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How to grow native bluebells in your garden

Why not try growing bluebells in your garden? Here are six good reasons why, along with our top bluebell growing tips.

Kate Lewthwaite  •  10 Mar 2026

Blog

When do bluebells flower in the UK? 

Mark your calendars! Find out when bluebells flower, where to see them, what they smell like and how they're protected.

Hanako Shimada  •  17 Feb 2026

Trees woods and wildlife

Bluebell

Enchanting and iconic, bluebells are a favourite with the fairies and a sure sign spring is in full swing. The violet glow of a bluebell wood is an incredible wildflower spectacle. 

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Are bluebells poisonous? And more bluebell facts

Find out all about bluebells, including if they’re poisonous, when to see them and lots of other bluebell facts. 

Hannah Vickers  •  06 Apr 2020

Visiting woods

Best bluebell woods

Experience a stunning sea of bluebells this spring. Discover our best bluebell woods across the UK.

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Visit the Woodland Trust's bluebell woods in full bloom

The Woodland Trust Northern Ireland wants to welcome visitors to sites throughout the region to enjoy the spectacular springtime sight of a bluebell-carpeted woodland.

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5 spring flower crafts for kids

Take a look at 5 fantastic spring flower crafts that kids will love, including tissue paper bluebells and finger-painted blossom.

Hannah Vickers  •  19 May 2021

Visiting woods

Bluebell woods in Wales

Wreathed in myth and legend, Wales' fairy tale bluebell woods are the perfect place to lose yourself in a sea of colour this spring.

Visiting woods

Bluebell woods in Northern Ireland

Inspiring views, wildlife galore and quiet time a-plenty – take a walk in one of Northern Ireland's peaceful bluebell woods.

Visiting woods

Bluebell woods in England

Escape the hustle and bustle with a tranquil springtime walk through one of England's most beautiful bluebell woods.

Visiting woods

Woods through the seasons

Our woods are a wonderful place to visit all year round. Visit in spring for swathes of bluebells, summer for sunlit picnics, autumn for bright bold colours and winter for snow-topped trees.

Trees woods and wildlife

Woodland wildflowers

From the dazzling bluebells that cover ancient woodland in the spring to the bright meadows bursting with buttercups in the summer, wild flowers are what make our woods so beautiful, while providing precious nectar for invertebrates. 

Visiting woods

Bluebell woods in Scotland

Ancient woodlands. Rainforest retreats. Mountain views. Scotland's bluebell woods hit different.

Visiting woods

Discover woods in spring

Our woods are beautiful year-round, but the jewel in the crown has got to be spring. As flowers bloom and wildlife awakens, the woodland comes alive with colour and activity. 

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Nature, art and youth vision unite with new mural at Brynau Farm

A once unremarkable concrete wall has been transformed into a stunning work of art thanks to a collaboration between Coed Cadw (the Woodland Trust in Wales) and Swansea College of Art.

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Eco-friendly travel: 10 woods to visit by train

Head off on an eco-friendly woodland adventure that starts with a romantic rail journey.

Kayleigh Jacobs-Rutter  •  02 Apr 2024

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Where to see wild daffodils in the UK

Did you know that the UK is home to a native, wild species of daffodil? Find out where, when and how to see them in our woods.

Rory Morrow  •  20 Feb 2026

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7 amazing woodland wildlife walks in Scotland

From otters and ospreys to fascinating fungi and flowers, Scotland's wildlife and scenery are spectacular. Check out 7 of our favourite woods for wildlife walks.

Charlie Mellor  •  15 Jul 2022

Blog

Wildflowers for bees: how to attract bees to your garden

Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. But there are things you can do in your garden to help reverse this trend including increasing food and habitat. Includes our top nine bee-friendly wildflowers to plant in your garden.

Helen Keating  •  18 Mar 2019

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Best woods near 10 UK cities

Here's our pick of great woods in and around the UK's busiest cities for sanctuary seekers, wildlife watchers, fitness fans and history hounds alike.

Charlie Mellor  •  04 Nov 2021

About us

The Bunce survey

The Bunce survey brings together 50 years of data drawn from more than 100 woods across England, Scotland and Wales. What has changed in that time? Why? And how can we use the results to nurture healthier woodlands?

