We’re edging closer to Spring. Which means one thing for landscape photographers – there is a large blue (maybe purplish?) haze teetering ever closer on the horizon… Yes – the bluebells are coming, so get your tripods ready. The question local photographers are asking is where are the best bluebell locations in and around Bristol and Somerset?
April will start seeing them arrive, however the density of them varies each year due to the changing weather, so there is no definitive best time. I find it’s actually better to check each location on Instagram or Facebook for latest photos and go once they hit a peak. Some spots are actually at their best in May, but again keep an eye on how they look.
If you’re looking for prints of bluebells, why not take a look at this one or this one…
Don’t leave an impression
Before I go into the best local locations, I just need to say one thing (because all those other Top 10 Best Bluebell Blah Blah articles by newspapers, bloggers etc won’t): don’t be one of those morons who will sit their butt down in the middle of them, squishing them. Bluebells are a protected species. They cannot be picked and taken away. It can take 5-7 years for the plant to grow from a bulb – which means if they get trampled, flattened or stomped on, they won’t be coming back anytime soon, if at all.
I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been to locations (including many below) to find giant human-shaped patches, or people mid-shoot sat in the middle. There are always small footpaths that weave through the woods, and if there aren’t – find another angle! It’s not difficult. You can make it look like you’re sat in the middle of them by using a longer focal length – place your subject along one of those narrow paths, then use a longer focal length further away and lower to the ground.
Bluebells are at their very best when everyone gets to enjoy them – enough damage has been done to the countryside by the scourge of humanity, so let’s try and leave this bit alone to thrive.
Hang on you say, why provide a list of locations if you don’t want people to ruin them all? Why not keep it secret? A good point – however I consider the majority of people to respect the environment and if [insert news outlet] and [insert other news outlet] and [blog post] and [other blog post] won’t tell people to be considerate, then at least I will. Honestly, why won’t the clickbait news outlets inform people a little better, rather than just providing a list? Landscape photographers like to show off the beauty of locations, so I would hope they leave places as they find them.
Want to sit on them anyway? Enjoy your tick bites. Tick bites? Oh you bet – deer are often around the woodland you’ll find bluebells, which means so are their bitey crawly friends. You won’t even notice them for a few days until you feel something itchy.
Rant over. Let’s get on with the good stuff.
So where are the best bluebell locations near Bristol?
The best bluebell locations in and around Bristol and Somerset
Prior’s Wood, Portbury
This is the big obvious one for anyone local. It’s an absolute monster of a location. Situated near Portbury, the woods here are covered in carpets of bluebells every spring. Parking is a little tricky as there is no carpark, so it’s on-street parking only. Due to the popularity of the location, you need to get there before the crowds, so arrive early. I find that it’s best as a sunset spot – the light reaches more of the woods then, but obviously this means more people (boo).
Leigh Woods
Just over Clifton Suspension Bridge, you’ll find Leigh Woods, the vast woodland. Blubells will appear in the Paradise Bottom section. It’s a great walk to get there.
Abbots Pool
Often overlooked, this is just further along from Leigh Woods, just outside the city. You won’t find vast carpets of them here, however you will find them.
Ashton Hill Plantation, Failand
This is another overlooked location. You will find carpets of bluebells here, however they are sectioned off, so there is no way of walking amongst them – this will be due to the aforementioned bovine stompers ruining it for everyone. It’s a fantastic walk there – you’ll find Big Tree Grove nearby, with gigantic redwoods. Not an expected find next to Bristol!
Wrington Hill and Goblin Combe
There is no question for me which is the best local bluebell location. Just round the corner from the airport, Wrington Hill is simply breathtaking – you’ll find carpets of them here, and as the road passes through this section, you can park immediately next to them. It was a carefully guarded secret however thanks to social media this has probably overtaken Prior’s Wood as the go-to bluebell spot locally. Goblin Combe is just round the corner and you’ll find bluebells everywhere.
Arnos Vale Cemetery, Bath Road, Bristol
With 45 acres to explore, there are lots of spots here to find bluebells. You won’t get carpets of them, however you will get beautiful light. I’ve switched to a macro lens whilst photographing them here. You’ll smell wild garlic as well.
Ashton Court Estate, Bristol
Halfway between the mansion house and the red deer park, there is a wooded section – in here you’ll often find bluebells. Ashton Court is vast, so have a wander in the woods behind the fallow deer section and you’ll also find bluebells there.
Blaise Castle, Bristol
A 650 acre parkland (with a pretend castle!) has plenty of spots to find bluebells. Head up from the carpark towards the higher ground, where you’ll also find the castle, but follow the route down around the opposite side.
Have I missed any brilliant locations? Let me know in the comments below!
If you use this guide, please don’t forget to give me a shout out when you post any photos, I’d love to see what you capture!
Wild garlic
Where you get bluebells, you’ll get wild garlic – and then a few weeks later, the wild garlic flowers, making for spectacular photos. So don’t think you’re finished once the bluebells are!
Have I missed any great locations? Let me know!