Prior’s Wood

Priors Wood - Nr Portbury, North Somerset, UK. ID JB_4939

Priors Wood – Nr Portbury, North Somerset, UK. ID JB_4939

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.

Priors Wood - Nr Portbury, North Somerset, UK. ID JB_4856

Priors Wood – Nr Portbury, North Somerset, UK. ID JB_4856

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

Priors Wood - Nr Portbury, North Somerset, UK. ID JB_4865

Priors Wood – Nr Portbury, North Somerset, UK. ID JB_4865

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.

Priors Wood - Nr Portbury, North Somerset, UK. ID JB_4779

Priors Wood – Nr Portbury, North Somerset, UK. ID JB_4779

Wild Garlic

For a wood that is promoted as a bluebell wood it is surprising how wild garlic can steel the show.

Priors Wood - Nr Portbury, North Somerset, UK. ID JB_5094

Priors Wood – Nr Portbury, North Somerset, UK. ID JB_5094

The garlic covered the hillside between the trees looking like a dusting of snow.

Priors Wood - Nr Portbury, North Somerset, UK. ID JB_5128

Priors Wood – Nr Portbury, North Somerset, UK. ID JB_5128

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.

Priors Wood - Nr Portbury, North Somerset, UK. ID JB_5007

Priors Wood – Nr Portbury, North Somerset, UK. ID JB_5007

So it does live up to the hype.  Hopefully, I can return next year in much better weather!

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