SPRING has arrived and with it an invitation by the National Trust to discover a sea of bluebells on its well-protected land.

With more than half the global population of bluebells flowering in UK woods, Britain’s beautiful blue spring is a quintessential part of our native landscape. And the National Trust is one of the most important organisations in the UK for bluebells as a quarter of the Trust’s woodland is ancient or semi-natural, the ideal habitats for bluebells to flourish.

Matthew Oates, a naturalist for the National Trust, said: “The bluebell starts growing in January with its sole purpose to flower before the other woodland plants. However, timing of flowering depends on elevation, latitude, aspect, soils, geology and local climate conditions. They depend on warm ground conditions to help them grow.

“The true beauty of our bluebells – the intense blue colour, the delicate scent, the view – makes them an essential and special element to our springtime experience.”

The native bluebell species can be identified by its delicate scent, intense blue colour and flowers that droop down like a bell along one side of the stem. Bluebells usually burst into flower between April and May, but as they depend on warm ground temperatures to help them grow, can often appear earlier in the year.

* Hinton Ampner, Bramdean, near Alresford (01962 771305): Visitors can explore acres of ancient woodland surrounding this quintessentially English landscape. Stroll slowly through glorious beech avenues and drink in the bluebell phenomenon that appears here. Hinton welcomes picnickers in its woods, and there are woodland ‘sofas’ carved out of fallen tree trunks where you can sit and admire the view. It is possible also to join an organised spring walk tomorrow (Saturday) or May 11, from 1pm-3pm, taking in the bluebells and followed by tea. To book, call 0844 2491895.

* The Vyne, near Basingstoke (01256 883858): Extensive woods fringing this former Tudor estate reveal a hazy blue carpet of bluebells, which visitors can wander past at their leisure, along woodland paths. The surrounding meadows and parkland offer tranquil walks and the chance to really get away from it all, with plenty of opportunity to spot all sorts of wildlife and wildflowers.