A carpet of bluebells in beech woodland, Hertfordshire

© Dan Tucker/Alam

Bluebells out in bloom. Spring spectacle of bluebells

The UK is home to about half of the world's bluebell population, and this is the time of year to discover beautiful carpets of the fleeting blooms, which usually flower from mid-April to late May. Millions of bulbs can be found scattered throughout just one ancient woodland, like the one on our homepage, which is awash with the nodding blue flowers and a quintessential sign of British springtime. They are incredibly delicate plants and can take years to recover after footfall damage, so stick to marked pathways and watch your step!