Along with the first hints pof warmer days
to come, spring is one of the most beatuful seasons of the year. Travel editor
David Wickers suggests a variety of places where you will find spring at its
seasonal prime- both close to home and further afield
Summoned by bells
Blickling
Hall in Norfolk
There are few more uplifting sights, especially
after a tough winter, than ancient woodlands densely carpeted in bluebells.
Three Notional Trust (0844 800 1895; www.thenationaltrust.org.uk) properties
famed for their particularyly glorious displays are Blickling Hall in Norfolk
(pictured), Ashridge Estate in Hertfordshire, and Lanhydrock, near Bodmin in
Cornwall.
Floral tributes
Limestone
wall in the Burren on the west coast of Ireland
The Burren, a place grey limestone pavement
in the west of Ireland, is an unlikely stage for one of the greatest floral
displays. The entire 100- squre- mile plateau is like one enormous rock garden.
Look first and you see nothing, but then peer into the grykes, the cracks and
crevices in the bony stone and you will see Mediterranean, Artic and Alpine
species of orchid) with the commonplace. Naturetrek (01962 733051;
www.naturetrek.co.uk) has a four- day trip leaving 22 May, prime time for
flowers, for $754 including half board; flights extra.
Food for free
The
Hell Bay Hotel on the island of Bryher
For the first warm breath of an English
spring, set your compass to the west. Among the seasonal activities on offer on
the Isles of Scilly, for example, is a Wild Food Foraging break organised by
the Hell Bay Hotel (01720 422974; www. Hellbay.co.uk) on the island of Bryher.
Expert Rachel Lambert will take guests to harvest edible plants that will be
used by the hotel’s chef to prepare dinner- served, if it is warm, on the
terrace with views of the Atlantic. Four nights from 12 April costs $ 1318 half
board, including return helicopter flights, guided walks, boat trips and entry
to the Abbey Garden on Tresco.
Green Italy
the
Italian Riviera
In April, the glorious 19th-
century garden on the Italian Riviera are ablaze with colout and frangrance.
Kudu Travel (01722 716167; www. Kudutravel.com) has an eacorted trip that takes
in several, including Villa Hanbury, sited on a promotory above the sea; the
private gardens of the Villa Piacenza Boccanegra, planted with exotic species
by the botanist Ellen Willmott; and Villa Grock, whose eccentricity reflects
the character of the original owner, a clown called Grock. One week from 15
April costs from $ 3185, including meals with wine, entrances, transport and a
ticket to see Punccini’s Turandot in Genoa; fights extra.
Golden gaffs
Sea
Wood Nature Reserve at Whitbarrow
Wild daffodils, icons of British
springtime, can be seen in late March and early April on the Lakeland shores of
Ullswater, where Wordswoth came across his famous ‘host’. But in fact they are
more abundant in the south of Cumbria, in the open woodlands of Willington
Woods near Ulverston, Sea Wood Nature Reserve at Whitbarrow (for more details,
phone 01539 822222 or visit www. Golakes.co.uk). the blooms in Farndale in the
North York Moors National Park- which this year celebrates its 60th
birthday- attract some 40,000 visitors. Thery are best admired along the banks
of the River Dove between Low Mill and Church Houses. There is even a ‘Daffy
Caffy’ along the way and a ‘Daffodil Bus’ that links Hutton- le- Hole with both
ends of the three- mile walk (www.northyorkoors.org.uk/moorsbus).
