Prior’s Wood
Respect the Bluebells
Prior’s Wood in the north west corner of Somerset is promoted as a bluebell wood. So you can imagine it was been on my radar for a long time. Finally, I made the trip to see if it really does live up to the hype.
This is an Avon Wildlife Trust nature reserve, but I think the Woodland Trust’s website sums it up…
This is a wonderful woodland with meandering paths and steep hillsides that look glorious in spring when smothered in bluebells. Oak, hazel and small leaved lime trees make a fairly dense canopy ideal for a cooler walk in the summer. For the most part this is a very quiet place that feels secluded with a peaceful stream running through it. Access can be tricky with often muddy steep paths – take your wellies and enjoy the puddles! – Woodland Trust
It certainly was muddy and some of the footpaths were very slippy and steep. I could not risk going down the hillsides too far. So missed out on the stream. But what I did see was beautiful.
Wild Garlic
For a wood that is promoted as a bluebell wood it is surprising how wild garlic can steel the show.
The garlic covered the hillside between the trees looking like a dusting of snow.
And finally…
Reminding me of our recent trip to Dartmoor there are beautiful open glades of bluebells and red campion around the edges of the wood.
So it does live up to the hype. Hopefully, I can return next year in much better weather!