Spring has sprung and what better way to celebrate the end of a stormy winter than a wildflower walk from Hartland Abbey to the sea.
Although the sun didn’t come out on Sunday we did dodge the rain and enjoyed the sights and sounds of the season on our Bluebell Day walk. The bluebells looked spectacular on the top path which winds along through ancient woodland to the Gazebo overlooking Blackpool Mill Mouth and the Atlantic Ocean. Good to do a circular walk and return on the lower path to view the Bluebells from all angles.
On our circular walk we passed Donkeys Munching, Black Sheep and Lambs gamboling on the meadow and heard the occasional wailing of the resident Peacock. We also saw a variety of wildflowers, some earlier than normal in this sheltered location. Bees humming and birds chirping - we spotted two White Butterflies and a Red Admiral, a Buff-tailed and a Red-tailed Bumble Bee.
A constant Chiff-Chaff..ing in the background as we passed abundant Primroses, Red Campion, Greater Stitchwort and Dog Violet and the emerging Ramsons on the trail verges. The vibrant golden Gorse brought us to the end of the trail at the Gazebo. From the top trail we could take in the glorious view over to Stoke Church and the Pleasure House Folly up high on the South West Coast Path lit with wisps of white, a very good year for the Blackthorn blossom.
As we passed by the famous Blackpool Mill Cottage (a popular film location) the coastal meadow and cliffside were spotted with Thrift Sea Pink, patches of Sea Campion, Scurvy Grass and Kidney Vetch.
Hartland Abbey certainly took the brunt of two storms in the Winter, flooding came with Storm Bertie and tree falls with Storm Darragh so congratulations to Lord and Lady Stucley and their team for making sure the Abbey, grounds and gardens were ready to welcome guests in March. While walking we saw uprooted and fallen trees, a sad sight but nature fights back and the new light will encourage new life on the woodland floor.
We spent so long photographing the Bluebells we didn’t have time to visit the Walled Gardens this time but if you are planning a trip there check out Hartland Abbey website for details on the famous Hartland Abbey history, Collections, Exhibitions, the Shrubbery and Walled Gardens. We did have time for a slice of Salt n Carmel cake from the Old Kitchen Tearooms.
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