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Where to see bluebells in Kent in Spring 2023, including Hole Park’s Bluebell Spectacular

We’re finally seeing the first signs of spring, which means that any day now our woodlands will be filled with beautiful bluebells.

The vibrant flowers, which can blossom anytime from March until May, will be on display at the annual Bluebell Spectacular event at Hole Park.

The Bluebell Spectacular returns to Hole Park and Gardens
The Bluebell Spectacular returns to Hole Park and Gardens

Starting from mid-April, when the flowers are usually at their best and brightest, the Cranbrook gardens will be adorned with a carpet of bluebells.

The woodlands will be showered with the violet-blue flowers for just a few weeks, so visitors who wish to see the display are urged to check the Hole Park bluebell barometer online.

The barometer, which can be found on the Hole Park website in April, will be regularly updated to let visitors know when the bluebells are at their peak.

Bluebells bloom from March to May, but are usually at their best in April. Picture: Hole Park and Gardens / Pennington PR
Bluebells bloom from March to May, but are usually at their best in April. Picture: Hole Park and Gardens / Pennington PR

The circular woodland walk will take guests all around the bluebell display.

While strolling through the grounds, you will also be able to spot wild orchids, scillas, primroses, magnolias, camelias, wisteria and rhododendrons.

The gardens will be open daily from Saturday, April 1 from 11am to 6pm. Adult tickets cost £10 when booked in advance here.

If you’re a fan of the spring flowers, Hole Park isn’t the only place you can find bluebells in Kent.

Three National Trust properties - Chartwell in Westerham, Emmetts Garden in Sevenoaks and Scotney Castle in Lamberhurst - will all see their historic estates covered with bluebells in the coming weeks.

Visitors to Penshurst Place this spring might see a bluebell or two. Picture: Penshurst Place
Visitors to Penshurst Place this spring might see a bluebell or two. Picture: Penshurst Place

A number of other estates in the county, such as Penshurst Place near Tonbridge and Hever Castle in Edenbridge, will also have bluebells coming to life in their formal gardens and magnificent parkland.

For those who want to see nature at its best, there are plenty of farms and country parks that will have wild displays of bluebells in April.

Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest near Goudhurst, Eliot Woods in Canterbury, Oare Gunpowder Works near Faversham and Ranscombe Farm in Cuxton are all perfect places to head out for a pleasant springtime walk with the family and spot the bluebells.

Sign up to the Bluebell Walk for charity. Picture: Steve James
Sign up to the Bluebell Walk for charity. Picture: Steve James

Later in April, there will also be a Bluebell Walk, held by Heart of Kent Hospice, which takes walkers through the Kent countryside, stopping to look at the bluebells along the way.

The walk starts from Harrietsham Village Hall, near Maidstone, on Sunday, April 30. Sign up online here.

From Wednesday, April 22 to Sunday, May 3, the flower will also be on display at the Riverhill Himalayan Gardens in Sevenoaks.

The annual Bluebell Festival is a seasonal highlight of these beautiful gardens and will include a woodland trail and bluebell-themed crafts.

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