One of those days in England
The sun is shining, the air feels soft and almost warm and there are patches of blue sky visible between the white, puffy clouds.
It’s early spring in England, and suddenly the call of the wild tugs at our hearts, urging us to get back to nature.
But linger too long and let life put obstacles in the way, and you’ll find winter will come roaring back before you’ve had the chance to heed that call.
So when a perfect spring day turns up, as long as no deadline is imminent, we grab our walking boots, backpack and camera and head for the hills.
Or the woods.
Where to find bluebells in Sussex
Living in Sussex we’re spoilt for choice for woodland walks.
If you want to see guaranteed bluebells there are plenty of official trails.
Arlington near Eastbourne and the woods at Wakehurst are the most well-known and there are a whole host of open gardens in spring, featuring the deleicate blue flower.
But it’s more fun to find a bluebell walk for yourself.
For free.
We went exploring in Clapham Wood in West Sussex, partly because we knew the bluebells would soon be at their best and partly because of its strange folklore.
Is Clapham Wood haunted?
Clapham Wood is one of those rural areas that collects mysteries, murders, ghostly goings-on and reported UFO sightings.
Great beasts are supposed to prowl the undergrowth and ley lines apparently converge here to powerful effect.
Birds are rumoured to fall silent in these woods for no apparent reason.
Film-makers seeking to recreate the Blair Witch Project aesthetic find it’s the perfect location.
But on a sunny April day, we saw no scary stuff.
Just an abundance of blooms and the occasional welcoming local walker.
It was still early in the season when we snatched our day of freedom.
The trees flung their bare branches skywards against the pale blue sky, with just the hint of leaves unfurling, light-limned in the bright sunshine.
We squelched through the mud of winter and old leaf-fall while pheasants stalked us, rustling through the undergrowth and giving the occasional coarse cry, their bright plumage standing out against the brown-and-silver bark.
The clear air was full of twittering birdsong, and butterflies and hummingbird moths dive-bombed our every step.
A single bluebell bears barely a trace of smell yet under the trees the air was soft with the gentlest of sweet perfumes.
Primroses glowed gold in the sunlight and white wood anemones burst through the undergrowth to star the woodland floor.
Walking in Sussex
There are plenty of country walks in Sussex, ranging from long, forced marches across the South Downs to short circular rambles.
If you’re serious about hiking we recommend a good OS map, subscribing to one of the many apps or joining a walking organisation.
In Sussex the terrain is rarely rough enough for you to fear striking out on your own, as long as you have stout footwear, a good sense of time and direction and some basic provisions.
We started our walk at the village of Clapham, parking near the church and following the public footpath from the north side of the graveyard through a field of gentle horses into the woods.
There is a signposted route, with well-maintained stiles, that take you across farmers’ fields, so please respect the livestock and crops.
But there are plenty of off-shoot paths, that take you to different parts of the woods. Some areas are clearly marked private, but most of the woodland is open for public use.
To find the best bluebells, just follow your nose or, as happened to us, listen to the locals who stop to chat and share tips on the hidden paths and treasures.
We meandered around for ages and what should probably have only been a 2 hour walk took us more than four hours to complete, there was so much to see, listen to and, of course, photograph.
The Junction @ Clapham
After all this walking and fresh air you might just need a slice of something sustaining, so why not drop into the delightful café, The Junction at Clapham?
It’s a small and friendly outfit, serving great coffee and delicious cakes.
The Junction Community Shop and Café
Opening times are limited, so check The Junction @ Clapham web page before you go for the latest information.
Where to next?
• Island Life – Isle of Wight
• Let it brew
• How to find ghost towns in Britain
Just how it is visiting six years later, to the day.
The big tree by the Junction Cafe has gone making it brighter and drier on the veranda.
Thanks for the update. We’ll go and check it out again soon. Clapham Wood’s great for a spring walk 🙂