Signs
of Spring
Enjoy the colours, flavours and wildlife of Spring in the East of England - with our special information sheet highlighting seasonal activities and events.
Contents
Daffodils 1 Bird Song 3 Bluebells 4 Lambing Time 4
Daffodils
These trumpet-shaped flowers herald the start of spring, with their colourful blooms. Fantastic massed displays can be viewed in many of the region’s civic parks and gardens. Places to visit include:
Bedfordshire
The Embankment (Bedford) Set in the heart of the town centre, these formal Victorian gardens offer flowers and foliage beside one of England’s finest river settings. +44 (0)1234 215226. www.bedford.gov.uk
The Swiss Garden (Old Warden, nr. Biggleswade) Late Regency garden created in the 1820’s by Lord Ongley. Thatched buildings, ponds and spectacular grotto/fernery. Open daily, 1000-1600. Admission charge. +44 (0)1767 627927. www.shuttleworth.org
Woburn Abbey 21 acres of informal gardens, mainly grass with some borders and specimen trees. Open daily, 1000-1630. Admission charge. +44 (0)1525 290333. www.woburnabbey.co.uk Cambridgeshire
Cambridge This famous University city is noted for its wonderful patchwork of parks and gardens. Visit Christ’s Pieces (around 10,000 bulbs), Jubilee Gardens at Jesus Green (around 40,000 bulbs) and The Backs (where you can enjoy a punt ride beside the daffodils). +44 (0)871 226 8006. www.visitcambridge.org
Wimpole Hall and Home Farm (Arrington, nr. Royston) Glorious display of daffodils and narcissus in full bloom. They were Elsie Bambridge’s favourite flower – she was the last owner of Wimpole. Open Saturday 29 March to Thursday 3 April, daily, 1030-1700. Admission charge. +44 (0)1223 206000. www.wimpole.org
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The village of Thriplow (nr. Royston) holds an annual Daffodil Weekend on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 April (1100-1700). This annual tradition was started in 1969, in an attempt to raise money for repairing the church. The village is transformed by its massed displays of bright yellow daffodils - alongside the road, on public places and within private village gardens. Visitors can explore, plus enjoy other activities. +44 (0)1763 208538. www.thriplow.org
Essex
Bridge End Gardens (Saffron Walden) Beautifully restored listed Grade II Victorian garden. Open daylight hours. Admission free. +44 (0)1799 510510. www.uttlesford.gov.uk
Castle Park (Colchester) Splendid Victorian park, set around the Norman castle keep in the town centre. Formal planting and historic features. +44 (0)1206 282920. www.visitcolchester.com
Southend-on-Sea This popular seaside resort is famous for its award-winning parks and gardens. See massed displays of daffodils at the Cliff Gardens and Southchurch Park. +44 (0)1702 215120. www.visitsouthend.co.uk
Hertfordshire
Knebworth House, Gardens and Park (nr. Stevenage) Tranquil gardens, with walks through the daffodils in the Wilderness and Woodland areas. Open from Saturday 15 March, 1100-1700. Admission charge. +44 (0)1438 812661. www.knebworthhouse.com
Norfolk
Blickling Hall, Garden and Park (nr. Aylsham) Colourful garden surrounding magnificent Jacobean mansion. Spring offers a wondrous display of over 2,000 hyacinths, 100,000 daffodils, 3,000 tulips and a host of magnificent magnolia trees. There are guided tours on most days at 1400. Open from 15 March, Wednesday to Sunday, 1015-1715. Admission charge. +44 (0)1263 738030. www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Oxburgh Hall (Oxborough, nr. Swaffham) Moated manor house built 1482, with surrounding gardens. Open from 15 March, Monday to Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, 1100-1700. Admission charge. +44 (0)1366 328258. www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Langley School (nr. Loddon) Annual Daffodil Day on Sunday 30 March (1000-1600), featuring massed displays of daffodils, plus a country fair with crafts and entertainment. Admission charge. +44 (0)1508 528812. www.langleyschool.co.uk
