Woodland Trust tells us they are one of the last spring flowers to bloom before the woodland canopy closes up and new leaves block out the sunlight. If spring is mild, bluebells respond by flowering earlier. British bluebells have bell shaped flowers on one side of stem with cream anthers – not to be confused with the Spanish bluebells or their hybrid, which has wider leaves and flowers arranged in a spiral around the stem.
![Selwyns Wood Nature Reserve is a small mixed semi natural woodland near Heathfield, mainly oak, birch and sweet chestnut, but with a few old big beech trees and flora to enjoy.](https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjg2ZWJmMDkwLTkxOWUtNDVmMy1hN2Q5LWY3MmY3MGQ0Yzg3MDowZWZiMWQyMS1lMTNmLTRjMmItOWM3Mi0wZDkzNjk0NTk1YmQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
13. Selwyns Wood
Selwyns Wood Nature Reserve is a small mixed semi natural woodland near Heathfield, mainly oak, birch and sweet chestnut, but with a few old big beech trees and flora to enjoy. Photo: Elaine Hammond
![Sheffield Park and Garden in Uckfield is an historic parkland looked after by the National Trust. It forms a larger footprint for the Sheffield Park estate and boasts some spectacular walks on a network of paths.](https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjkwM2NmZGRlLWZjNjUtNDBiZS05MGFmLTgyZmM4NDBiYzRkYTo4MTI2YTA0Ny03M2IyLTQ5YjgtOTA0YS0yMDU1MTkwNWY4Mzc=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
14. Sheffield Park and Gardens
Sheffield Park and Garden in Uckfield is an historic parkland looked after by the National Trust. It forms a larger footprint for the Sheffield Park estate and boasts some spectacular walks on a network of paths. Photo: Steve Robards
![Slindon Estate, just off the A27 at Slindon near Arundel, is looked after by the National Trust. There are 3,500 acres of Sussex woodland, farmland, downland and pretty village all divided by paths, hedges, lanes and tracks.](https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjdiNmM5YzJlLTVlYmEtNDk0NS05Zjc1LWNkOGFkYTFhNWZmZDowZGY1ZDAwMC0wYzliLTRlZWUtODgyYy1mMDJlODhlZTNiYTI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
15. Slindon Estate
Slindon Estate, just off the A27 at Slindon near Arundel, is looked after by the National Trust. There are 3,500 acres of Sussex woodland, farmland, downland and pretty village all divided by paths, hedges, lanes and tracks. Photo: National Trust
![Standen Estate in East Grinstead has seen a major restoration of the 12-acre hillside garden, looked after by the National Trust. It showcases year-round seasonal highlights, including bluebells, and an award-winning plant collection. On the wider estate, footpaths lead out into the woodlands, Ashdown Forest and wider High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.](https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjljMTM2ZTBiLTE1MmQtNGZjZS04YWI2LWQ3YmY5ZGRjOTY1ZDpkNWRhYzgzZC1kMzNkLTQ5Y2YtYjJkZC0wZDI1NjQ0YmMxNTI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
16. Standen
Standen Estate in East Grinstead has seen a major restoration of the 12-acre hillside garden, looked after by the National Trust. It showcases year-round seasonal highlights, including bluebells, and an award-winning plant collection. On the wider estate, footpaths lead out into the woodlands, Ashdown Forest and wider High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Photo: Steve Robards