Woodland carpets of brilliant blue
Gillian Molesworth shares her nine top places to enjoy spring bluebells in bloom
WE’RE approaching that time of year when our woodlands are enhanced by a haze of beautiful bluebells, one of the nation’s best-loved wildflowers.
Covering fields and woodlands across Cornwall, these delicate carpets of colour captivate photographers and nature enthusiasts year after year.
The season is short – lasting from April until May – so visits need to be planned and Covid restrictions 1 checked in advance for various sites. Godolphin Estate, near Helston. In April and May, the 16th century gardens of this historic home put on one of the best bluebell displays, with a footpath allowing easy viewing access. There is also a barefoot trail for young explorers, and a list of ‘50 things to try before you’re 11 3/4’ from the National Trust.
The house, outbuildings and shop are closed, but you can get a takeaway from the Piggery tea rooms, and the gardens and wider estate are open, including, the toilets. These you can visit without booking a ticket. 2 Dogs welcome.
The Lost Gardens of Heligan, St Austell. Twenty-six years ago, Heligan’s historic gardens were unknown and unseen; lost under a tangle of weeds. It was only the chance discovery of a door in the ruins that led to the restoration of this once great estate.
Today, The Lost Gardens have been put back where they belong: in pride of place among the finest gardens in Cornwall.
There’s no better time to visit than this spring when the woodland walk 3 area of the garden is in full bloom. Lanhydrock, near Bodmin. This magnificent late Victorian country house with garden and wooded estate is one of the jewels in the
National Trust’s crown in Cornwall.
It’s not just the house at Lanhydrock that’s listed, the gardens are as well.
You can find out more about how the gardens developed from the 17th century onwards in the display in the higher garden’s thatched cottage, or just ask one of the friendly gardeners. 4
Trebah Garden, near Mawnan Smith. This sub-tropical paradise with a stunning coastal backdrop is open to pre-booked visitors from Saturday through to Wednesday, and you can explore this beautiful Cornish valley garden with over four miles of footpath, fringed with canopies with exotic flowering trees and shrubs. These tunnels of colour lead down to a secluded beach on the Helford River.
Until everything re-opens as part of the Government’s roadmap, you can enjoy the garden, cafe (serving food and drink outside on the terrace only), gift shop, plant sales and 5 boathouse beach cafe.
Enys Gardens, Penryn. Enys Gardens is a private garden on the outskirts of Penryn – known for its spectacular display of bluebells in May.
The estate consists of just under 1,000 acres of farmland and woodland (165 acres) covering the core area and some outlying areas.
At one time the Enys family owned lands in Camborne, as well as St Agnes and Gerrans and Portscatho but today the holding of land is much reduced.
As well as farm houses the estate owns a few cottages which would have been let to farm and estate workers.
See their website for details about their bluebell festival, from May 1 to 9, including how to book tickets.
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Trelissick Gardens, near Feock. A perfect National Trust garden to visit in summer. As the bright colours of spring blooms give way to lush greenery the garden becomes the ideal place to relax.
Whether you are basking in the sun on the lawns or exploring the cooler leafy retreats, the garden has something for everyone to appreciate. 7
Bonython Estate, Helston. Situated on England’s southernmost point, Lizard peninsula, Bonython Estate offers excitement and surprises, with colour and interest in all seasons. Remodelled in recent years to include a contemporary water feature behind the delightful Georgian house, stroll through an 18th century Walled Garden with colour-themed herbaceous borders, a traditional Potager Garden and an orchard of Cornish variety apple trees, on through parkland to a series of small lakes with a stream cascade 8 in a sheltered valley.
Tehidy Woods, near Redruth. Tehidy is the largest area of woodland in west Cornwall.
Now managed as a country park, Tehidy has over nine miles of paths and 250 acres of peaceful woods and lakes to explore, together with a cafe and a picnic area. A great 9 place to get out with the family. Penrose Woods, Helston. Penrose offers a wealth of long and short walks in sheltered woodlands and along exposed sections of coasts.
Its mixture of woodland, wetland and beach means that there are walks suitable for all ages and abilities.
You can even download handy maps on the National Trust website.