Farthingstone, Mantles Heath & Everdon Stubbs Bluebell Walk

I always enjoy a trip over to Everdon Stubbs for the Bluebell spectacle. A bit of a different walk this time with a good friend of mine who lives in nearby Cold Higham. Starting point was the village of Farthingstone. I have walked from here before. 

We pick up the footpath that leads through Farthingstone Golf Club. Brings back memories as I played regularly here some twenty years ago. Nobody seems to be playing today though. Such a shame as its a beautiful course. We are heading towards 'Mantles Heath'. A tranquil beauty spot that isn't quite so well known as 'Everdon Stubbs'. The views towards Everdon are superb. Coppicing lets sunlight into the wood, encouraging bluebells and other woodland flowers to flourish. Much of the meadow is acidic grassland where herbs such as cat's-ear, tormentil, sheep's sorrel and heath bedstraw grow.   

 

We get our first sighting of the plentiful Bluebells. They actually spend the majority of their time underground as bulbs, emerging, often in droves, to flower from April onwards. Bluebells are native to western Europe with the UK being a species stronghold. They're associated with ancient woodland and are often used in combination with other species as a clue that a wood is ancient. They reach their greatest densities in the UK’s woods where many thousands of bulbs can exist in one woodland, creating the incredible blue carpets associated with spring. Bluebell woods are believed to be intricately woven with fairy enchantments. Be warned though f you are to pick a bluebell, many believe you will be led astray by fairies, wandering lost forevermore. They are also known as 'fairy flowers', 'witches' thimbles' and 'cuckoo's boots'.

Our walk continues past Snorscomb Mill as we head towards Everdon. 

Once a medieval village, Snorscomb, meaning a ‘many toothed valley', is mentioned in the Doomsday book. The land was enclosed by the Knightley family of Fawsley in 1508 and the village reduced to just the mill, a cottage and a farmhouse, which is how it is today. The 19th century mill is a fantastic looking building with amazing countryside views. We continue into Everdon through the Allotments and past the Cricket pitch. It's a steep walk up through Everdon Stubbs initially. The 'Stubbs' is much better known than 'Mantles Heath' and therefore attracts many more people. 

There are largely two types of Bluebell. The native ones to the UK and the Spanish variety. Cross pollination and hybridisation  can occur which making pure forms quite rare. Native bluebells give off a beautiful sweet aroma. Spanish bluebells have no smell. Native bluebells have droopy heads. Spanish bluebell heads are much more upright. Native bluebells are narrow in shape with rolled back tips. Spanish bluebells are more conical with open tips. You can dig up the Spanish Bluebells though as they are not protected by law. 

Native Bluebells

 

It has been a beautiful walk for sure. The blue in the woods and the yellow in the fields are vibrant. We make our way back towards the village of Farthingstone our starting point.

Apparently the Golf Course at Farthingstone is now closed. A hotel and camping pods are planned. Hopefully the developers will be kind and considerate to the landscape? In total a distance of 7.95 miles was walked.