Whether it was down to the last minute sneak attack by The Beast from the East or the usual dearth of long, dark evenings, winter has felt particularly long this year. But, spring has finally sprung. It’s still more or less daylight at 7pm. The temperatures have hit double figures again, which we were legitimately starting to doubt would ever happen. Lambs are skipping in the fields, chicks are hatching, and ducklings are taking their first tentative paddles in the local pond. Most importantly, though, spring flowers are in bloom, and we finally have some colour back! It’s time to come out of hibernation, shake off the winter layers and get out in the world again! We’ve put together some of our favourite free places to take in spring in all its glory.
Spring at Regent’s Park
Image courtesy of The Royal Parks
An oasis in the heart of the city, you can very easily forget you’re in central London when you visit Regent’s Park. Regent’s Park is famous for being so close to the zoo, but in the spring you may come for the animals and stay for the flowers. Trees heavy with cherry blossoms line the wide avenues and pathways during the spring months. And, if you venture into the gardens you’ll find beds of beautiful tulips in all colours and varieties. The park boasts the largest grass area in London, so it’s perfect for a kickabout or a picnic among the flowers. It also has a boating lake where you can hire a pedalo and take to the water alongside the ducks.
Like many open spaces in London, access to the park is completely free of charge. Cafes and extra activities within the park may cost, and of course, if you wish to visit the zoo you will need to buy tickets separately.
Wollaton Hall, Nottinghamshire
Wollaton Hall’s biggest claim to fame may be that it was Wayne Manor in The Dark Knight Rises, but it’s also a beautiful place to take in the spring. The hall is set against stunning formal and botanical gardens that have something to offer all year round. Meanwhile, the parkland is home to a lake teeming with ducks and other birds, and around 80 Red deer and 120 Fallow deer. The deer roam freely, as they have done since the 14th century. Early spring is a little soon to see many fawns, but during rutting season from May onwards, the park is a wonderful place to see newborn deer take their first wobbly steps. Remember, though, that deer are wild animals and defensive of their young, so don’t approach or scare them if you go to look.
If the weather takes a turn, as it is prone to in spring, you can retreat into the hall and explore their extensive natural history collection, which includes a gorilla and a giraffe. The hall and park are free to access on foot and have no admittance charges. If you drive there, you will need to pay for parking.
Chatsworth, Derbyshire
Sprawled in rural Derbyshire, Chatsworth House and Gardens is an iconic location at any time of year, not just spring. It’s been featured in a number of films and documentaries, including the most recent adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and a dramatization of the biography of previous resident the Duchess of Devonshire, both of which star Keira Knightley (we’re sure this is no coincidence!). While you can shell out for admittance to the house and formal gardens if you like – and it is worth a look – you can wander the park land beyond the house for free. Among the thousand acres you’ll find carpets of daffodils, herds of sheep raising their young, and numerous species of wild deer.
You can venture to the village of Edensor (pronounced ‘Enza’) within the Chatsworth Estate. Or, you can get lost in Stand Wood, which dates back to medieval times, in search of the Estate’s most famous survival, the Tudor hunting tower.
The Abbey Gardens, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk
Image courtesy of Mark Metzler, licensed under Creative Commons
At 14 acres, the Abbey Gardens in Bury St. Edmunds are much bigger than they appear from the street. The park is completely free to wander around, and is on the site of the ruins of a former Benedictine Abbey. Although the abbey is long gone, the gardens remain and are excellently maintained. There are a number of different gardens like a rose garden, herb gardens and a water garden, all full of spring appeal. The Abbey Gardens also houses an aviary where more exotic varieties of birds are kept. And, there’s a tea room!
If you venture further into the park beyond the ruins you’ll come across the River Lark. The peaceful river used to provide a power supply to the Abbey, but is now home to ducks and other birds. There’s even a designated space to feed them there.
Astley Hall, Lancashire
Image courtesy of Ellie, licensed under Creative Commons
Astley Hall is a hidden gem near Chorley in Lancashire. The hall itself isn’t usually open to the public, but you can access the adjacent Coach House and parkland for free. The Coach House houses the Chorley Remembers Experience, which can be visited free of charge (although donations are welcome), and the cafe. The parkland surrounding the Jacobean building features a lake, woodland and a traditional Victorian walled garden full of springtime cheer. If you do wish to visit the hall, which is famed for its ornate original ceilings, then you can arrange a group tour for a fee.
There are also bowling greens and tennis courts that you can hire, with equipment for hire free of charge as well.
Are there any locations we’ve missed? Get in touch and tell us about the best places to get into the spring spirit in your area!
