Bluebell Bliss - Best Bluebell walks in Essex Country Parks

In the months of April and May Bluebells bloom and huge swathes of woodland come alive with carpets of beautiful blue flowers. We’ve pulled together the best spots to enjoy these vibrant splashes of colour in the Essex Country Parks, from Brentwood and Belhus to Danbury this spring.

Posted on 3rd April 2024

Belhus Woods Country Park, Aveley

The best place to see Bluebells is near the Visitor Centre. Take the main route from the centre towards the kids play area and then explore further into Running Water Wood or Whitehall Wood by taking the paths on either side. Running Water Wood South is also excellent for violets and other flowers, so definitely worth a visit.

Plan your visit to Belhus Woods Country Park here.

Tom Heenan, Belhus Woods Country Park Ranger, has shared his favourite spots to see bluebells as well as some interesting facts about these spring flowers. Watch the video here.

Danbury Country Park, near Chelmsford

Bluebells
Image Credit: Andrew Adams

Head to Danbury Lakes car park and take the path down towards the icehouse, meander through the woodland paths and head back up towards the fishing lake for the best Bluebells at Danbury Country Park.

Plan your visit to Danbury Country Park.

Thorndon Country Park, Brentwood

For a decent ramble, park at Thorndon North and walk along the bridleway through the forest to Childerditch Wood – the best spot for Bluebells at Thorndon – loop back through the Forest or head to Childerditch pond and back up for a longer circuit.

Plan your visit to Thorndon Country Park.

Weald Country Park, Brentwood

Park at Belvedere (just before the Visitor Centre turning) and head up the hill (with St. Peter’s church on one side) to the historic Belvedere mound and revel in the stunning carpet of Bluebells at Weald.

Plan your visit to Weald Country Park.

Bluebells
Image Credit: Andrew Adams

Did you know? Discover some interesting facts about Bluebells

  • Did you know that over half of the world's populations of Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Bluebells grow in the UK?
  • The Bluebell spends most of the year as a bulb underground.
  • It emerges and flowers in April and May before the tree canopy gets too dense to make the most of the sunlight.
  • They grow well in ancient and dense woodland because of the lack of competing flora.
  • The Bluebell attracts many pollinating insects and ants can help to spread them.
  • Our beautiful British Bluebell is protected, so please be careful where you tread and try admire them from the paths if you can. You can't dig up these flowers, if you do, you could be issued with a hefty fine! (Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981).
  • Our Bluebell has a Spanish cousin, which was introduced by the Victorians as a garden plant. The Spanish Bluebell is much paler and has no scent.