Best bluebell displays a short drive from Romford in Essex

More than half the world’s population of bluebells grow in the UK, blooming in a beautiful display of a blue and violet each spring.

These delicate, bell-shaped flowers carpet Essex woods from April, replacing the yellows of earlier-blooming daffodils.

The Essex Wildlife Trust urges visitors to stick to marked paths to protect these bluebells (Image: Essex Wildlife Trust)

To protect these flowers for future generations, Essex Wildlife Trust urges visitors to stick to marked pathways.

Bluebells take from five to seven years to establish and even minor damage can dramatically impact their survival rates.

Damage to the leaves can prevent the flowers from photosynthesising, causing the plant to die.

Bluebells displays can be seen at lots of woodlands close to Romford (Image: Essex Wildlife Trust)

Bluebells thrive in ancient woodland like those in Essex.

Essex Wildlife Trust manages several nature reserves offering prime bluebell displays, with all locations a relatively short drive away from Romford.

Pound Wood nature reserve in Thundersley

Pound Wood nature reserve is among the largest remaining ancient woodland in south east Essex.

Visitors can enjoy wonderful bluebell displays on a walk through the connected Tile Wood and Little Haven nature reserves, followed by tea and cake in the nearby Belfairs Nature Discovery Centre.

Hanningfield Reservoir Nature Discovery Centre in Billericay

For a family-friendly outing, the Hanningfield Reservoir Nature Discovery Centre in Billericay offers a 'Wind in the Willows' trail through bluebell-dotted woodland.

The centre also offers panoramic reservoir views for a relaxing end to your trail.

Shut Heath Wood nature reserve in Great Totham

A bit further afield, Shut Heath Wood nature reserve features a serene woodland just below the crest of the Great Totham Ridge, entirely carpeted with bluebells and other spring flowers, like cuckoo flower, primrose, dog violet and bugle.

Bedfords Park Nature Discovery Centre in Havering-atte-Bower

Right on our doorstep, Bedfords Park Nature Discovery Centre offers a chance to see large numbers of bluebells, while overlooking the hustle and bustle of London.

The neighbouring woodland is accessible even though the centre remains closed.

Weeleyhall Wood nature reserve in Weeley

Situated in Weeley, Weeleyhall Wood nature reserve is the furthest drive from Romford at around 90 minutes, but it's certainly worth a visit. It is one of Tendring's finest surviving woods, where bluebells and yellow archangel plants create a sea of colours.