Bluebell bonanza as weather sparks early blooming

13 hours ago

Phil Harrisonin Rolvenden

Hole Park owner Edward Barham opened his estate to the public in March for the first time to show off the bluebells

BBC Hole Park owner Edward Barham sat in wood surrounded by bluebells in bloom — Hole Park owner Edward Barham opened his estate to the public in March for the first time to show off the bluebells

A country estate in Kent says bluebells have bloomed so early this year the venue has had its earliest ever spring opening.

The gardens at Hole Park in Rolvenden would usually open their doors from the first weekend of April but this year welcomed the public from 28 March.

A park spokesperson said a warmer than usual start to the year, with March temperatures approaching the warmest on record, had already caused many flowering plants to bloom weeks ahead of their usual peak.

Owner Edward Barham made the call to open the park's Bluebell Spectacular because "spring this year is early as we just haven't had as many frosts or much cold weather".

Hole Park Gardens has been open to the public since 1928

Thousands of blooming bluebells in Brick Kiln Wood on the Hole Park Estate, Rolvenden — Hole Park Gardens has been open to the public since 1928

He added: There was no snow on the ground of any consequence and things are ahead of themselves."

Hole Park is renowned for its display of bluebells and in 2027 will be celebrating 100 years of welcoming the public to enjoy the extensive gardens.

With records stretching back decades, the gardening team normally predict their bluebells will flower from early April, sometimes peaking as late as the first few days of May.

However, the flowers are already showing a shimmer of blue and have reached 'level two' on the estate's four-tier bluebell barometer.

"This is nature at its best and this is the first of nature's big displays," said Barham.

"There are some places with snowdrops but they are not widespread, bluebells are a widescale native plant. They are a harbinger of spring and a warm times to come."

Bluebells are not the only flower in bloom at the 200-acre parkland. Magnolias, camelias and fruit trees are blossoming, while tulips, primroses and fritillaries are opening too.

Then, within weeks, Hole Park's wisterias will come into bloom closely followed by colourful displays of azaleas and rhododendrons.

"I just think it's a brilliant marker that summer is here along with the change of the clocks and cuckoos," says Barham.

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