You can get there easily on the Tube
If you’re on the hunt for a magical stroll in London, you’re in luck – particularly if you’re patient. With bluebells set to blossom in late March or early April (we’re yet to see), you can hop on the Central line and take a wander amid the flowers.
Bluebells typically bloom from late March until mid-May, but a gentle spring can coax them to emerge a tad earlier, as per The Woodland Trust. One of the prime locations for Londoners to see them is Chalet Wood.
Nestled within Wanstead Park, Chalet Wood is conveniently accessible from either Wanstead or Redbridge Tube stations. There are various species of bluebells, but the one indigenous to the UK is fittingly dubbed the British Bluebell.
It also boasts some delightfully quaint monikers such as Cuckoo’s Boots, Lady’s Nightcap and Witches’ Thimbles.
For those needing to recharge after their amble, there’s a cafe in the park overlooking Heronry Pond named Wanstead Tea Hut, open until 6pm daily.
For the more intrepid, why not embark on an extended walk across Wanstead Flats or trace the River Roding all the way to Barking?
Or, if you’re in East London for the bluebells and fancy extending your adventure, why not venture up into Essex to spot some deer in Epping Forest?
If you travel on the Central line to its most easterly terminus (approximately 50 minutes from Holborn station), you’ll arrive at Epping Underground station, located directly adjacent to Epping Forest (although any station from Buckhurst Hill onwards provides convenient access).
This enchanting forest, positioned between the River Lea and the River Roding, has multiple entry points along its eastern perimeter. The expansive woodland, grassland, heath, streams, bogs and ponds extend from Epping in the north to Chingford in the south, where it then tapers into a green corridor reaching into East London as far as Forest Gate.
Fondly known as ‘The Cockney Paradise’ owing to its popularity amongst East Londoners, it’s a haven of walking routes and wildlife. The Essex Way, beginning at Epping Station, covers an impressive 81 miles all the way to Harwich – though we wouldn’t suggest tackling it in one go!
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