hill End Road. You soon come to a sign marking entry to Old Park Wood which is managed by Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust. The paths are easy to follow and take you a circular route within the boundary of the nature reserve.

We saw the bluebells as soon as we entered the nature reserve. They were throughout the woods and really stunning to see. We were careful to stick to the paths as bluebells do not like to trampled on.

The ancient woodland is thought to have been continuously wooded since Saxon times. At the boundary of the woods, you can see a shallow ditch, flanked by a series of large stumps – these are the remains of hornbeams which were used to form a natural fence to hold livestock.

The walk was quite hilly and there was plenty to see. As well as the beautiful display of bluebells, there were a stream, steeps steps up to a viewing platform which looked out over a lake, as well as yellow archangel, lesser celandine, wood anemone and coralroot bittercress to look out for.

Dogs are welcome on leads and our pup had fun, especially splashing in the stream. We walked for about a mile and a half from where we parked, so not the longest walk, but worth it to see the bluebells. There was even a cheeky geocache hidden on the footpath to Old Park Wood.

Over the last few years we’ve visited sunflower fields, pumpkin patches, poppy fields and wild flower meadows. We’ve also been to a lavender field.