Bluebells: Essex Wildlife Trust warn Great Totham visitors

The UK is home to more than half of the world’s population of bluebells and more than one million bulbs can be found in just one wood, indicating an ancient woodland where many generations of bluebells have thrived.

Essex Wildlife Trust’s Shut Heath Wood nature reserve in Great Totham is an area where visitors can see the flowers this May.

Bluebells. Photo - Essex Wildlife Trust

Located just below the crest of the Great Totham Ridge, the woodland is carpeted in bluebells and other spring flowers such as cuckoo flower, primrose, dog violet and bugle.

A spokesman said: “Bluebells are a very delicate plant and are easily damaged, especially if they’re trodden on.

“Damage can prevent the leaves from photosynthesising, causing the plant to die back.

“Bluebells take between five and seven years to establish, so even minor damage can have a long-lasting impact.

Bluebells in Shut Heath Wood. Photo - Emily McParland

“Essex Wildlife Trust are encouraging people to stick to marked pathways and be mindful of where they tread to ensure the spectacle can continue for many generations to come.”

The trust protects several nature reserves which provide a perfect habitat for this fragile flower, allowing the bluebells to slowly spread over many years to form sprawling lilac and blue carpets.