The woodlands have come alive and spring magic is in the air. That lovely warmer sunshine is cutting through bringing woodlands to life. Woodlands are a place for all the senses; birdsong accompanies your walk, and slightly less muddy paths entwined with the smell of wild garlic. You may even hear the first Cuckoo of the season. It is one of my highlights of the year when I see the first dainty blue hats coming through, so here is where you can find the best blooming bluebell spots in Devon this spring.
First off, a special shoutout to Mid and East Devon who provide us with some of the best bluebell spots in Spring. I often find in my other seasonal round-ups that South Devon wins through but this time I feel that Mid and East Devon provide some of the best spots for bluebell hunters.
Mid and East Devon Blooming Bluebell Spots
Blackbury Camp
Southleigh, Colyton, Devon, EX24 6JE
Small car park, dogs on leads welcome and no facilities available.
This ancient hillfort in Devon was built during the 4th century BC. It was used by an Iron Age tribal people, probably for several hundred years. Blackbury Camp had impressive ramparts, and the single entrance was protected by a large triangular earthwork or ‘barbican’. Now surrounded by woodland, the hillfort is a popular spot for picnics and bluebell hunters will certainly be happy as it is quite possibly the best bluebell spot in Devon.
Holyford Woods
Holyford Woods, Seaton, Devon EX12 3AA
Park at the Seaton Down picnic site opposite Seaton Tower Garage on Seaton Down Hill Road. From here, walk back to the A3052 and cross over the road carefully. You will then see a signpost marked Holyford Woods Local Nature Reserve, follow this footpath down the field and you will come across the entrance to the woods. The nearest postcode is EX12 2TF. Dogs allowed.
Holyford Woods is a beautiful quieter woodland in a picturesque valley near Seaton. In the spring, the woodland floor is carpeted in bluebells and the air is filled with the aroma of wild garlic. A goyle, or sunken stream runs through the heart of the woodland, feeding the Stafford Brook which runs into the Axe estuary at the nearby Colyford Common Local Nature Reserve.
Salcombe Hill
Salcombe Hill, Sidmouth, Devon, EX10 0NY
National Trust car parking is available. Dogs allowed.
A walk around Salcombe Hill with breathtaking views of bluebells with the backdrop of the Devon Jurassic Coast.
Fire Beacon Nature Reserve
Fire Beacon Lane, Sidmouth, Devon, EX10 0QB
There is a layby for parking just west of Bowd on the north side of the A3052. Dogs allowed.
Fire Beacon Hill is an area of lowland heath, which offers a bird’s eye view of the surrounding countryside and coast. As its name suggests it was the site of one of the beacons used to inform Elizabethan London of the approaching Spanish Armada.
Offwell Woodlands
Park in Offwell Village and take the lane down the hill beside the church. After 200 metres on the right, there is a kissing gate & public footpath across the field towards the woodland. The walking time from the village to the woodland centre is approx 20 minutes. There is no public vehicular access to the Woodland Education Centre. Dogs allowed.
The site, managed by Offwell Woodland and Wildlife Trust, consists of a wide variety of restored native wildlife habitats rich in wildlife. Tables beside the lake are a great place for picnics and families to relax and enjoy the bluebells and the surroundings.
Hembury Hillfort
Hembury Hill Fort, EX14 3LA – Small car park available. Dogs allowed.
Hembury Hillfort, near Payhembury, is the finest prehistoric hillfort in Devon, with massive defensive ramparts. Excavations have revealed Iron Age and Roman occupation. Full of history, amazing views and bluebells what more can you want from a woodland walk in Spring!
Combe Woods
Combe Woods Combe Wood, near Honiton, Devon, EX14 4TG
An NT woodland, an easy circular walk around the woodland is pleasant at any time of the year but the route is at its very best during bluebell season in early May.
South Devon and Exeter Blooming Bluebell Spots
Scanniclift Copse
1 mile southwest of Doddiscombsleigh, Nr Exeter, Devon, EX6 7PW
Limited on-street parking near Teign Valley Inn. Dogs are allowed on lead.
Ability to access the reserve is inhibited by the natural steepness of most of the site and natural woodland obstacles such as tree roots. Allow 45 minutes to walk the circular route. A bluebell woodland for someone who wants to walk somewhere a little quieter. The reserve is one such small, but well connected, woodland nestling on the sharply rising valley sides, overlooking the hedged agricultural land.
Killerton National Trust, Danes Wood and Ashclyst Forest.
Broadclyst, Exeter, Devon, EX5 3LE. Parking onsite and dogs allowed in certain parts of the parkland.
A family home and a great estate. Glorious landscape garden surrounded by parkland with fine 18th-century house. Bluebells pop up all around the woodland walks and gardens.
Danes Wood
Killerton, Broadclyst, Exeter, Devon, EX5 3LE
This enchanting circular walk starts at Killerton House and wends it’s way through the estate to Danes Wood before looping back again. This is a great trail for spotting wildlife, as the woodlands here are home to flourishing populations of songbirds and butterflies.
Ashclyst Forest
Forest Gate car park, near Broadclyst, Exeter, Devon.
A magical forest on the Killerton estate and one of the largest woods in East Devon.
Holwell Lawn Bluebell Field
There’s a small parking area on the north side of the B3387 between Saddle Tor and Hemsworthy Gate. Dogs allowed.
Open fields and hills covered with Bluebells are just breathtaking. Often a little behind sheltered woodlands so many locals tend to visit Holwell Lawn, near Hound Tor, mid to the end of May.
Emsworthy Mire
The reserve is off the B3387 on the road from Bovey Tracey to Widecombe-in-the-Moor past Haytor. Near Widecombe-in-the-Moor, TQ13 7TT. Dogs on lead.
Emsworthy Mire makes a great introduction to Dartmoor. A gently sloping valley leads you down between ancient dry-stone walls to the ruins of a moorland farm, abandoned since the 1870s. In early summer the fields are a dazzling purple from the flowers of thousands of bluebells – a stunning sight.
Lady’s Wood
South Brent, Devon, TQ10 9JE. Dogs on lead.
This small reserve acts as a gateway to the wild landscape of Dartmoor. Bluebells and dormice are the stars of this oldest nature reserve.
North Devon Blooming Bluebell Spots
Borough Woods
One for a longer walk. I suggest downloading a route to find a car parking spot as this woodland is a little more off the beaten track to find directions! An ancient woodland bursting at the seams with bluebells, native orchids, wood anemones, wood sorrel and ferns.
Beckland Woods
Brownsham EX39 6AN Dogs allowed.
If you park at Brownsham National Trust Car Park, you can walk through Beckland Woods to see the magnificent rampart of the Hill Fort at Windbury Head. This Iron Age Hill Fort probably dates back to the 8th century BC and the Roman conquest of Britain. Most of the fort has now been lost to coastal erosion but you can see the southern ramparts standing tall at 330 feet above sea level. Extend your visit by walking through these beautiful woods and down to see Blackchurch Rock at Mouthmill.
We would love to hear if you have any other blooming bluebell spots in Devon that you can recommend. Or if you have any updates on the bluebell spots we have suggested. I hope you have a truly wonderful time exploring this springtime.
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