Bluebell woods to explore on a canal boat holiday
Canals meander through some of Britain’s best loved countryside, and there are places where you can explore bluebell woods on a canal boat holiday.
The UK is home to almost half the world’s bluebells, and they are one of the nation’s favourite wildflowers. Native bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) are an ancient woodland indicator.
The Woodland Trust says, “most flowering usually happens in April, so this is the best time to see that iconic carpet of blue.”
To celebrate, we’ve listed our top 7 beautiful bluebell woods to explore on a canal boat holiday:
1. Copley Woods on the Calder & Hebble in West Yorkshire
The bluebells are stunning in the woods alongside the Calder & Hebble Navigation at Copley. From our narrowboat hire base at Sowerby Bridge, it takes just under 30 minutes by boat to reach Copley.
2. Coed Cefn at Crickhowell on the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal
This ancient woodland managed by the Woodland Trust has an iron age hill fort at its centre. There’s a circular walk perfect for enjoying fantastic displays of bluebells in April and May. From our base at Goytre in South Wales, it takes around five hours to reach Llangattock Wharf. From there it’s a two-mile walk to Coed Cefn.
3. Chirk Castle Woods, close to the Llangollen Canal in Wrexham
Owned by the National Trust, the grounds of Chirk Castle include 480 acres of woodland and parkland. There are carpets of bluebells, veteran trees and a section of the historic Offa’s Dyke trail to discover. Setting out from our Chirk base on the Llangollen Canal in North Wales, it takes just 40 minutes to cruise to visitor moorings at Chirk Bank. From there, it’s a 30-minute walk up to Chirk Castle to explore bluebell woods on a canal boat holiday.
4. Cliveden on the River Thames in Berkshire
Set high above the River Thames near Maidenhead, Cliveden has 375 acres of glorious gardens and woodlands to explore. These include a magnificent carpet of bluebells alongside the beautiful tree-lined Green Drive. From our canal boat hire base at Aldermaston, it’s a 14 hour journey to Cliveden Reach.
5. Packwood House near the Stratford Canal in Warwickshire
The National Trust’s magnificent Packwood House has 150 acres of parkland to explore, including an area of ancient woodland with bluebells. From our base at Alvechurch, it takes around six hours to cruise to moorings on the Stratford Canal at Lapworth, close to Packwood House. From there you can walk to these bluebell woods to explore on a canal boat holiday.
6. Savernake Forest on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Wiltshire
There are over 4,500 acres of woodlands to explore at Savernake Forest, and it’s a bluebell paradise in Spring. The Kennet & Avon Canal runs alongside the Savernake Forest, with bluebell woods to explore on a canal boat holiday. From our Devizes base, it takes around 10 hours to reach the village of Wootton Rivers, a great starting point for a variety of walks around the Forest.
7. Skipton Castle Woods on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in West Yorkshire
Skipton Castle Woods is a rare ancient woodland habitat cared for by the Woodland Trust. These woods close to the Leeds & Liverpool Canal are reputed to be one of the best places to spot bluebells in Yorkshire. From our base at Silsden on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in West Yorkshire, it takes just around four cruising hours to reach Skipton Castle.