Blog

Wildflower quiz: name these 10 common wildflowers

Can you name these ten common British wildflowers? Test your wildflower knowledge with our quiz.

Helen Keating  •  11 Apr 2019

Video

First steps to restoring an ancient woodland in Yorkshire

David Ward, a retired telecommunications engineer, bought a four acre ancient woodland in 2014. With limited knowledge and experience, he turned to Woodland Trust’s adviser Robin Ridley.

00:04:07

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Heartwood Forest appeal, St Albans

Our supporters helped us create the largest new native forest in England. Just a stone's throw from London, Heartwood Forest offers a place to escape without travelling far from the city.

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The best woodland walks in London

You don't have to leave London to enjoy the sights and sounds of a woodland walk. Here is our pick of the best places for a stroll in the city.

James Martin  •  28 Jan 2019

Video

Restoration techniques at Raincliffe Woods

We're working with Raincliffe Community Woodland Enterprise to restore ancient woodland at Raincliffe Woods, near Scarborough. Site manager Mark Feather addresses some of the common concerns and explains the techniques being used at the site.

00:06:58

Trees woods and wildlife

Brimstone

A common master of disguise, the brimstone blends perfectly into the alder leaves it lays its eggs on. Spot them in early spring when they emerge from hibernation.

Visiting woods

College Wood

Steeped in rich history, this enchanting ancient woodland dates back at least 600 years and once belonged to King Henry VIII.

Press centre

The Woodland Trust’s Mourne Park is awarded £2.5 million windfall from the National Lottery Heritage Fund

Mourne Park is set to reopen following damage from Storms Darragh and Éowyn, with a significant financial windfall from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

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Woodland Trust acquires new land connected to Mourne Park

The Trust has been able to extend Mourne Park, a special site for restoration and conservation in Northern Ireland, with 32 hectares of neighbouring land.

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UK’s ‘Forgotten Forests’ to be brought to life at Chelsea

A garden created by the Woodland Trust for this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show will expose the crisis facing the UK’s ancient woodlands.

Visiting woods

Mourne Park

Thanks to your generous support, Mourne Park’s gates are open to all. Experience the wonder of Northern Ireland’s ancient woodlands, with scenic views, trails and rich wildlife waiting to be discovered. We invite you to be part of its story.

Support us

Woodland creation appeal

Donate now to support our vital work, including the creation of life-giving new woodlands. With your help, we can build healthy habitats where precious wildlife can thrive.

Protecting trees and woods

How to identify ancient woodland on your land

Think your wood could be ancient? Check our tips on what to look for on site and the historical records that could help.

Visiting woods

Love your woods

Our woods are home to amazing plants and animals and they're all free for people to enjoy responsibly. Show them you care with our top tips for your visit.

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Brynau Farm appeal, Neath

We’re helping the incredible ancient woodland at Brynau Farm to flourish, and we now have the chance to more than double the size of this site. Help us secure Cefn Morfudd to create a peaceful oasis for native wildlife. 

Blog

8 enchanting rainforests to explore in the UK

UK rainforests are even rarer than their tropical counterparts, and just as beautiful. Brimming with wildlife, entwined with local history and overflowing with magic, here are eight of the best to explore.

Charlotte Varela  •  12 Mar 2025

Blog

9 carnivorous plants to spot in the UK

Did you know there are carnivorous plants in the UK? Take a look at some of the predatory and parasitic plants you could spot in our woods and wetlands.

Charlotte Varela  •  28 Jun 2023

Blog

9 outdoor Easter activities for families

Get outdoors in the Easter holidays and enjoy our fun nature activities for kids - try nest building, go on a scavenger hunt and nibble on an Easter-themed picnic!

Danielle Wesley  •  04 Apr 2022

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Our top five woods to hear nightingales

The famous song of the nightingale is one of the wonders of the natural world, but to have a chance of hearing it you'll need to know where to listen. Here we share top tips for tracking down a serenade, plus some of our woods to try for a lucky encounter.

