Bluebells in Wiltshire

Bluebells usually flower from mid-April to late May, depending on the weather. If spring is mild they bloom early, so you’ll need to keep an eye on the weather.

Protected by law

Native bluebells are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It’s against the law to dig the up in the wild unless you have landowner permission, and landowners can’t dig them up and sell them.

To ensure the flowers stay look ing good every year, keep to the path on woodland walks. The plants are easily damaged and that can affect future growth.

Where to find bluebells in Wiltshire

Ambrose Copse, near Semley

Ambrose Copse is a predominantly oak/ash woodland which forms part of the Gutch Common SSSI. The Wood also lies within the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs AONB.

Bentley Wood, near Winterslow

Bentley Wood is a large, nationally important nature reserve which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It’s also a working wood.

Bidcombe Wood, near Warminster

Bowood, near Calne

Bowood’s gardens open for the rhododendron season but you’ll also find bluebells here.

Colerne Park & Monks Wood, near Chippenham

Colerne Park and Monks Wood is situated at the southern tip of the Cotswolds Area Of Outstanding National Beauty (AONB) a few miles to the north east of the village of Colerne.

Drews Pond Wood, near Devizes

is a small community broadleaved coppiced managed woodland. plenty of paths.

Erlestoke Park Wood

Erlestoke is on the B3098 between West Lavington and Edington.

Grovely Wood, near Salisbury

On the outskirts of Wilton, Grovely Wood is part of Wilton estate.

Hagbourne Copse, near Swindon

The copse was planted some time before 1766 and belonged to the Lydiard Park estate.

Mortimores Wood, near Chippenham

Mortimores Wood is a small area of woodland dating back to the 12th century.

Stourhead, near Mere

The National Trust offer spring walks during May to see Stourhead’s bluebells.

Tinney’s Firs, near Salisbury

Tinney’s Firs is an attractive, mature, mainly broadleaf woodland named after a stand of large Douglas fir.

Plain Copse, near Swindon

Plain Copse is a 1.36ha woodland located 3 miles north of Royal Wootton Bassett. It’s composed mainly of mature oak and silver birch.

Ravensroost Wood, near Malmesbury

Ravensroost Wood was once part of the medieval Royal Hunting Forest of Braydon.

West Woods, near Marlborough

The most well known place for carpets of bluebells is West Woods, south west of Marlborough. The area is managed by the Forestry Commission but the Marlborough and District Lions Club have permission from the Forestry Commission to open the woods to motor vehicles on two Sundays a year, know as Bluebell Sundays.

Wheelers Wood, near Lacock

Between the pretty village of Sandy Lane and Lacock, you’ll see beautiful displays of bluebells in Wheelers Wood.