Sunday 17 May 2015

Bluebells Galore

I love the sight of a blue carpet of bluebells, so knowing they were in season we set out to find where the best display was this year.

First stop was Saltram, our nearest National Trust property.  In the gardens around the House wild garlic and white bells were more prolific, although there were some bluebells that contrasted the white of the other flowers.



In the grounds between the House and Stag Lodge there were more bluebells.  Again there were white patches of wild garlic.











A few days later we travelled to Lanhydrock House, another National Trust property, renowned for the bluebells in the woods in the Estate.  There were plenty of bluebells to be seen, but the best displays were in woodland either side of the the Reception area.  It is great that this can be seen by anyone visiting this National Trust property, without them having to walk far.




Buckland Abbey was the next place we visited.  Previous years there have been wonderful displays along the walks around the estate.  We were somewhat disappointed as the bluebells were not so prolific this year and so did not give the same sense of a carpet.  However there was one patch that was good - just before you cross fields towards the end of the Red Walk.


As we had a whole day free from Buckland Abbey we drove onto Burrator Reservoir.  We had never been there during bluebell flowering time, but last year I noticed lots of bluebell plants and thought there might be a good display.  We were not disappointed, the bluebells were spectacular and it was lovely walking by the blue waters of the reservoir with a carpet of blue on the other side of the path.
At times the bluebells were right by the waters edge.




We walked along by the reservoir but on the way back came back along the road.  Even on this easy walk you could see bluebells but they were not as spectacular as those inside the woodland.

Photo taken from the road around Burrator