Spring is finally here! Why not make the most of the weather and go for a stroll to find some bluebells. Here’s a handy list of a few places you can find them in Southend and a little further out. Remember, Bluebells are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) so please be careful not to tread or pick them. It takes 5 -7 years for them to develop from just a seed to a bulb and if the leaves are crushed, it can take a long time for them to recover.

💜 Pound Wood, Benfleet SS7 2UR
A perfect place to see a fantastic display of bluebells carpeting the woodland floor, so much so that guided walks are arranged yearly with St. Michael’s church. Parking on side roads

💜Betts Wood, SS5 4XD
10 acre natural woodland, filled with bluebells in Spring. Playground adjacent to Betts woods and closest toilets at Hockley Woods

💜 Hockley Woods SS5 4RQ
Follow the yellow trail for the best spots to see bluebells. Car park, playground, toilets & baby changing facilities.

💜Gusted Hall Woods SS9 50T
Gusted Hall have beautiful bluebell woods. There is limited parking
for Gusted Hall Woods on Gusted Hall Lane. Bluebells can be found in Gusted Hall Woods to the North of the car park.

A little further out 🚗

💜Hanningfield Reservoir CM11 1WT
Enter through the Discovery Centre where you can get advice on the
best walks to see the bluebells. There are toilets, a cafe and a shop in
the Discovery Centre which is open 10am to 5pm.

💜 Mill Meadows, CM11 2YX
Nature reserve in Billericay open all year round. No car park but parking on side roads

💜 Norsey Wood CM11 1HA
Parking in the main car park near the
information centre you can follow the easy access trails suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs that takes you right through the bluebells

💜Weald Country Park CM14 5QS
Park in Belvedere car park to be closest to the bluebells or the visitor car park for cafe and toilets.
From The Belvedere car park walk past
Bluebell pond and up the hill which should be covered in blooms.

💜 Thorndon Country Park CM13 3RZ
Bluebells can be found in Childerditch Woods, north of the Visitors Centre. There is a car park at the visitors centre and parking charges apply. There is also limited parking at Little Warley Common.

10 TOP TIPS to Eco Parenting

This week we celebrated Earth Day, which is a global event aiming to highlight the importance of protecting the environment. It serves as an important reminder of our responsibility to care for our planet and protect it for future generations. As parents, one of the most impactful ways we can contribute to this mission is through eco-parenting. 

We spoke with Sam Shelley, co-founder of Eco Essex, a community group to support you on your eco journey. Sam gave us some great tips to share with our readers. 

So how can you get involved? Read the full article here