National Trust Cymru has revealed some of the best places for Bluebells in Wales, with Penrhyn Castle in Bangor at the top of the list.
The National Trust highlighted the best places to enjoy a picnic in a magical bluebell wood or follow a winding trail through countryside carpeted with swathes of nodding blue flowers. See these beautiful Springtime visitors in all their glory, before their short-lived season ends in May.
All the bluebell spots on this list are dog friendly, but please keep dogs on a lead and stick to the paths to avoid treading on the flowers, as they can take years to recover if trampled. The bluebell is a protected species, so please don’t pick them but leave to be enjoyed by generations to come.
Booking is required at some places and opening times vary, so head to the website to plan your visit.
North Wales
Penrhyn Castle and Garden, Bangor
A sea of blue can be seen all around the gardens and woodland surrounding Penryn Castle in May. Follow the path that passes under the hanging boughs of ancient oak trees with spectacular views of Snowdonia and the North Wales coast. Dogs on a short lead are welcome and there is a choice of dog walking trails to spot bluebells.
Chirk Castle, Wrexham
Find a secluded bench under a magnolia tree amongst the bluebells in the formal gardens, or take a wellie walk from Stable Bank, following the blue waymarked trail across the estate to enjoy the best of Chirk Castle’s bluebell displays in the woodland. Dogs on a lead are welcome on the Woodland Walk.
Bodnant Garden, Conwy
Bluebells carpet the ground under cherry blossom trees and flowering shrubs in the Glades. Head into Old Park meadow to wander amongst a sea of blue that stretches out beyond the dappled shade of the woodland glades reaching the riverside gardens of the Dell and Far End. From April to September, dogs are welcome on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Plas yn Rhiw, Llŷn Peninsula
Bluebells cover the woodland glades in this sheltered garden, showing off a spectacular display set against spectacular coastal views of Cardigan Bay. Dogs are welcome in the lower woodland only.
MID WALES
Llanerchaeron, Ceredigion
Spot the bluebells emerging up the banks of Afon Aeron and woodland slopes. Dogs are welcome into the parkland and woodland walks, but please be mindful that Llanerchaeron is a working farm with free-range animals on site. Access to the walled kitchen garden, ornamental lake and farmyard is restricted to assistance dogs only.
SOUTH WALES
Coed y Bwnydd, Monmouthshire
Dappled shade, birdsong and the heady scent of bluebells means the gently rolling landscape of this Iron Age hill fort continues to be a haven for people and wildlife. Coed-y-Bwnydd means ‘wood of the gentry’ where the annual show of bluebells promises a dazzling display of colour to an already beautiful, and archaeologically important, site.
Colby Woodland Gardens, Pembrokeshire
Head to West Wood in this tranquil valley garden to walk amongst a blanket of bluebells. The woodland in late spring offers pretty bluebell walks following a network of paths.
Dogs on a lead are welcome, except for the Walled Garden.
Dinefwr, Carmarthenshire
Follow the Cattle trail to Rookery Ridge, to see Dinefwr’s famous bluebell display – a showstopper in May. Every spring, the woodland is carpeted with thousands of beautiful bluebells sheltering in the shade of some of the oldest trees in Wales. Dogs on a lead are welcome in the outer park which has a choice of walks for bluebell spotting.