Suffolk
Kentwell Hall and Gardens (Long Melford, nr. Sudbury) Beautiful moated red-brick Tudor manor with extensive gardens. Open for spring bulbs on Sundays from the 10 February, 1100-1600. Admission charge. +44 (0)1787 310207. www.kentwell.co.uk
Melford Hall (Long Melford) Celebrated Elizabethan house. Ancient deer park and Edwardian style gardens. Open from 22 March, Wednesday to Sunday, 1330-1700. Admission charge. www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Nowton Park (Bury St. Edmunds) Country park with woodlands, pasture, ponds and mature trees. Lime Avenue comes alive with massed displays of daffodils (over 100,000). +44 (0)1284 757067. www.stedmundsbury.gov.uk
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Take a wander in our ancient woodlands, which in spring are filled with bird song. Places to visit include:
Balls Wood (nr. Hertford, Hertfordshire) - a mix of old Hornbeam, with areas of Ash, Field Maple and Conifer. Butterflies, breeding birds and insects. Several small ponds. Good for spring birdsong and wildflowers. www.wildlifebcnp.org
Bradfield Woods (nr. Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk) - one of Britain's finest ancient woodlands. Under continuous traditional management since 1252. Butterflies, Nightingale, deer and spring flowers (Oxlip). www.suffolkwildlife.co.uk
Brampton Wood (nr. Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire) - comprises Oak, Ash and Field Maple. Supports wide variety of plants and animals. Particularly noted for butterflies, birds, Dormice and Wild Pears. Second largest ancient woodland in county. www.wildlifebcnp.org
Foxley Wood (nr. Dereham, Norfolk) - largest remaining ancient woodland in county, comprising Oak, Field Maple and Lime. Spring and summer flora, fungi, woodland birds and butterflies. www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk
Maulden Wood (nr. Ampthill, Bedfordshire) - mix of semi-natural broadleaf woodland, acidic grassland and Conifer plantations, home to Dormice, spring wildflowers, Muntjac Deer and Adder. One of the county’s largest remnants of ancient woodland. www.forestry.gov.uk
Monks Wood National Nature Reserve (nr. Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire) - largest wood in county, comprising Oak, Ash and Hazel, with rides, glades and ponds. Bluebells, butterflies, Muntjac Deer, Nightingale and Woodcock. www.englishnature.org.uk
Norsey Wood (nr. Billericay, Essex) - ancient coppiced woodland (Oak, Sweet Chestnut and Hornbeam). Covers 175 acres, with its history dating back some 400 years. Variety of flora and fauna, including Bluebells, woodpecker and fungi. www.basildon.gov.uk
RSPB Wolves Wood (nr. Hadleigh, Suffolk) - ancient woodland, with a network of rides and 46 ponds. The reserve is best visited early on a spring morning for a variety of birdsong, including Nightingales from mid-April to mid-May. www.rspb.org.uk
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Don’t miss the special Nightingale Festival Week at Paxton Pits Nature Reserve (nr. St. Neots, Cambridgeshire) www.paxton-pits.org.uk - running from Saturday 3 to Saturday 10 May (various times). Join local experts for guided walks and talks around the reserve – and hear these wonderful songsters in full voice. Admission charge. +44 (0)1480 406795.
RSPB Titchwell Marsh Nature Reserve (nr. Hunstanton, Norfolk) www.rspb.org.uk has ‘spring’ guided walks in March: Monday 3, Wednesday 5, Thursday 6, Monday 10, Wednesday 12, Thursday 13, Monday 17, Wednesday 19, Thursday 20, Monday 24 to Friday 28 and Monday 31. 0930 (Monday, Thursday and Friday); 1300 (Tuesday and Wednesday). Spot avocets and marsh harriers. Admission charge. +44 (0)1485 210779.
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Dawn Chorus Walks Pre-booking is essential for these events.
