Best Bluebell Walks in the Lake District

23 April 2018

A walk on the wild side is lovely whatever the season, particularly in the Lake District, as it has something to offer all year round and the landscape undergoes a complete transformation with each passing season that is well worth seeing. However, there is nothing quite like a spring walk!

Now that the slightly warmer weather has finally arrived and bluebell season is almost upon us, there is no better time to put a spring in your step and get out and about for a woodland walk to enjoy them in all their glory. The best time to find the woodland floors carpeted by these beautiful blue blooms is late April and early May, so now’s the time to start planning a few bluebell walks of your own!

The Lake District is home to many wonderful woodland areas, and if you’re going to be visiting soon, here are a few of our top picks that you should add to your list of places to head to for a wander through the bluebells.

Rannerdale, Buttermere

Probably the most spectacular place you could visit in the Lake District if you’re hoping to see a full carpet of bluebells, Rannerdale actually draws visitors from all over the world to see the bluebells that turn the valley blue.

In Rannerdale Valley, the bluebells spread out across fields, unlike the rest of the spots on our list which are more of a woodland setting, and it makes for a really spectacular view!

This lovely walk will take you to Rannerdale Knotts and the bluebell valley, so you can see them for yourself.

Brandelhow Woods, Derwentwater

Brandelhow was the first place in the Lake District to be acquired by the National Trust, and the Brandelhow Bay walk is a wonderful leisurely stroll that takes you along the shore of Derwentwater, and through Brandelhow Woods, where you will find plenty of bluebells if you go at the right time. These bluebell walks are perfect for families, as it’s suitable for children as well as all-terrain pushchairs for babies and toddlers to come along too.

The Cumbria Way also passes through, if you’re looking for a challenge at the other end of the spectrum, and the Keswick launch steamer stops at the jetties at Low and High Brandelhow so you can even arrive by boat if you wish.

White Moss Common, Grasmere

The woodland around White Moss Common is another place where you can spot bluebells, and it’s a popular area for walking. This miles without stiles route is suitable for most people, including those in wheelchairs, which makes it very accessible. It’s also very close to the village of Grasmere, where you will find the famous Grasmere Gingerbread!

Skelghyll Woods, Ambleside

Just a short walk from Ambleside town centre, Skelghyll Woods is a great place to head to for bluebell walks as it is so easy to get to! These woods are also home to the tallest Grand Fir tree in England, and the tallest Douglas Fir tree in Cumbria, amongst other impressive giants. Why not follow the National Trust’s Ambleside Champion Tree Trail through the woods to see them for yourself?

Low Wood, Wasdale

The Wasdale Valley is one of the more remote areas of the Lake District, but still attracts plenty of visitors for the famous walk up Scafell Pike from Wasdale Head. However, at the other side of Wasdale Head, you will find Low Wood, next to Wastwater where there is another truly beautiful display of bluebells to be seen at the right time of year.

This walk is dog-friendly and will take you along the water and through the woodland, and there are also two pubs in Nether Wasdale where you can grab a bite to eat and relax after your walk.

We hope this has given you some ideas for great spots to visit in the coming months once the bluebells are out in full force! If you’re planning a trip to the Lake District soon, be sure to check out our Lake District parks here.