Amy Lewis  •  01 Apr 2022

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12 rare wild flowers in the UK's woods

Woodlands are home to some of the UK's rarest wild flowers. From parasitic plants to alluring orchids, discover 12 rare woodland flowers and what makes them so uncommon.

Charlotte Varela  •  13 May 2025

Blog

8 steps to achieving long-term mindfulness with woods and trees

Explore some woodland activities that you can take part in to gain positive health benefits.

Julia Lock  •  22 Mar 2022

Visiting woods

Gillian's Wood

We are restoring this ancient woodland site to its former glory. 

Trees woods and wildlife

Birch, downy

Soft on the outside. Tough on the inside. On a global scale, this tree, with its fuzzy leaf stalks, shoots and twigs, grows further north than any other broadleaf species.

About us

BIO-WELL research 

BIO-WELL is a research project that mapped woodland biodiversity for human health and wellbeing. It explored the distribution of biodiverse woodlands across the UK, so we can begin addressing inequalities in access.   

Support us

Harrison Woodlands appeal update 

We've purchased Harrison Woodlands thanks to our generous supporters – but we still need your help. 

Support us

Trees for Tom

Captain Sir Tom Moore united and inspired the nation. By planting trees with the Trust, his family honoured his love of nature and helped create a brighter future. And you paid tribute by donating.

Trees woods and wildlife

Oak, sessile

Less famous than English oak, but no less loved, the sessile oak towers in the woods. Squirrels, jays and badgers love their acorns and caterpillars flock to eat their leaves, in fact 326 species of wildlife are found only on oak.

Trees woods and wildlife

Birch, silver

Pretty, pale, a symbol of purity. This common tree, with its silver-white bark, is favoured by gardeners who want to renew and purify their land for coming year.

Visiting woods

Frodsham Woods

On an abandoned golf course, we are creating a vibrant green haven for wildlife and people.

About us

Faughan Valley Woodlands: from fragments to thriving forests

The Faughan Valley Woodlands project aims to reconnect pockets of ancient woodland, allowing them to become more resilient and thrive in the future. 

Support us

Hargate Forest appeal 

Thanks to your generous support, Hargate Forest has grown in size, and restoration of the new areas of woodland has now begun. But we still need your support to enable us to continue the work needed for Hargate to thrive into the future.

Trees woods and wildlife

Red campion

These flashy woodland guardians have strong links to myths and mysticism. They are favourites of plenty of woodland insects – and fairies – and bloom a cheerful pink soon after the bluebell has finished flowering.

Video

David Griffith - volunteer Observatree tree health surveyor

Find out more about David's volunteering and why he was nominated for an award.

00:02:41

Video

Lionel Knobbs - volunteer warden

Find out more about Lionel's volunteering role and why he was nominated for an award.

00:02:03

Press centre

Woodland Trust opens Mourne Park

A rare ancient woodland wildlife haven has opened in Northern Ireland for the first time in over 500 years, with three new trails to help visitors explore.

Blog

7 woods with surprising stories

From poetry and paintings to books, films and TV, check out these seven woods with surprising connections to the UK’s rich history and culture.

Chris Britt-Searle  •  05 Apr 2024

Blog

6 woods in the Domesday Book and other centuries-old UK woods

Ancient woods are centuries old, irreplaceable wildlife homes and carbon-crunchers, packed with fascinating history. Discover some of our amazing ancient woods in the UK, why they’re so special and how you can help protect them.

Charlie Mellor  •  27 Feb 2023

Blog

Where and when to see snowdrops

Snowdrops are a symbol of hope and a sure sign that warmer weather is on the way. Find out when to see them and the best places to look for them.

Judith Garforth  •  13 Feb 2026

Blog

11 waterfall walks to visit in our woods

From gently tumbling streams to powerful cascades, waterfalls are mesmerising. Check out the best waterfall walks in and around our woods across the UK.

Charlie Mellor  •  15 Jan 2021

Blog

Early spring flowers quiz: 12 flowering plants and shrubs

Want to identify blooms spotted on a refreshing woodland walk or bring some early colour to your garden? Take our quiz to discover some of the most common early flowerers.

Charlie Mellor  •  16 Feb 2026