Saturday 29 March (0600) - Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden (South Walsham, Norfolk). Includes a boat trip and breakfast. Admission charge. +44 (0)1603 270449. www.fairhavengarden.co.uk 3 www.visiteastofengland.com 3 Produced by East of England Tourism Sunday 6 April (0615-0830) - How Hill National Nature Reserve (nr. Ludham, Norfolk). An early morning exploration aboard the ‘Electric Eel’ boat. Tea and croissants. Admission charge. +44 (0)1692 678763. www.broads-authority.gov.uk
Sunday 13 April (0800-1030) - RSPB Strumpshaw Fen Nature Reserve (nr. Norwich, Norfolk). Admission charge. +44 (0)1603 715191. www.rspb.org.uk
Saturday 19 April (0645-0930) - Hinchingbrooke Country Park (Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire). Bacon roll, tea and coffee. Admission charge. +44 (0)1480 451568. www.huntsdc.gov.uk
Friday 25 April (0500-0700) - Lackford Lakes Nature Reserve (nr. Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk). Admission charge. +44 (0)1284 728706. www.suffolkwildlife.co.uk
Saturday 26 April (0430) - Brandon Country Park (Suffolk). Includes a breakfast bap and hot drink. Admission charge. +44 (0)1842 810185. www.suffolk.gov.uk
Saturday 26 April and Saturday 3 May (0430) - Abberton Reservoir (Layer-de-la-Haye, nr. Colchester, Essex). Includes BBQ breakfast. Admission charge. +44 (0)1206 738172. www.essexwt.org.uk
Saturday 26 April and Sunday 25 May (0600-0900) - Welney Wetland Centre (nr. March, Cambridgeshire). Admission charge. +44 (0)1353 860711. www.wwt.org.uk/welney
Sunday 27 April and Saturday 3 May (0430-0830) - Hanningfield Reservoir Visitor Centre (Billericay, Essex). Full cooked breakfast included. Admission charge. +44 (0)1268 711001. www.essexwt.org.uk
Saturday 3 May (0445-0745) - Marston Vale Millennium Country Park (Marston Moretaine, nr. Bedford, Bedfordshire). Includes English breakfast. Admission charge. +44 (0)1234 767037. www.marstonvale.org
Sunday 4 May (0730-1000) - Sheringham Park (Norfolk). Coffee and croissant provided. +44 (0)1263 820550. www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Sunday 4 May (0400-0700) - Thornham Walks (Thornham Magna, nr. Eye, Suffolk). Cooked breakfast available in the Forge Tearooms. Admission charge. +44 (0)1379 783035. www.thornham.org.uk
Sunday 4 May (0430-0700) - Wandlebury Country Park (Babraham, nr. Cambridge, Cambridgeshire). Hot soup provided. Admission charge. +44 (0)1223 248706. www.cpswandlebury.org
Sunday 4 May (0400-0600) - Wolves Wood (nr. Hadleigh, Suffolk). +44 (0)1473 328006. www.rspb.org.uk
Sunday 4 May (0445) - Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve (nr. Ely, Cambridgeshire). Bacon roll, tea and coffee provided. Admission charge. +44 (0)1353 720274. www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Sunday 4, 11, 18 and 25 May (0500) - RSPB Rainham Marshes Nature Reserve (Purfleet, Essex). Admission charge. +44 (0)1708 899840. www.rspb.org.uk
Monday 5 May (0430-0730) - High Woods Country Park (Colchester, Essex). Includes cooked breakfast. Admission charge. +44 (0)1206 853588. www.visitcolchester.com
Saturday 10 May (0500-0800) - Paxton Pits Nature Reserve (nr. St. Neots, Cambridgeshire). Admission free. +44 (0)1480 451568. www.paxton-pits.org.uk
Saturday 10 May (0700-1000) - Marston Vale Millennium Country Park (Marston Moretaine, nr. Bedford, Bedfordshire). +44 (0)1234 767037. www.marstonvale.org
Saturday 10 and Saturday 17 May (0500-0800) - Pensthorpe (Fakenham, Norfolk). Includes wholesome cooked breakfast in café. Admission charge. +44 (0)1328 851465. www.pensthorpe.com
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Bluebells
Enjoy the spectacular carpets of these lavender-blue flowers. Places to visit include:
Bedfordshire
