A Trip To The Bluebell Woods

Lodge Hill Bluebells Yoxall Bluebell Woods Staffordshire

Bluebells. A photographers paradise, a blogging cliche or a wonderful display of Mother Nature in spring?

Either way I absolutely love them. I distinctly remember last year driving around trying to find a patch of bluebells to explore and take photos in and ended up shouting “there’s some” from a moving car and stopping by the side of the road. As you do! We scrambled through a break in the hedge with a 5 and 1 year old in tow and although it was a beautiful sight, felt like a real secret garden and we got some lovely photos, the fact there was no paths, no break in the blanket of flowers and we were conscious of not either getting stung, trapped or destroying the flowers in our path meant it wasn’t exactly an adventurous experience.

This year however could not have been more different, I had heard about a bluebell woods not too far from us that has been closed for the last two years but has re-opened now called Lodge Hill Bluebells in Yoxall, Staffordshire. I was so so excited to visit. It really did not disappoint, in fact it was better, it isn’t just a patch of bluebells, not just one field or a shadowed woods of those beautiful purple flowers but in fact lots of different walking trails with the most beautiful display of bluebells I have ever seen, literally everywhere you look.

We approached the entrance through the bunting adorned arch that welcomes you in, passing small patches of bluebells, large piles of sticks for building, tree log seats, hay bales strewn with vintage fabric, pops of colourful flowers in faded grey tin vases and perfectly placed log piles silently shouting the beauty of mother nature itself. Put together, yet wonderfully natural, a picture perfect pinterest scene if you ask me. The owners welcomed us with warm and friendly smiles and guided us through the different trails to go and explore.

Aside from the bluebells, it is the most magical location with a little brook, wonderful wooden steps, bridges and an expanse of open space. It’s a photographers paradise for sure. For the children it was brilliant because along all the trails there is a defined path so although steep in parts nothing was unmanageable and I loved seeing them both running around and enjoying themselves. Eva absolutely adores the woods and nature and despite her allergies she seems so at home exploring. We walked over some styles to the little brook where they dipped their welly covered toes in the water and Eva climbed a little, I can’t explain how happy this makes me as although she loves nature Eva has always been such a cautious little thing and it is so lovely to witness this develop and have such a wonderful place to do this in.

Along the way there were animals to see, fields of sheep that prompted Roma to re-tell me the story of when a sheep got out in the field next to Eva’s school, with the definitely made up addition that it looked over the fence and said “hello” to the children! Beautiful views of horses grazing and some pretty cheeky pigs that you can watch get fed too.

After the walk it was such a sunny day we sat on the hay bales and enjoyed a coffee from the gazebo/make shift cafe with the best lemon cake I have ever tasted! The girls loved the area to do some den building and we spent ages playing the lawn games too, there may have been a pretty competitive game of swingball between my sister and Eddy at this point. As we sat chatting I noticed the tree swing at the top of the hill and my gosh it is like something out of an idyllic childhood book. A serious woodland dream, and big enough for two, or four!

All in all it was probably one of the best simple days out with the children we have had in a long time, so much so in fact that we visited twice in one week, once with some friends and then taking Daddy and my sister too, as much as I feel like I want to keep it my own little secret and adopt it as my own back garden, it was probably better and more realistic to share the love!

It really has been beautifully done and my only wish is that the bluebell season lasted a bit longer, but if you are in the area it is a must visit and is open for one more weekend until 7th May. If you miss it though, pop it in your diary for next year and I’ll see you there!

xx

**This isn’t sponsored or anything I just absolutely loved it.

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22 Comments

  1. Natalie // Little Jam Pot Life
    May 4, 2017 / 12:18 pm

    Lovely photos and words. I find that the most simple of days are the ones we all enjoy the most rather than the big planned days out. Love the video too, xx

  2. May 11, 2017 / 6:01 pm

    The photos are stunning it really looks and sounds like a lovely place x

  3. May 11, 2017 / 7:09 pm

    Such a gorgeous location! Your photos are beautiful Laura xx

  4. May 11, 2017 / 7:49 pm

    Wow so many amazing snaps and gorgeous bluebells the kiddos are running through and sitting among. I love it. We finally found some too. Can’t wait to share. #parentbloggerthread

  5. Lizzie Roles
    May 11, 2017 / 7:54 pm

    I definitely don’t think bluebells are a blogging cliche, they’re just beautiful things to photograph and capture and why not! It looks like you had such a beautiful time as a family. ps please teach me how to vlog lol stunning video x

  6. May 25, 2017 / 8:42 pm

    Oh so gorgeous! I am a huge fan of bluebells and they make for the most beautiful photos! I’m looking forward to the net blogger cliché – lavender fields!! #sharingthebloglove

    • May 30, 2017 / 8:11 pm

      I have never done the Lavender fields as I am almost positive my two would be petrified of the bees and we would have to drive a few hours to one….might have to miss out there!

  7. May 26, 2017 / 3:33 pm

    This sounds like such a gorgeous spot – I love finding places like this that you know you’ll return to year on year. Your comment about Eva being so cautious made me smile – Max is exactly the same. I’m hoping that having a younger, perhaps more adventurous sibling will bring that out of him a little bit more. Your photos are absolutely stunning – the girls yellow coats against the blue is perfect! Thanks for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove

    • May 30, 2017 / 8:12 pm

      Oh having Roma has most definitely helped in the confidence stakes although she will still always be the cautious one I think (secretly it is so much easier too!!)

  8. May 26, 2017 / 9:08 pm

    Looks like a lovely place to visit – so well done, making it a little more special #sharingthebloglove

  9. May 28, 2017 / 9:18 pm

    What a beautiful place Laura. I love the cushions on the haystacks. They really have put a lot of thought in the detail. Alice is a lot more cautious and Holly makes her more adventurous. I love it! Thank you for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove

  10. Chloe
    June 4, 2017 / 1:32 pm

    Hi, I love bluebells and exploring the woods where they are found. I need to make a note of this place to visit next year #sharingthebloglove

  11. June 5, 2017 / 12:11 am

    The photos that you’ve taken are absolutely gorgeous! The bluebells really make a great scene <3 #sharingthebloglove

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