Bluebells around Plymouth

 Bluebells are one of my favourite flowers and I love the display they put on when they are in full bloom.  This year I started to see them at the beginning of April, which seemed early, but we have had some warm weather this spring.  The first time I saw them was on 7 April beside  the River Plym on the walk from Longbridge Road to Plym Bridge.  There were only a few of them, but there was a promise of much more to come.

On 13 April we walked through the woods at the Stag Lodge end of Saltram Estate and on south facing banks the bluebells were out.

We returned to the walk along the River Plym on 24 April and there were a lot more of them about, but still they were not at their best.

On April 26 we went to Lanhydrock and there were lots in the woods leading up from River Fowey to Lanhydrock House.  The ones on the side of the upper path were looking better than those lower down.

On 29 April we went to the higher woods of Plym Bridge and parked at Wood Park.  We walked to the right and followed the path down to Plymbridge Road.  There were lots of bluebells in the woods at the side of the path. I even saw a white bluebell, which I gather is quite rare. After we returned to our car we took the path to the left of Wood Park but the bluebells were not so good on this side of the wood.

On 1 May we caught the ferry to Cremyll then walked to Mount Edgecombe House then through the woods to Milbrook.  There were lots of bluebells here  giving a wonderful display.

I had read that one of the best displays of bluebells in Devon was on the East Hill circular walk from Okehampton.  On 3 May we caught the bus to Tavistock then changed on the bus to Okehampton Railway Station.  From there we followed the walk up to East Hill as described in Walks from the Railway. To begin with  it was a flat section through Tramlines Wood,  but after going under the viaduct it was a steep hill going up to East Hill.  There were some bluebells, but not enough of a display to make the climb feel worthwhile.  The views from the top were magnificent though.

After we had wondered down back to the railway station and stopped for lunch we walked along the Granite Way.  There were bluebells in the woods at the side, although we did not walk as far as Meldon Viaduct where the main bluebells are.

On 6 May we went to Buckland Abbey and followed the Red Route around the estate through woods where there were plenty of bluebells.  I don't think the bluebells are looking as good as usual this year and they were not that special.

On 8 May we caught the bus to Yelverton and walked along the Drakes Trail to Grenofen.  There was a good display of bluebells in the woods at the side of the path.

I thought the bluebells would be finished when I went for a walk around Burrator on 16 May, but although some were past their best there were still plenty brightening the paths.

Roborough Down

 Just outside of Plymouth and on the edge of Dartmoor is Roborough Down.  I used to just drive past it on to other places, but recently I have stopped and walked across it.  In late summer it is resplendent with heather.  Today I did not expect to see anything more than the fantastic views to Dartmoor and some Dartmoor ponies.  Both were there, but I was pleasantly surprised to notice so many flowers.  Most were close to the ground and small, but they were all lovely.  

Mount Edgecombe (23 April)

 Having a free morning we caught the ferry from Admirals Hard to Cremyll and walked around the country park.   I wondered if the bluebells were all out, but I have seen a better display in the past, so think they are not fully out yet.  The white flowers similar to bluebells were giving a white carpet, I hope they are not crowding the bluebells out.

We walked to the top of the park and then along the camelia trail.  On the way there were a couple of trees full of blossom and we also a pig and 10 piglets.  There were still quite a lot of camelias out.

Lost Gardens of Heligan (20 April)

We caught the train to St Austell then the bus to the Lost Gardens.  The journey itself is worthwhile, crossing the Tamar is memorable and the road to Heligan from St Austell follows the coast at one point. Usually you just get glimpses of the sea as you drive along, but today we were following a cyclist so going slower and I could capture the scene.

At the Lost Gardens there was a blossom trail to follow so we started walking around the upper gardens admiring all the camelias, rhododendrons, and other flowering trees.  Some of the rhododendrons had grown into trees.

In one of the walled gardens there was a bed of brightly coloured anenomies.

I particularly wanted to see the bluebells so after lunch we waled down the sunken lane to to the bottom lake.  There were lots of bluebells on the way down, but I think the display will be better in a week or two.

There were lots of other plants and flowers to admire in different parts of the gardens. In fact everywhere you looked there was something beautiful.