Moggerhanger Park (nr. Bedford) Enjoy the bluebells in the woodland at Georgian ‘Grade I listed’ Moggerhanger, from Saturday 26 April to Monday 5 May, daily, 1100-1600. Admission charge. +44 (0)1767 641006. www.moggerhangerpark.co.uk
Cambridgeshire
Waresley and Gransden Woods (nr. St. Neots) Adjoining ancient Oak/Ash woodlands. Home to many breeding birds, butterflies and insects. In spring the woodland floor becomes a carpet of bluebells. +44 (0)1954 713500. www.wildlifebcnp.org
Essex
Hedingham Castle (Castle Hedingham) Head to the ‘Valley Walk’ at this fine 12th C. castle keep, which in April/May is noted for its display of bluebells. Open Sunday to Thursday, 1000-1700. Admission charge. www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk
Hertfordshire
Ashridge Estate (nr. Berkhamsted) Ancient woodland, commons and chalk downland. Head to the visitor centre, where you can follow a trail to see the masses of bluebells in spring. +44 (0)1494 755557. www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Norfolk
Blickling Hall, Garden and Park (nr. Aylsham) Magnificent Jacobean mansion. Discover the bluebells hidden in the woods - with guided tours on Wednesday 7 and Sunday 11 May (1030-1300). Admission charge. +44 (0)12653 738030. www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Suffolk
Haughley Park (nr. Stowmarket) Imposing Jacobean manor house is noted for its bluebell displays (around 20 acres). See them on two special Sundays (27 April and 4 May), 1400-1730. Admission charge. +44 (0)1359 240701. www.haughleyparkbarn.co.uk
Lambing Time
Take the children to cuddle and feed the friendly new-born lambs at our farmyard attractions. Places to visit include:
Bedfordshire
Bottle-feed the lambs at Mead Open Farm (Billington, nr. Leighton Buzzard). Open daily, 1000-1830. Admission charge. +44 (0)1525 852954. www.meadopenfarm.co.uk
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Cambridgeshire
Wimpole Hall and Home Farm (Arrington, nr. Royston) have lambing days from Saturday 29 March to Thursday 3 April; Saturday 5 to Wednesday 9 April; and Saturday 12 to Wednesday 16 April, 1000-1700. You might even witness a live birth. Admission charge. +44 (0)1223 206000. www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Heading north, see spring come alive at Sacrewell Farm and Country Centre (Thornhaugh, nr. Peterborough), from Saturday 1 March onwards (0930-1700). This 18th C. mill and country farm offers a chance to bottle-feed the lambs. Admission charge. +44 (0)1780 782254. www.sacrewell.org.uk
Essex
Marsh Farm Country Park at South Woodham Ferrers has a Lambing Weekend on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 March (1000-1600). See lambs being born, plus help bottle-feed them. Admission charge. +44 (0)1245 321552. www.marshfarmcountrypark.co.uk
Hertfordshire
Visit the animal nursery at Willows Farm Village (London Colney), home to newborn lambs and their proud mums. Open daily, 1000-1730. Admission charge. +44 (0)870 129 9718. www.willowsfarmvillage.com
Head north for the sights and sounds of the new born lambs at Standalone Farm (Letchworth Garden City). Open daily, 1100-1700. Admission charge. +44 (0)1462 686775. www.letchworth.com
Norfolk
See the lambs being born at Snettisham Park (nr. Hunstanton) – then help to bottle-feed them. Open daily, 1000-1700. Admission charge. +44 (0)1485 542425. www.snettishampark.co.uk
Get hands-on with the lambs at Wroxham Barn’s Junior Farm - with bottle-feeding sessions from Saturday 9 February, daily, 1000-1700. Admission charge. +44 (0)1603 783911. www.wroxham-barns.co.uk
Suffolk
Head to Easton Farm Park (nr. Woodbridge) to see and help feed the little lambs. Open from Saturday 15 March, daily, 1030-1800. Admission charge. +44 (0)1728 746475. www.eastonfarmpark.co.uk
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