Each year around May, the magical bluebell season arrives once again in the breathtaking landscapes of Britain, painting the woodlands with hues of purples and blues.
Lancashire, with its lush greenery and charming countryside, becomes a haven for these delicate beauties during the spring months. Join me as we embark on a journey through 5 of Lancashire’s enchanting woodlands, where the sights and scents of bluebells in full bloom await to mesmerize and captivate all who wander through.
Keep reading for the full list. Alternatively, watch the short film sharing footage from each location, as I search for the best woodland walks for capturing bluebells across the county.
1. Calder Vale, Forest of Bowland
This is arguably my favourite spot for bluebell photography in Lancashire when it comes to bluebell season. It’s only a short walk up and through the woodlands here, no more than a mile – but it’s a nice drive out to the village of Calder Vale, and it’s perfect for taking the little ones for a short stroll, especially during bluebell season.
The woodlands are teeming with nature as well, and there’s a beautiful pond on route to the woods with lots of birdlife and fish splashing about (if you look closely). The walk here also follows alongside the River Calder, so your dogs can have a nice splash too!
The screenshot of the map below gives you a rough idea of the loop within the woods, keeping left down the river, before a short ascent reaching a gateway to St Johns Church and Calder Vale Primary School. Instead, we turn right here to loop back down towards the start of the walk.
Short but sweet, especially during bluebell season.
2. Brinscall Woods, Chorley
I actually grew up in the village of Brinscall, and was very lucky to have these woodlands right on my doorstep. Every year around May, the bluebells come out in force, relatively close to the start of the woods as well (not too far from Brinscall lodge and just to the right as you climb up the main cobbled track).
Whilst this page is all about bluebell walks in Lancashire, I’d still highly recommend checking out a cracking ramble up to Great Hill starting around here, which includes parts of woodlands. Listed on my website here; https://lancashirelads.life/great-hill-via-brinscall-6-miles/
3. Marles Wood, Ribchester
I’ll confess, until I started properly researching location ideas for some of the best bluebell walks in Lancashire, I hadn’t actually visited Marles Wood before. Safe to say, I was not disappointed, and when I find more time, I fully intend on revisiting to do a much longer walk down the river Ribble here.
Marles Wood is located in Ribchester, running directly alongside the stunning river Ribble. The views down the river were amazing from this stretch of woodland, and the trails were full of blue and white… yes, wild garlic was everywhere here too. It smelt delightful!
4. Bowland Wild Boar Park
This location is a bit of a ‘wild’ card, mainly because you’ll need to pay an entrance fee to enter the park (open at weekends, bank holidays and summer holidays). However, Bowland Wild Boar Park is a fantastic day out for the whole family, with farm animal petting areas, an education centre full of exotic creatures, tractor rides, woodland trails, picnic areas and a busy cafe serving lots of hot food options.
The woodland trail was filled with bluebells on my last visit here in May, just magical.
The trails (not surprisingly) were quiet on the day of my visit, mainly because most of the visitors are down by the main areas of the park enjoying all the animals and other activities. Seeing the meerkats and entering the goat petting area are my favourite bits.
In recent years, the family-run park has launched an accommodation / holiday park, just up the track from the popular boar park.
They offer a number of options from luxury lodges, shepherd’s huts and safari tents, to glamping pods and an incredibly unique ironage roundhouse.
Yes, you can in fact stay in their roundhouse! I dare you 😉 haha!
If you’re interested in either of their offerings, check out the boar park at www.wildboarpark.co.uk and their holiday park, known as Bowland Escapes at www.bowlandescapes.co.uk
5. Spring Wood, Whalley
I think for most bluebell lovers who know their bluebell walks in Lancashire, I’ve probably saved the best walk of the lot, until last.
Spring Wood in Whalley is a fantastic woodland walk full of variety, lots of nature, with easy well marked trails, accessible just off the main road, and has plenty of parking spaces too.
On the day of my visit back in May 2023, I was lucky enough to spot deer roaming these woods as well. Just magical!
It’s by no means a long walk, and it’s located on a hillside so you can expect incline throughout your walks here, but it’s well worth it. Oh so peaceful.
There you have it – my top spots for bluebell walks across the whole of Lancashire – and don’t worry, I’ve no doubt that I’ve missed off many other locations I’ve yet to fully explore… I’ll be needing your help finding them!
Where are some of your favourite locations for bluebells across Lancashire?
Do you have any bluebell locations outside of the county worth sharing in the comments?
I’d love to hear your recommendations.
Thanks for reading, and I hope to catch you on the Lancashire trails someday.
P.s. I often produce walking films, mostly across this wonderful county. Just curious, do you think this walk below is the BEST walk in Lancashire? It’s the most visited walking route on my website… click to watch, and get involved in the conversation in the comments 🙂 See you there!
