Best Bluebell Walks in Northamptonshire

Spring is a wonderful time for outdoor family photography sessions, not least because the bluebells in Northamptonshire (and the rest of the UK) are out in bloom. Did you know the UK is home to nearly half of the world's bluebell population?

We are so lucky round here, we have some beautiful bluebell woods at our disposal. They tend to bloom from the end of April to the middle of May but the bluebells can look their best at different times depending on the woods they are in!

The Best Bluebell Walks in Northamptonshire

If you just want to go for a wonder and take in the beauty of the stunning carpets of bluebells then here are some great suggestions all the family can enjoy. They're not all suitable if you're booking a bluebell photoshoot as some are on private estates where professional photography is not permitted.

Everdon Stubbs (Daventry)

Everdone Stubbs is absolutely beautiful and my go-to woods for family shoots. There are a number of entry points to the woods from the road that goes around the whole wood. Parking is mostly on the road and can be a bit tricky depending on the time of day that you go. The bluebells are visible from the road so you really don't need to walk far if you're brining little people with you! There are paths that could be suitable with a buggy but you'll be a bit more limited.

Hazelborough Woods (Silverstone)

There's plenty of free parking but a bit of a walk to reach the best bluebells from the car park. There are picnic areas and dogs are welcome (but please keep them on a lead around the bluebells). The paths are fine for bringing a buggy, but there is no circuit for easy access so you would have to double back on yourselves.

Badby Woods (Daventry)

Owned by the Fawsley Estate, Badby Woods is open to the public and is famous for its Bluebells. You enter the wood through what is left of a fantastic gatehouse, might be a bit narrow for a buggy and some of the smaller paths can be quite rough going so you might want to leave it behind. The views over Badby village and the surrounding countryside are beautiful. There is a small car park and the woods aren't that big.

High Wood and Meadow (Daventry)

High Wood and Meadow is a nature reserve between Farthingstone and Preston Capes that is managed by Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire.You can park at the end of Mantles Heath Wood and walk along the edge of the wood to get to the bluebells. You've also got two grassland fields you can walk across.

Cotton Manor (Guilsborough)

Cotton Manor Gardens are beautiful and have a real blanket of bluebells. There is an admission fee here (£9 for adults and £3.50 for children, under 5's are free) and dogs aren't allowed in the gardens, but there's plenty of parking and a fab Stableyard Cafe and a Plant Nursery so lots to do and see.

Taking your own photographs

The most important thing to remember is that bluebells are a protected species and above everything you must never stand/sit on them! Here are some tips to help you take photos either of just the flowers or your family in them;

1. Go out early in the morning or later in the day. This is when the woods will be less busy so you won't have to worry about editing people out of your photos. The light is also great at these times, as mid day light can be quite harsh.
2. Whist I've just said mid day light is harsh, the bluebells can look great at this time as the strong sunlight shining through can make them look their most blue! It's just not so good for taking photos of people as the sun shining directly down can cause dark circles under the eyes!
3. If you want photos of your children and family in the bluebells your clothing choice is really important. Light, pastel colours work really well. Creams, greys and light pinks are perfect. A pop of yellow/mustard in your accessories can also compliment the bluebells. Avoid clothes with cartoons/big logos, stripes and too much of a pattern as all these things detract from your faces in the final photographs.
4. Shoot just after it has rained. The greenery will be looking vibrant and rain gives the bluebells a good pick me up. Get in close to the bluebells and capture some water droplets on them.
5. Try a different angle. Get down low and shoot through the bluebells, or try a wide angle lens (or the wide angle setting on your phone). If you are shooting with your phone, try turning it upside down and holding it close to the ground for a different perspective.
6. Think about your composition. There's a great opportunity for 'leading lines' (where your eye is drawn to when you're looking at the photograph) by using the winding paths that weave through the woods. Try and keep your verticals (trees) straight up, not on an angle and the same with the horizon line, it should be straight.
7. Be aware of clutter. There are often loads of stray branches and leaves scattered about the bluebells and these can make your photos look messy. If it's safe to do so without disturbing the bluebells it's much easier to remove them before you take the photo, rather than having to edit them out on the computer afterwards.
8. If all this sounds like a lot of hard work, let me do it for you. You can book your own shoot, where you just have to turn up and enjoy some quality family time while I take some wonderful photographs of you all.

Printing your photographs

Leaving the beautiful photographs you've taken on your camera or phone is a crime! Print them out and get them in an album or on the wall! If you've booked a session with me, they will make the perfect family portrait to hang on the wall. I offer the most amazing quality Pro Canvas, Metal and Acrylic pieces, that are handmade in Italy and can be designed to suit your interior design. Amalfi Panels are also perfect for any modern or traditional home. All wall art ordered comes with the matching digital image with my compliments so you can share with your friends and family online.

 

Again, most importantly

If we want these flowers to be around year after year we must all remember that bluebells are a protected species. You must never pick them (you can buy artificial bluebells on Amazon if you want to look like your child is holding a bunch!) and never stand on them (even the greenery) as they can take years to recover after footfall damage.

Book your session today

Spaces are very limited as the bluebells aren't around for long, so book your session today to secure your place.

hello@mirandawalton.co.uk | 07725 084976