Not having visited our favourite bluebell wood for a few years now, I took the opportunity yesterday when our daughter was with us, to share with her somewhere that is very special to us. Just half an hours drive away is Blackbury Camp, an Iron age Settlement dating back to 400BC.
At the entrance to Blackbury Camp.
I’ll let the photos speak for themselves.
If you like blue flowers, then this is the place for you!
Our Daughter enjoying the bluebells as much as I did.
Nice to see lots of bird boxes on the trees.
Bluebells and I think Stitchwort have managed to seed themselves into the moss on the side of the tree trunk.
The information about the outer Barbican is fascinating, also how they repelled invaders coming from land or sea, which is only a couple of miles away, with round beach stones fired from slings.
A last glimpse before we left.
I think the bluebells are early this year as this time the beech trees were mostly still bare. Usually their new acid green leaves contrast so well with the intense blue of all the flowers, but it was still wonderful to see thousands or even millions of stunning bluebells in such an historic setting. Places like this need protecting as they are so special, fortunately British Heritage is looking after this site so it should be safe for years to come, maybe for another 2500 yrs!
It’s not always easy to photograph bluebells and get that wonderful blue mist effect. These are beautiful Pauline. Glad you were both able to share the site and so nice to share the bluebells with us. Thank you.
It really is a lovely place to visit Rosemarie, beautiful for the bluebells and fascinating for the history.
Oh, beautiful! Are these English and not Spanish Bluebells?
Every single one is an English bluebell Jason, wonderful!
Pauline, what a fantastic spot. Glad you and your daughter had a chance to experience this together.
We had a wonderful time together there Susie, before going to visit the undergardener in hospital.
It really was beautiful Mum, thank you for sharing it with me xx
It was really special being able to share it with you Rachael, it meant a lot. xx
Simply wonderful, Pauline. Thanks so much for sharing.
It is isn’t it Cathy, wonderful what Nature can do when left alone.
What a wonderful sight; I love bluebells and have missed seeing them this year (we usually visited my MIL for her birthday, which would have been at the end of this week) which leads me to think that the bluebells aren’t particularly early but maybe the beech trees are late into leaf. I’m so sorry to read that the under gardener is back in hospital; my thoughts are with you.
Looking at the beech trees in leaf in the next village Christina, I think you may be right, the ones at Blackbury Camp must be late for some reason.
Thank you for your concern, we will be getting the results of a scan this afternoon.
Lovely photos Pauline. I shall not be able to walk through bluebells this year as I’m recovering from foot surgery. Hope your undergardener is Ok. Mine is working extra hard this year!
So sorry to hear about your foot Rachel, I hope it doesn’t take too long to recover.
The undergardener unfortunately has been ill for a while, but was taken into hospital a couple of weeks ago with complications, thanks for your concern.
What a wonderful, magical place, just amazing. And all English! You did really well to capture the atmosphere in the photos. Really hoping things go well today for the undergardener. Best wishes to you both.
Yes, I love it Denise, for the history as much as the bluebells. It is amazing to think that there was a settlement there so long ago.
Still waiting for the results of the scan, thank you for thinking of us.
Hi Pauline,
What a beautiful place and even more special because of its history. The word that came to my mind is enchanting….absolutely enchanting.
I agree Sally, it is an amazing place. Looking at all the earthworks and imagining them being made with just hand tools, shows that our ancestors were a determined lot! I agree, it is enchanting, each time I go, I get lost in the history of the place. Of course there wouldn’t have been any trees then, they would have wanted a clear view to land and sea, which isn’t far away, to see if they were going to be attacked. The old trees are beautiful though and add a very special dimension to it all.
What a joy to see the native bluebell in such a beautiful setting. Fantastic pictures, lucky you getting to visit.xxx
It is a really lovely place Dina, we are so lucky to have it close by.
I think it must have been special to share this with your daughter – bluebell woods are quite magical, aren’t they? Your photos are lovely, reminding me what it is like to walk through a sea of blue. Best wishes to the undergardener.
They certainly are magical Cathy, there’s nothing quite like it. Many thanks for your good wishes.
Let’s hope it’s safe for years and years and years. I’ve never seen bluebells in the wild and those scenes you captured are perfect. And such an old historic site, extra bonus.
I agree Catmint, I hope it is there for generations to come. Bluebell woods are very special places and I think people are now realising, thank goodness, that they need protection.
I don’t think there’s anyone out there who doesn’t love bluebells, Pauline. What a sight, I’d give so much to be able to stroll through that woodland! Thanks for sharing these magical pictures 🙂
I think it maybe goes back to our childhood and wandering through the bluebells when we were little. It certainly brought back happy memories for me.
How lovely to see swathes of English bluebells in such a peaceful and historic setting. The few amount of bluebells (also English!) at the allotment wood have been out for a couple of weeks now so I think everything is a bit early this year – there’s even been Centaurea montana flowering at the plots for several weeks while there are still a few daffodils in flower! What a mixed up spring – but I’m not complaining!
Spring certainly does seem mixed up Caro, there are flowers flowering together that normally never meet! My last Narcissus have just started flowering N. Pheasant’s Eye, I always look forward to their beautiful perfume.
The bluebells in the garden here are increasing, but they look pathetic compared with the ones at Blackbury Camp!
We have been to Coton Manor in Northants this week. Just heavenly. Off to Hodsock Priory next weekend. The bluebells are lasting a long time because of the dip in temperatures. Thanks for sharing your lovely photos. All the best. Karen
There’s nothing quite like a bluebell wood Karen, lucky you to have a choice, I’m sure the ones at Hodstock Priory will be beautiful.
I hadn’t realised the Undergardener was back in hospital – so sorry to hear that Pauline. I hope the results of the scan prove to be good news. Did you show him the photos of these wonderful bluebells? The historic nature of the site makes them even more wonderful
Unfortunately I had to rush him into hospital 3 weeks ago. We will get the results of the scan today, thank you so much for your thoughts.
Yes, I took my camera in the next day, after our visit to the bluebells, he certainly enjoyed seeing all our photos of a very special place.