Bluebell Woods & Walks in Suffolk

This weekend I visited the breathtaking bluebell woods at Haughley Park, Wetherden near Stowmarket. Walking through ancient woods, listening to bird song and admiring stunning displays of bluebells covering the woodland floor,  has to be one of the most uplifting things to do on a sunny spring day in Suffolk.

Most bluebell displays are at their best during the last week of April and first week of May, and for further details of some wonderful bluebell woods in Suffolk to visit this May Bank Holiday read on…

Haughley Park Bluebell SundaysSunday 4th May 2014, 2pm – 5.30pmHaughley Park, Wetherden near Stowmarket, Suffolk, IP14 3JYStunning bluebell woods set amongst the beautiful Haughley Park estate. Enjoy the private gardens, walled kitchen gardens and Rhododendrons in the grounds of a beautiful Grade 1 listed Jacobean manor house.

Delicious homemade cakes (£1), teas and coffee (£1), served in the historic Haughley Park Barn.

Entrance: adults: £4.00 (no concessions), children under 16: free. All gate takings are donated to Wetherden church.

Captain's WoodSchool Road, Sudbourne near Orford, Suffolk, IP12 2BE, map reference: TM421531Suffolk Wildlife Trust managed Captains Wood offers one of the most astonishing displays of bluebells in England.  This peaceful woodland is home to ancient trees, barn owls, bats, deer and many species of wildflower.

Captain’s Wood is open year-round and is a 5-10 minute drive from our Orford, Blaxhall and Snape cottages.

Reydon WoodsWood Lane off B1126 near Wangford, Southwold, Suffolk, IP18 6SL, tel:01502 478788Reydon Woods is one of my favourite places to visit during spring as it offers breathtaking displays of bluebells during the first week of May. Reydon Woods is an ancient woodland and has characteristics that are typical of a medieval coppice wood. This beautiful reserve is managed by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust and is situated less than a 10 minute drive from our Southwold holiday cottages.

RSPB MinsmereMinsmere near Saxmundham, IP17 3BY, map reference: TM473672As at the 28th April 2014, a little birdie has told me that there are a few clusters of bluebells out near to RSPB Minsmere’s new Woodland Walk and the woods closest to the visitor centre. There’s a good variety of other flowers to spot too at the moment plus several seasonal highlights to look out for including booming bitterns, nesting sand martins, early butterflies, singing nightingales and much more.

If you are staying in one of our Suffolk Coast and Heaths cottages during May, RSPB Minsmere still have spaces on their Dawn Chorus Walk at 4am on Saturday 3 May (similar walks also on Saturday 10, Sunday 11 and Saturday 17 May). They also have space on their Magic of Minsmere walk on Sunday 4 May at 9.30.

Bookings essential by phoning: 01728 648281. (rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/m/minsmere)

Cutler’s Wood and Freston Wood near WhersteadFreston, Ipswich, IP9Bluebells flourish during spring time in both of these ancient woods. Freston Wood dates back to medieval times and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). For information on walking trails in this area, view the Wherstead Explorer by clicking here. Freston Wood is a short walk from our Freston self-catering accommodation. 

Groton WoodWest of Kersey near Hadleigh, Hadleigh, Suffolk, IP7 6HDIf you are staying in one of our Kersey or Lavenham holiday cottages this bank holiday weekend, a trip to Groton Woods – a Suffolk Wildlife Trust reserve - will truly raise your spirits with its beautiful bluebell displays. Sections in the northern part of this ancient wood date back to prehistoric times. Groton Woods also has a large number of wild cherry trees that may still be in bloom.

Arger Fen & Spouse's ValeArger Fen, nr Assington, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO8 5BN, map reference: TL 931 353If you’re visiting Sudbury, Long Melford or any of the Suffolk Wool Towns over the early May Bank Holiday, don’t forget to visit Arger Fen for it’s fabulous displays of bluebells. Stroll through this ancient woodland habitat whilst enjoying the spring chorus of willow warbler, whitethroat, black cap and other beautiful woodland birds.

Ickworth ParkThe Rotunda, Horringer, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP29 5QEA stroll through National Trust-managed Ickworth Park during spring is always an uplifting experience!  The early spring time floral displays of daffodils, scilla, tulips and cowslips are possibly now past their best, but there will still be some patches of cheerful bluebells in bloom over the coming week.