With the reappearance of the warmer weather comes the return of colourful blooms, gracing all of our green spaces with a natural dose of serotonin. And here to coat our woodlands in a sea of lilac-blue is the long-awaited bluebell season – which is officially in full force across the country. Luckily for us Mancs – there are plenty of places to spot a glimpse of them this April and May, too, providing us with tranquil places to unwind in the sunshine. If you fancy a woodland wander this spring, here’s our guide on where to see bluebells in and around Manchester.
1. Happy Valley, Bramhall
A fantastic place for a Sunday stroll in Stockport, Happy Valley not only has a brilliant name, but it’s a brilliant place, too. Currently carpeted in vibrant bluebells, the stunning nature reserve is home to large stretches of the pretty spring flowers, which pop up every single April and May. If that wasn’t all, there’s also a picturesque brook, too, which is lovely to follow on a sunny day.
📍 Happy Valley, Bridge Lane, Bramhall, Stockport SK7 3AL.
2. Dunham Massey, Altrincham
Home to an entire meadow of bluebells, Dunham Massey is a fantastic place to spot the beautiful spring flower, with thousands of the protected flowers found dotted throughout the estate. If you want a huge dose of their beauty, however, the Bog Garden is absolutely covered in the stuff, and is a gorgeous spot to wind down after a long week at work.
📍 Dunham Massey, Woodhouse Lane, Altrincham WA14 4SJ.
3. Styal Woods, Wilmslow
Marking the end of winter every single year, Styal Woods becomes a sea of blue in the spring, thanks to the hundreds and thousands of seasonal blooms that the woodland is home to. Also home to Quarry Bank Mill, the location is perfect for a weekend leg stretch, just a short drive from the city centre.
📍 Styal Woods, Styal Rd, Styal, Wilmslow SK9 4HP.
4. Walkden Gardens
A highly underrated spot just outside of the city, Walkden Gardens is home to thousands of beautiful, colourful flowers – including bluebells. Consisting of a number of different gardens and green spaces, visitors will stumble upon stunning banks of bluebells along the Cherry Walk, with a more woodland feel compared to the rest of the Gardens.
📍 Walkden Gardens, Derbyshire Rd, Sale M33 3EL.
5. Bluebell Cottage Gardens, Cheshire
A lovely plant nursery based in Warrington, Bluebell Cottage Gardens is quite the sight in the springtime, with pops of colour at every turn. In particular, fairytale-style scenes of beautiful bluebells, blanketing the woodland section with lilac-blue right here in Manchester. The gorgeous nursery is owned and managed by Sue Beesley, who tends to some lovely blooms all year round.
📍 Bluebell Cottage Gardens and Nursery, Lodge Ln, Warrington WA4 4HP.
6. Hall Lee Bank Park, Westhoughton
Tucked away off two main roads in Westhoughton, Bolton, you may not even notice Hall Lee Bank Park on first passing, but whether you use it as a short cut or an intentional walk in the wild, you’re in for a treat. The cascading bluebells pop up every year, covering much of the vast expanse of the wooded area, forming a beautiful blue blanket in the spring and summer months.
With a stream running through the middle of the green oasis, trees of all shapes and sizes and a variety of wildflower patches, the small but perfect-for-a-walk, council-maintained park makes a lovely dog walk or worthy detour, especially when the bluebells make their annual return to Greater Manchester.
📍 Hall Lee Bank Park, Park Rd, Westhoughton BL5 3BN.
7. Rufford Old Hall, Lancashire
Running alongside the Rufford branch of the Leeds and Liverpool canal, the woodland at Rufford Old Hall boasts gorgeous bluebells at this time of year. You can further stroll through Rufford’s Victorian and Edwardian gardens – and remember you’re only a few feet (or metres) above sea level – making Rufford one of the lowest lying National Trust gardens in England.
The fine Tudor house and colourful garden are home to five centuries of Lancashire and Hesketh family history, and once you’re done exploring you can relax at the cosy and traditional Victorian tea-room serving delicious treats, light lunches and cream teas, with outdoor seating in the courtyard − perfect for a sunny spring day.
📍 Rufford Old Hall, 200 Liverpool Road, Rufford, near Ormskirk, Lancashire, L40 1SG.
🎟️ Book tickets for the National Trust site here.
8. Hardcastle Crags, Hebden Bridge
Hardcastle Crags is a spectacular wooded valley with the 19th-century Gibson Mill at its heart, on the outskirts of West Yorkshire in the beautiful Hebden Bridge. Accessible by train or car from Manchester, the area is abundant with vast plains of beautiful bluebells, in more than 400 acres of unspoilt woodland.
There are more than 15 miles of footpaths to explore through the woodland and wider countryside and, if you’re feeling brave, there’s a steep climb up to the Crags which give the site its name, offering stunning views. Once you’ve seen all there is to see, and suitably tired yourself out, there is of course the Weaving Shed Café, back at the mill, serving a range of hot and cold drinks, freshly prepared sandwiches, soup, cakes and ice cream, with indoor and outdoor seating available.
📍 Hardcastle Crags, Gibson Mill, Midgehole Road, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire HX7 7AW.
9. Skelghyll Woods, Ambleside
A large, wild-feeling woodland just a short walk from the centre of Ambleside, you could spend a whole day at Skelghyll Woods wandering the trails. Jenkins Crag provides a great view across Windermere, and blooming bluebells occupy the woods as far as the eye can see, making this day trip from Manchester a treat for the eyes. Once you’ve had your fill, ramble back to town and grab a pint or a cuppa, and maybe some grub − you deserve it!
Skelghyll Woods is also part of the Ambleside Champion Tree Trail, boasting some of the tallest trees in Cumbria and England. Find the route here.
📍 You can find Skelghyll Woods via Stagshaw Garden National Trust car park, near Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 0HE.
PLEASE NOTE: Bluebells are a protected species here in the UK, and picking them is prohibited. Please don’t pick these beautiful flowers!