Sussex bluebells are such a joy – at their most brilliant blue in Early May!
Carpeting woodlands with a deep lavender hue, bluebell season is nothing short of magical. A treat from nature that seems to give context to all sorts of everyday concerns.
This is one of so many bluebell walks around The Oaks. Every time I come across a new route, I think it must be the best bluebell walk I’ve ever done:-)
The light scent of bluebells fuzing beautifully with more pungent wild garlic
The truth is, though, that we are totally spoilt by the number of genuinely delightful routes in the local, Sussex woodlands at this very special time of year.
The Sussex woodlands are bursting with bluebells in Spring – many start in pretty villages, with chocolate box cottages and decent pubs.
The Slinfold walk, below, starts either at the Slinfold Caravan site, under 15 minutes away, or extend it back a little by parking in the centre of the village, along the high street, and walking from there. A stroll through the village allows you to enjoy the range of beautiful, picturesque houses, each set in it’s own unique but very well kept garden. At the start, the path, which follows the disused Downs Link way, is a wonderful tunnel of browns and greens – with valleys of gently swaying bluebells on either side, sometimes richly interspersed with wild garlic.
Pristeen, White wild garlic flowers have the same properties as these ‘three cornered leek’: a very pretty flower with a pungent garlic aroma and taste. Useful in cooking but highly invasive, and therefore listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act. This means that it is an offence to introduce this plant to the wild in the UK.
It’s worth looking up recipes for Wild Garlic – an easy to use foraged food, plentiful in woodlands in spring; it is as delicious as the flower is beautiful.
Nettle pesto – add wild garlic alongside garlic cloves for extra fresh zing!
“Extracts of wild garlic leaf have been shown to have strong anti-inflammatory properties, to lower blood pressure, decrease insulin sensitivity, lower cholesterol, inhibit platelet aggregation and increase membrane fluidity, all of which are beneficial in cardiovascular disease.”
In spring, you are likely to walk past vast fields with leisurely ewes and lambs grazing, playing, or just sitting – watching others playing, the way lambs do!
‘ere, ‘ear – what can I hear?!
Our own Spring Lambs – springing with the joys of the season!
Bluebell – nectar for early bees
We are totally surrounded by woodlands bursting with bluebells in Spring.
“According to The People and Nature Survey, led by Natural England, almost nine in 10 adults in England said that being in nature made them very happy… Spending time in nature can actually reduce anxiety and depression, according to the ‘Nature and Mental Health Report’ produced by mental health charity Mind.”
Anna Jones, Cotswold Outdoor:
Walking gives me the chance to see new places, or revisit ones which have special memories. It lets me escape my daily life and share experiences with people I love.
Yes, I agree with others it is lovely to see your part of the world back in blogsphere 🙂 The bluebells are so beautiful and wonderful memories of walking around while taking a million photos.
I was only thinking this morning that I hadn’t seen you around for a while. What a lovely way to come back into the blogosphere. And nettle pesto? Wild garlic pesto I know and love, but nettle pesto definitely sounds worth a punt.
Ah, thank you Margaret! I haven’t gone anywhere – just so busy! But it’s lovely to grab a moment to celebrate nature, and that’s a big part of what the “blogosphere” is to me! Yes, do try nettle pesto – such a great way to enjoy it: I’ve got on top of the four acre nettle patch we inherited when we moved here (😩!) but keep a specific area of it for culinary delights! Xx
The Oaks 
Wow, astonishing spreads of ramsons and bluebells!
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Thank you Daniel – you always add a bit on knowledge and learning to everything!👍🙂
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Yes, I agree with others it is lovely to see your part of the world back in blogsphere 🙂 The bluebells are so beautiful and wonderful memories of walking around while taking a million photos.
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Thank you Suzanne – bluebell carpets are the boat astonishing gift from nature – they arrive so silently but have such a deep and lasting impression!
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They do leave a lasting impression, Emma.
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Great to have you around again, Emma, with a bumper load of bluebell walks. Beautiful!
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Thanks so much Jo – that’s a compliment from the Queen of walks!
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🤗💗
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The Bluebells are so pretty, then throw in some lambs for total cuteness. Wonderful Emma 🙂
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Thank you so much – and I’ve just found a huge grass snake! Not quite the exotic wildlife you have, but pretty awesome anyway! 🙂🌸
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Fabulous. That will give the rodents a run for their money. Tell it to hang around the compost or feed shed 🙂
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It’s having a fine time exploring a big wild grass and wild flower patch – clearly well fed as it’s beautifully long ! 👍😊
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Living up to its name 😀
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A most inviting celebration of spring. May you have many bookings this year
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Thank you so much Derrick – and may you have a Happy Year in your garden, too!
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🙂
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I was only thinking this morning that I hadn’t seen you around for a while. What a lovely way to come back into the blogosphere. And nettle pesto? Wild garlic pesto I know and love, but nettle pesto definitely sounds worth a punt.
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Ah, thank you Margaret! I haven’t gone anywhere – just so busy! But it’s lovely to grab a moment to celebrate nature, and that’s a big part of what the “blogosphere” is to me! Yes, do try nettle pesto – such a great way to enjoy it: I’ve got on top of the four acre nettle patch we inherited when we moved here (😩!) but keep a specific area of it for culinary delights! Xx
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