I set out with my camera this week to discover the Bluebells which I'd been told are in full bloom carpeting the floors of Well Woods at Hanningfield Reservoir.
Top Tip;
Collect a map at the Discovery Centre and as you walk into the reserve take a sharp right follow this pathway all the way until you get to point 16. There is a wooden gate that opens onto a grazing field. For years I'd been visiting and amazingly never explored this part! Continue straight across and you will come to a small wooden gate tied shut with an old rope. This opens into the most unbelievable, somehow enchanted woodland. The floors are filled with a striking vibrant colour of blue & purple. Here you will undeniably find the bluebells. There are so many of them it's a real feast for your heart and soul. The sweet smell hits you as soon as you enter this area. The colour is just out of this world, truly breathtaking. Walk through the winding pathway under the canopy of trees. Beautiful bluebells line your path, springing up covering the woodland floor.
(Please remember not to step or trample on these flowers! Colonies of these flowers take 5-7 years to grow from seed to flower. Did you know that once trampled on and leaves are damaged they can die back due to not getting enough food from photosynthesis. I don't think many people realise this? Thought it an important point to raise whilst on this subject!
Let's keep bluebell woodlands a magical place for everyone to enjoy for many years to come.)
Onto Well Wood
Go back the way you came and cross the open field and carry on your walk, turn right at point 17 and walk towards point 18. This is where you will be able to walk around the edge of the bluebells at Well Wood. The bluebells are magnificent and in full bloom. Take in the colour that seems to go as far as the eye can see. Stop for a moment and take in the sounds around you. The space with bird song is so peaceful and inviting.
An Ancient Woodland
At Hanningfield some of the woodlands are considered to be ancient.
"Ancient woodlands are usually woodlands that have been under the cover of trees for hundreds of years and since at least 1600AD. Hanningfield explain that one way of telling if a woodland is ancient is by looking at the types of plant that grow here. Plants such as bluebell, wood anemone and wood sorrel are known as ancient woodland indicators. They take a long time to colonise new areas so if they are present it's likely that this has been woodland for a long time."
A Special Place
When my son was younger we used to come here often with my Husband's parents and walk the Wind in the Willows trail and spend time in the various bird hides looking out over the reservoir. My Father In Law Bill was a keen birder and member of the RSPB & BTO taking on various tasks involving the management and wellbeing of birds in his local areas. Bill enjoyed being with us, showing us the sights and sounds of the reserve at Hanningfield. Unfortunately Bill passed away quite suddenly when Toby (our son) was only 2. We now hold onto those special memories we shared together here at Hanningfield and treasure them. I always feel a part of him is still with us whenever we visit this place.
Go and Visit
I highly recommend this place for a wander anytime of the year but if you want to see the bluebells I recommend going now. I'm not sure if they will last til the end of may as they seemed to flower a little earlier this year? Take some time for yourself, or go for a family walk together. It really is a beautiful place to visit.
The entrance fee is free but if you can they recommend a small donation. I think it's a £1 each or just £5 for a family. This goes towards the upkeep of the nature reserve. You can spend as long as you like here during opening hours. There is a cafe at the entrance selling teas and coffees, cakes, sandwiches etc. You can sit looking out over the reserve. They have positioned various bird feeders outside the windows. So see how many birds you can spot whilst drinking a coffee. You could always bring a packed lunch and sit at the various picnic tables dotted around too. ( please make sure you take your rubbish with you or dispose of it properly)
Hanningfield do have a facebook page that they regularly update so give them a follow and if you would like more information they also have a website https://www.essexwt.org.uk/nature-reserves/hanningfield
ESSEX WILDLIFE TRUST @EWTHanningfield · Nature reserve
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