Bluebells thrive in Derbyshire woodlands - and seemingly also hedgerows and roadside grass verges too. This lovely blue flower that's quintessentially English forms carpets of blue, purple and occasionally even the odd white flower across British woodlands in spring.
There has been much debate about the threat to our native bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) from the non-native Spanish variety, a cause of significant concern as The Woodland Trust suggests studies estimate that the UK has up to half of the global population of bluebells. But although our native bluebell generally prefers steep wooded slopes, the bumper display of 2010 had Derbyshire bluebells appearing in roadside verges and also alongside hedgerows.
While Derbyshire bluebells are best visited on foot as part of a walk, this isn't always possible for those with busy and hectic lives. This article on drive-by bluebells in Derbyshire is for those whose travels routinely take them through mid Derbyshire, and lists some of the best spots to catch a quick glimpse of the carpets of blue and purple from the road. Some of these are tucked away on country lanes and some surprisingly right beside main roads.
Where Can I Find Bluebells Alongside Busy Main Roads in Derbyshire?
Bluebells found alongside busy main roads include a patch of woodland on the corner of the A608/A609 near Smalley Common. This woodland is in private land and there is no parking immediately nearby (there is a layby some distance south along the A608), but provides a welcome splash of blue while waiting at the traffic lights to turn right onto the Ilkeston road.
Where Can I Find Bluebells Alongside Quiet Countryside Lanes Away From Urban Areas?
One of the best places to find bluebells alongside quiet countryside lanes in the middle of nowhere is near to Ireton Wood. Ireton Wood is situated roughly between Carsington Water, Hulland Ward, Cowers Lane and Idridgehay. Both the narrow lane leading in to Ireton Wood from the Wirksworth Road (B5023) and the narrow, ford-crossing lane leading in from the Ashbourne Road (A517) have good displays of bluebells visible from the car. The Wirksworth side is more difficult to spot, and best viewed going from Wirksworth to Ireton Wood - in a small woodland copse on the left.
The Ashbourne side has a more spread-out display and is unusual for the sheer quanities appearing in the grass verges and under the hedgerows. While some bluebells do appear along road-sides in grassy hedgerows, they tend to be indivudal escapees rather than great swathes of them, not so on the Ashbourne road out of Ireton Wood, where the verges are covered with them and other wild flowers.
No parking is available near these bluebells - although there are a couple of single car spaces the roads are sufficiently narrow that these are intended as passing not parking places.
Where Can I Find Bluebells Alongside Quiet Country Lanes That Aren't so Off-The-Beaten-Track?
There is a good carpet of bluebells in the woodland alongside Cheviot Lane in Milford. Best seen on the left travelling from Milford to Farnah Green, again there is no opportunity for parking nearby, but would be easily viewable by those walking past. Like all the woodland bluebells mentioned in this article, they are on private land - please do not trespass.
Driving and looking at bluebells at the same time can be dangerous. Do not allow the wonderful views of bluebell carpets to distract you from driving!
Chiz Dakin - A keen mountain walker, scrambler, cyclist and occasional climber and sea kayaker for several years, Chiz Dakin has carried a camera with ...
