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

Buckland Abbey Estate

During the week there was a bluebell walk around the estate at Buckland Abbey.  We did not go on this, but thought we would explore the estate surrounding Buckland Abbey today and see the bluebells for ourselves.  At the reception we were given a map of walks around the estate and were told that there were some bluebells out on the south facing slopes between the red and blue walk.  We therefore decided to do the longer blue walk that goes around the edge of the estate, following the river Tavy for most of the time.  It was suppose to be 3 miles long.

As we walked up the Beech Avenue there were lovely views out to the River Tamar.  We then crossed a field full of sheep with young lambs.  When we entered The Great Wood we were disappointed that there were no bluebells out as in the first part of this wood there are masses of bluebells.  We continued on the blue walk and it was quite some time before we saw any bluebells.      From the distance we saw a blue haze on the wooded banks above the path on the south side.  Although some plants had started to flower not all the individual flowers had opened and in between the plants were some not out at all.

As we approached Buckland Abbey we could see there were some lovely magnolias, camelias and rhododendrons out in the gardens.  So after we were refreshed by tea and cake in the cafe we walked around the Cider House Garden and then the gardens around the Abbey.

Fritillia in Cider House Garden

Magnolia and azelias in Cider House Garden

Cider House Garden

Azelias in Cider House Garden

Rhodendrons and Azelias

Although we were disappointed not to see more bluebells it was a very pleasant walk and the gardens were lovely.

Once home I compared my photos with previous ones I have taken at bluebell time at Buckland Abbey and was interested to see that in 2011 that the bluebells were all out on 3 May.  See http://exploringplymouthsurroundings.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/bluebells-at-buckland-abbey.html

Buckland Abbey and Lopwell

It was a dull day with heavy showers forecast, so we did not want to go far so we chose to go to Buckland Abbey, which is just outside of Plymouth in the Tamar Valley and on the edge of Dartmoor.

Just as we arrived it started to rain, so we ran down to the reception ar a and were disappointed to see that the Abbey itself did not open until 11.30am.  We did not want to wander around the gardens in the rain if we could help it so we went into the shops in the courtyard.  As well as the National Trust shop there was a gallery with lots of lovely paintings  and embroidered pictures from Richard and Anne Woodgate. (www.annewoodgate.com  www.richardwoodgate.com.) There was also a second hand bookshop  and a garden room giving details of plants that could be seen in the garden.

By the time we had browsed through these rooms in the stables the rain had stopped so we were able to go into the gardens.  There was little to see in the Kitchen garden but the Cider House Garden and Wild Garden had plenty of daffodils and other spring flowers out.  

From the gardens we could see out over the fields where the sheep were grazing.  There were banks of daffodils flowering there.  It would have been good to walk around the estate to see what flowers we could see but the ground was too wet and the weather too threatening.

We often visit Buckland Abbey to walk through the woods but we have not been inside the Abbey for many years.  As we weren't able to go walking today we decided to spend the time exploring  inside.  Just inside the Abbey we watched a video that gave a brief history of the Abbey and told about the life of Sir Francis Drake.  We then walked around and were impressed with how well everything was laid out, with clear, brief explanations.  We could see that it would be a interesting place for children to visit.  The room guides were very friendly and knowledgeable.  We found the explanation about the ceiling in the dining room particularly interesting.

After some delicious soup in the restaurant we headed on to Lopwell Dam.  There were lots of wild daffodils in the hedges and in some of the fields which made it a pretty drive.  Once at Lopwell we could see that the water was coming fast over the weir.  It was a pity is was such a grey day or we could have crossed the river and walked in the nature reserve or towards Bere Alston.  Instead we sat in the restaurant and watched the river and the rain and hail!

Buckland Abbey in Spring

The National Trust have recently bought the Cider House which is next to Buckland Abbey.  I was keen to see their garden so as soon as it was open to the public we went to visit.

The kitchen garden was looking a bit bare but the gardens around the Cider House showed a lot of promise.  There were lots of daffodils around as well as other spring flowers - primroses, camelias and others I could not identify.

 I particularly liked the Wild Garden and the wrought iron gate linking this to the more formal garden.  The sun was shining so brightly it was difficult to photograph this as the light was bouncing off the shining metal.

Having walked around the gardens we decided to walk along the river walk.  Again there were lots of daffodils at the side of the path.

When the path started to climb upwards through woods we decided to turn back.  We were on the 'blue route' which is the only designated walk around Buckland Abbey that we have not done  so far, but we decided we would definitely be back soon to complete it and see  the Cider Garden at different times of the year.