In spring, woods around Maidenhead are filled with carpets of bluebells. The English variety has a beautiful scent which has been described as 'apple, mango, lychees, ginger and freshly mown grass'. 

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Good woodlands with swathes of bluebells include Bisham Woods, the Thicket and Waltham Place (tours only).

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What's happening to bluebells in Maidenhead?

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Our native bluebell is under threat, particularly from the Spanish bluebell, which is an invasive variety and cross-breeds with ours. The hybrid plants can quickly take hold in woodland and squeeze out the pure English variety.  Native bluebells have a strong sweet scent and intense violet-blue flowers that droop down like a bell along one side of the stem. The Spanish type is mor upright and a paler blue, with flowers on both sides of the stem and not much scent.

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What can I do?

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Visit one of our area's stunning bluebell woods in spring and enjoy the experience!

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