Feeling blue? Just out of the blue, I am dropping two bluebell walks near London. Say “bye” to the Monday blues and hop into the woods to immerse yourself in the iconic blue carpet. Like a bolt from the blue, the bluebells flower only for a few weeks, so don’t miss the season! No need to have blue blood, the bluebell walks are open to everyone(Ok, I stop here with the idioms using the colour blue)!
At A Glance
In a hurry? Check out the table below which summarises the Bluebell Walks near London. I go into more detail about each walk in this article. You will find the GPS maps of the walk at the end of this post.
| Distance | Total Ascent | Walking Time | Difficulty | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tunbridge Circular | 18.75 miles (30.15 km) | 1735 ft (529 m) | 7 hours 15 min | Challenging |
| Orpington Woods | 14.8 miles (23.8 km) | 1398 feet (425 m) | 5 hours 10 min | Intermediate |
What is a Bluebell
Before we deep dive into the blue of the bluebell walks near London, let’s learn more about this incredible flower which draws many hikers, walkers and Instagramers to the woods every April.
The bluebell, scientifically named Hyacinthoides non-scripta (ok, let’s just call it bluebell, shall we?), is a plant native to the Western side of Europe from Northern Spain to Great Britain. Carl Linnaeus, a Swedish Botanist, was the first to study the plant for his book in 1753.
The plant is composed of leaves growing along a stem with flowers at the extremity. The petals are of a blue-purple colour, dropping from the stem towards the ground. The petals are recurved at the end, giving the flower the shape of a bell.
They are commonly found in woodland areas but they can also grow in coastal meadows. Their nectar attracts bumblebees and many other insects.
In the UK, bluebells are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It is an offence to remove Bluebell from the land for sale. The trade of bluebell seeds is also prohibited.
Bluebell Walks Near London
So now we covered the basics, let’s dive into a sea of blue with these 2 bluebell walks near London.
1 – Tunbridge Circular
The most iconic of the bluebells walks near London but not the easiest one to complete. This long-distance hilly walk takes you up and down the High Weald on a loop around the thermal town of Tunbridge Wells. The town rose to fame in the eighteenth century after the discovery of the chalybeate spring, whose water has healing properties.
The hike takes you through Kent villages and countryside towns of Pembury, Tonbridge, Speldhurst and Rustall. And of course, the most awaited, High Woods and Pembury Woods for a show of blue!
Read the complete walking guide here.
Logistics of the Tunbridge Circular Walk
- Distance: 18.75 miles (30.15 km)
- Total Ascent: 1735 ft (529 m)
- Highest Point: 469 ft (143 m)
- Lowest Point: 98 ft (30 m)
- Walking estimate: 7 hours and 15 minutes
- Difficulty: Challenging
- How to get there:
- Direct train from Charing Cross Station to Tunbridge Wells. The journey takes just under an hour.
- It is a circular walk so you can book a day return ticket
- What to pack:
- Comfortable clothing and footwear. You will be going up and down some steep hills so hiking shoes/ boots are highly recommended
- Backpack
- Packed Lunch & Snacks
- Gaiters if it has been raining the days before as the woodland paths can get muddy
- Headcover as it gets windy on top of the hills
- Rain gear if you are going on a rainy day
- Headcover, sunscreen and sunglasses if you are going on a bright day
- Hiking poles are advisable
- Additional Information
- There are no public toilets on this walk
- There are customer toilets available in local pubs in the villages and towns on the way
- Where to eat and drink:
- Claremont Pub, Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Highlights of the Tunbridge Circular Walk
- Tunbridge Wells
- Pembury village
- The Old Church of St Peter in Pembury
- Tonbridge town
- Southborough town
- St Peter’s Church in Southborough
- Speldhurst village
- St Mary’s Church
- Rusthall village
Related Content: 12 Spring Walks Near London
2 – Orpington Woods
Immerse yourself in an infinite pool of blue with this Orpington Woods walk. Passing through the locally famous Lily’s Woods and Andrew’s Woods which gets covered with a blue carpet each year. A show not to be missed for grown-ups and little ones alike, without forgetting our four-legged friends.
The walk can be deemed as long, especially if you are a beginner hiker or you are looking for a gentle stroll. The main issue is that Orpington Station is quite far from the woods so the walk starts with a fair bit of concrete paths before reaching Goodington Park, on the edge of the countryside fields. But your efforts will be rewarded by the sea of bluebells.
Read the complete walking guide here.
Logistics of the Orpington Woods Walk
- Distance: 14.8 miles (23.8 km)
- Ascent: 1398 feet (425 m)
- Highest Point: 610 ft (186 m)
- Lowest Point: 171 ft (52 m)
- Walking Estimate: 5 hours and 10 minutes
- Difficulty: Intermediate – the terrain is easy but the distance may be found challenging for beginners
- How to get there:
- Direct train from Charing Cross or London Blackfriars to Orpington. The train from Charing Cross Station also stops at London Waterloo East and London Bridge stations.
- The journey from Charing Cross can take between 25 to 40 minutes depending if you get the fast or the slow train. The journey from London Blackfriars takes 45 minutes.
- Orpington is on the TFL network, fare zone 6, so no need to buy train tickets. You can travel with your Oyster or contactless card.
- If you need to buy a train ticket, it is a circular walk so you can book a day return ticket.
- What to pack:
- Comfortable clothing and footwear. Trainers are acceptable on this walk as long as it has not been raining before as the path in the woods could get muddy.
- Rain gear if you are going on a rainy day
- Headcover, sunscreen and sunglasses if you are going on a bright day
- Backpack
- Packed Lunch & Snacks
- Additional Information
- There are no public toilets on this walk
- Where to eat and drink:
- The Cricketers Knoll, Orpington, Kent
Highlights of the Orpington Woods Walk
- Orpington
- Lily’s Wood
- Lullginstone Country Park
- Andrew’s Wood
- Shoreham
- Well Hill
- Chelsfield
Bluebell Walks Near London Maps
Do you want to do the same walks? Simply click on the button below the image to download the GPS map. Check my step-by-step guide here for more information on how to upload the maps onto your navigation app.
Final Thoughts on the Bluebell Walks Near London
The bluebell walks near London are a beautiful way to enjoy nature and the changing of the seasons. Taking a walk through bluebell woodland is a magical experience, with the scent of wildflowers and the sparkling sunlight scattered across the bluebells. It’s a great way to get out and enjoy the outdoors, plus it’s free (well, you still need to pay for the journey on public transport to get there)!
So, if you’re looking for a tranquil place where you can find solace and peace of mind whilst working out these leg muscles, be sure to add a bluebell walk to your list of must-do activities in London. So go out, explore, and enjoy this natural wonder that’s right on your doorstep.
The prettiest of all the woodland flowers, the bluebells of England
George Eliot, British Author
And you, what is your favourite bluebell walk? Let me know in the comments below.
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