3 spring flower walks to awaken the senses

Visit Belhus Woods for lesser celandines, wood anemones and violets – early spring flowers that thrive and are ‘indicators’ of the ancient woodland at this park.

These flowers have some strong and delightful scents to tickle your nose – take a moment to inhale deeply. Stop and delight in the moment as your senses start to awaken.

Daffodils bloom around the cafe and later in the spring you can take pleasure in the snake’s head fritillaries here – their patterns are perfectly symmetrical and they make for charming photographs.

Blackthorn blossom blooms and lines many of the woodland paths at Belhus too. Take one of the many routes for an enchanting wander.

Also look out for primrose and cowslips. Before the bluebells change the woodland floors purple.

Take a look at our map to plan your route.

Head to Thorndon for glorious lesser celandines and wood anemones popping up in the woodland during early spring.

As with Belhus, we advise stopping to take stock for a moment and awakening your senses. These blooms have some strong and delightful scents to tickle your nose and put a spring in your step.

In particular the lesser celandines bloom by the horse ride on the western most border of the park. Discover a new corner of the park.

Take a look at the map and plan your visit.

For stunning swathes of bright yellow daffodils you have two options of where to go at Weald.

Head to the Belvedere Mound and look out for daffodils (and the beautiful yellow azaleas and brightly coloured rhododendrons that bloom brilliantly later in the spring). These flowers are a reminder of the historic house and landscaped gardens of weald’s past.

For a quiet spot, full of delightful daffodils, head to The Park on the edge of the Forest and Chestnut Avenue and find the bench for a moment of reflection and stunning views down into the valley.

Head further into the woodland and spot wonderful Wood Anemones popping up.

Later in the spring spot Foxgloves starting to thrive thanks to the recent woodland works. The opening up of these areas means more light can reach the woodland floor, benefiting flora and more.

Take a look at our map to plan your route.

Daffodils are one of the most popular and cheery heralds of spring. As bulbs they spend several months developing roots before the flowers burst forth, usually between February and May. (RHS).

Over the centuries, daffodils have been given many common or local names, including the 'daffodowndilly', 'yellow maiden' and 'Lent lily', which is a reference to their flowering season coinciding with the period leading up to Easter.

Read more on the National Trust website.

Charming and cheerful, the star-shaped flowers of the lesser celandine brighten up the woodland floor. Look out for their friendly yellow flowers on path edges in early spring.

Read more with the Wildlife Trusts.

A spring delight, the wood anemone grows in dappled shade in ancient woodlands. Traditional management, such as coppicing which takes place as part of our woodland management particularly at Belhus Woods, can help such flowers by opening up the woodland floor to sunlight.

Commonly classed as either rhododendrons or azaleas, these popular woodland shrubs put on spectacular flowering displays from spring to early summer.

Rhododendrons are usually medium or large evergreen shrubs, while azaleas tend to be smaller and may be evergreen or deciduous.

Azalea flowers are usually smaller, but come in a more vivid array of shades, and are sometimes gloriously fragrant. Most rhododendrons and azaleas require acid soils.

Head to Weald (Belvedere Mound) a little later in the spring for some fabulous flower-filled sights.

(RHS).