Bluebells spring into life across county

The flowers are a sign that spring has sprung, and summer is on its way

Spring has sprung, bringing with it beautiful blooms of blue bursting through the soil across Gloucestershire.

Bluebell season is upon us, with the enchanting flowers turning wooded areas into magical meadows from late April through to May.

The pops of violet have been sprinkled across the county, from the colourful Cotswolds to the winding Wye Valley.

According to The Wildlife Trusts, the bluebell is the "unofficial national flower" of the UK, as it is home to more than half of the world's population of the flower.

Bluebells tend to bloom from late March until early May

Cadora Woods, which flanks the River Wye, is considered to be one of the prettiest places that bluebells spring up in Gloucestershire.

While your eyes may be glued to the magnificent floral carpet weaving around your feet, make sure you look to the trees, too.

"Many bluebells woods will be home to birds that have migrated thousands of miles to the UK to breed like the blackcap, wood warbler, nightingale and chiffchaff," The Wildlife Trusts said.

There can also be other colours threaded into the woodland floor, including the pearly white of the stitchwort and pinkish-purple blooms of the early purple orchid.

The Woodland Trust says Cadora Woods is one the most important concentrations of ancient semi-natural woodland in Britain

According to the National Trust, there was once a belief that witches used bluebells in their potions.

Another superstition is that those who walk into a ring of bluebells will be enchanted by fairies.

On a slightly darker note, others believed that if one heard the flower's bell ring they would be visited by a malicious fairy and die.

Many bluebell woods will be home to migrating birds

Some of the best places to see bluebells in Gloucestershire include:

• Cadora Woods (near St Briavels, Forest of Dean)

• Cam Peak (Cam, Stroud)

• Frith Wood Nature Reserve (near Slad, Stroud)

• Lassington Woods (near Highnam)

• Westonbirt Arboretum (near Tetbury, Cotswolds)

• Dover's Hill (Chipping Campden, Cotswolds)

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