Blackbury Camp Bluebell Woods
Every year social media feeds are full of gorgeous bluebell pictures, for some reason they seem to have popped up in a lot more places in the last few years, along the hedgerows and roadsides.
Blackberry Camp (or Blackberry Castle) is one of those places that is spoken about with great reverence when it comes to the season of bluebell spotting.
Beech Trees and Bluebells
I love the hit on your senses, the newly emerging bright green beach tree leaves that smell amazing when crushed, the damp air as you kick up last year’s fallen leaf mould, the pungent wild garlic and of course the contrast with the bright blue flowers.
My primary school had a wonderful mossy beech wood where we were allowed to play (and climb ridiculously high trees unsupervised, God forbid!) and so I think it brings back happy memories of carefree days.
BLUEBELLS AND afternoon TEA
On this trip I was keen to get out and visit one of our local bluebell woods. This is one of the most accessible woods in the area.
So not for the first time my mum and I set off for Blackbury Camp (between Beer and Sidmouth), spurred on by the promise of afternoon tea at Blackbury Honey Farm.
From a poem by John Clare
What is BLACKBURY CAMP?
Blackbury Camp is an Iron Age hill fort. It offers an easy flat area to walk around perfect if you want to take little ones with a pushchair or your grandmother, plus there’s the opportunity to run up and down and round the outside of the fort.
It’s relatively small but there’s plenty of space for picnics, ball games, dogs and longer walks through the nearby country lanes.
Parking is close and easy but it’s only small carpark.
Of course it’s ideal to visit when the bluebells are in full bloom, but Blackbury camp offers a lovely safe environment all year round.
If you’ve ever wanted to capture the dreamy aesthetic of a bluebell forest but are not too sure of your photography skills, then an ai art generator might help you visualize the magic even before you visit. There’s no denying their seasonal charm but creating something you can keep to enjoy all year round is certainly special.
DIRECTIONS
Where is Blackberry Camp?
Blackbury Camp is in East Devon and is clearly marked with an English Heritage sign off the A3052 coast road between Beer and Sidmouth (turning inland) or from Honiton turn left at the Hare and Hounds Pub.
Follow the B3174 and then turn again at the signs, also directing you to Blackbury Honey Farm. Parking is in a carpark just off the lane about 1/2 mile after the Honey Farm.
Southleigh, Colyton, Devon, EX24 6JE (be careful as this may take you the scenic route). Best advice is to go via the Honey Farm EX24 6JF
FLIP FLOPS OR WELLIES
Accessibility
Flip flops, wellies and pushchairs all possible here but it is still a woodland. When dry a think a mobility scooter would be OK. There is a bit of a slope to get over from the car park (see below for image) and the ground may be uneven. I don’t think it would be easy to push a wheel chair around
There are no facilities. The nearest cafe is Blackberry Honey Farm (no dogs allowed). Also close by is The Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary.
More Places to See Bluebells in Devon and Dorset
I have visited many bluebell locations and local beauty spots at bluebell time, here are a few other recommendations for bluebell woods in East a Devon and West Dorset.
Wootton Fitzpaine Woods, Lamberts Castle and Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary woods are all lovely.
I’ll happily expand this list with your suggestions unless you want to keep them secret! Here’s my extended list of fabulous bluebell woods for you to explore.
Hi! I am Clare and I live in glorious East Devon with my family.
Join me in finding new places to explore in the West Country as well as further afield.
I hope you enjoy reading and taking inspiration from this website. 
Lovely blog. Amazing pictures #adventurecalling
Wow! Your photos are beautiful!
Last time I saw a mass off bluebells was heading up to Helvelyn in the Lake District. Just gorgeous!
#adventurecalling
That’s it! I’m off to find some bluebells to photograph this weekend!
Love your photos! This time of year is always special. Also loving the John Clare quote, think he was from Northamptonshire, or had connections here. Blackbury Camp looks like a beautiful spot, love finding out about these lovely places. Thank you for joining in with #AdventureCalling this week
This looks like a lovely walk. Bluebells are so quintessentially British aren’t they. You know summer is around the corner when these are in bloom. It’s great that the walk is so accessible too. Thanks for joining us on #adventurecalling I hope you can again this week.