They've been late coming this year but at last it is bluebell time again.

They won't flower for long so do try to get out and about soon if you're to enjoy them at their best.

Bluebells are so familiar that it's easy to take them for granted but we're really very lucky to have such a spectacle.

Though they do occur in a few other parts of western Europe it's only in the British Isles that bluebells grow in such glorious profusion. Sadly, this may not always be the case: global warming is emerging as a potential threat, since bluebells require a relatively cool climate.

The bluebell is one of 17 species of bulbous plants native to Britain. All are members of the lily family and include plants such as wild daffodil, snakeshead fritillary, spring squill, yellow star-of-Bethlehem and Radnor lily, which survives today on just one Welsh hillside.

Most of these native lilies grow in grassland but some, notably daffodils and bluebells, are equally at home in woodland.

In fact, we often associate bluebells exclusively with woodland, but they thrive just as energetically in grassland when conditions are to their liking, producing magnificent cliff-top displays in western coastal districts from the Scillies to the north of Scotland.

Pembrokeshire islands such as Skomer have no woodland at all but still enjoy wall-to-wall bluebells in April or May.

Far inland, and much closer to home, Monmouthshire hills such as Ysgyryd Fawr at Abergavenny have great drifts of bluebells growing out in the open. In Worcestershire, however, woods are definitely the best places to look for bluebells and the finest display of all is in Shrawley Wood.

Part of this ancient limewood has been planted with conifers, but there are still plenty of limes. They provide a perfect foil for the bluebells. The sight of uninterrupted drifts of bluebells set against the smooth, slender stems of the limes is stunning.

DIRECTIONS

Cross the main road and take the footpath opposite, just to the left of the post office. This leads into Shrawley Wood, where you immediately turn left. Take the second right, just before the ongoing path plunges into conifers, then after a few paces turn right again.

Ignore all branching paths, passing through some of the best lime coppice in the wood. When you come to a waymarked T-junction turn left, then fork right a little further on. You'll soon come to a cross-paths, marked by a fallen waymark post - turn right here. Turn left at another cross-paths a little further on.

The path leads through a block of lime standards and eventually brings you to a junction with the main ride, marked by a massive redwood. A few paces from the redwood there is a post - walk to the post then turn right ie make sure you don't turn right on the main ride, but on to a path which leads through lime coppice.

The path soon swings right into an area of standard limes and descends slightly, bringing you to a major junction by the edge of the wood. Turn left, soon passing Layes Pool and then crossing a stile into the extensive parkland which surrounds Shrawley Wood House.

Two paths are waymarked here - take the one which goes diagonally left. The route may not be entirely apparent at first but as you crest a slight rise you will see the line of the path quite clearly, with two stiles providing further guidance.

As Shrawley Wood House is left behind, another stile gives access to the wood again. The path descends between high banks then crosses a footbridge to arrive at a stile where three paths are waymarked. Take the one which goes to the left along the edge of Shrawley Wood.

Pass Holders Pool and go up a bank then continue along a field edge towards Court Farm. Pass to the left of it and continue in the same direction until you have to cross another stile.

Walk past the end of New Pool then

re-enter the wood. Go to the right, as indicated by a yellow arrow. The path climbs at first, then descends again before meandering its way to another stile which gives access to meadows beside the River Severn.

Turn left and shortly cross another stile. A little further on a path branches left, providing access to the wood again. Fork right, climbing uphill.

As the lime trees give way to conifers and silver birches, look for a relatively faint path on the right which passes through an open area with only a light scattering of trees. It then passes to the left of a big redwood before descending to meet a well-trodden path.

Turn right, following a ridge-top path which soon runs parallel with the river before descending to meet another path. Turn left. Fork right when you come to a junction, then right again at another junction. Fork left at the next to return to The New Inn.

FACTFILE

Start: New Inn, Shrawley, grid ref SO799664.

Length: four miles/6.5km.

Maps: OS Explorer 204, OS Landranger 138 or 150.

Terrain: gently undulating; good paths.

Stiles: Eight.

Parking: Shrawley Picnic Place, behind The New Inn.

Buses: 293/294 Worcester-Kidderminster services stop at The New Inn, Mondays to Saturdays; Traveline 0870 608 2608.

Refreshments: The New Inn (the Rose and Crown is close by too).

DISCLAIMER

This walk has been carefully checked and the directions are believed to be correct at the time of publication. No responsibility is accepted by either the author or publisher for errors or omissions, or for any loss or injury, however caused.