Waresley & Gransden Woods

Welcome to waresleywood.co.uk, a website dedicated to providing information on all topics relating to the Waresley and Gransden Woods reserves of The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire.

News - 15/04/2026 (A Bluebell & Wildflower Update)

At long last the paths within the woods have dried out. Prolonged periods of summery weather have made the going firm underfoot, just in time for the bluebell visitors. However, sturdy footwear should still be worn, just in case! As always in a natural environment, visitors should take care and be aware of their surroundings and keep to the paths at all times.

One of the paths in the wood still remains temporarily closed until the ground dries enough for the removal of ruts along it. This closure means that the first section of the re-profiled "main ride" has become a cul de sac, without exit. The second, newly profiled ride section remains closed for a prolonged period to allow the ground to resettle and re-generate. Please respect the Trust's wishes by not entering these areas.

15/04/2026 - another bluebell update after our visit yesterday. In the five days since our previous visit, the bluebells continue to flower in ever increasing numbers. There are lovely vistas of blueness in all the areas where bluebells are found.

15/04/2026 - early purple orchids have also made their flowering debut for 2026. We spotted five plants flowering along the south path, all perilously close to the path edge. Please tread carefully!

Click on this link to browse our latest Sightings of 2026. So far 40 species out of 125 have been seen or heard.

15/04/2026 - an important food source for orange tip butterfly caterpillars, the cuckoo flower or lady's smock, has started flowering in the wood's glade. This is a damp area of grassland within the wood, where many wildflowers and insects are to be found throughout the spring and summer months.

10/04/2026 - this update covers our first bluebell viewing visit. As you can see, the bluebells are flowering in ever increasing numbers. I was surprised at their progress, considering their "peak blueness" is usually during the last week in April and the first week in May. It looks like the peak may be earlier this year.