Route: North Cliffe Wood
Area: East Yorkshire
Date of walk: 26th April 2024
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 2.5 miles
Ascent: none
Weather: Bright but cloudy
North Cliffe Wood Nature Reserve is managed by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and is well worth a visit at any time of year, but especially so in late April/early May when there are carpets of bluebells throughout the woods. Although it’s an easy stroll around the woodland we’d brought our walking boots as the paths can be very muddy after prolonged rain, and this proved to be the case today
There are a few roadside parking spaces along Sand Lane by the two entrances to the wood and we parked in one of these. On entering the wood we followed the track along its eastern edge. Within a couple of minutes we were greeted by the wonderful sight – and scent – of countless bluebells. The sight was enhanced by occasional patches of stitchwort and primrose, and a host of warblers provided background musical accompaniment
We walked around the perimeter of the wood, and also a small area of heathland where grass snakes may regularly be seen basking in the summer months
We then re-entered the wood, following a path around the edge until we arrived back at the start
There seems to be an increasing issue these days with visitors to bluebell woods leaving the main paths and walking over the plants, perhaps in order to get a better photo. Once the plants are damaged by trampling they can’t photosynthesise enough energy and it can take them years to recover. Could I please ask anyone following this walk (or indeed any walk through a bluebell wood) to keep to the main paths and avoid contact with the plants.
I hope you enjoy the photos of bluebells which follow…
For other walks here, visit my Find Walks page and enter the name in the ‘Search site’ box
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The first of many bluebell photos...
A stately oak tree, one of several in the woodland
The end of another visit to this special place
