London bell rides will never be better than they are now

With the tide of better weather, seas of blue and purple bluebells have arrived to grace Britain’s woodlands once again this spring. For Londoners, getting out and seeing this beautiful natural spectacle is a special treat, especially if you’re in a busier area.

One of the best places to do this is in Croydon. Coulsdon Common, in the south of the borough, is home to beautiful meadows and woodland areas which are covered with bluebells at this time of year.

The best part is in a place called Rydons Wood, now part of Coulsdon Common. Coulsdon Heritage has posted directions for the best route to take to enjoy as many bells as possible.

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They said to start you should get to Rydons Wood Close and follow it to the top of the pipe path. Then walk along Stites Bottom to Coal Post on Stites Hill Road. It’s only a short walk, but it’s full of quiet woods and a sheet of blue flowers.

Pip Toogood from Coulsdon Heritage said: “There are so many bellwoods around here.” Devilsden Wood, nestled in Happy Valley near Rydons Wood, is also great for bluebells, Pip said. It’s about a 20 minute walk from Stites Hill Road so you can continue your walk to another beautiful green area.

Coulsdon Common also has a grand history, with the southern section of the forest belonging to Coulsdon Manor in former times, Coulsdon Heritage said. At the time it was known as Stites Coppice. It was later bought by the City of London Corporation in 1924.

The northern section is called Reddings Wood on the tithe map of Coulsdon from 1837, reports Coulsdon Heritage. This part was originally part of the Taunton Manor estate, later Taunton Farm. This too was bought by the City of London Corporation some time later in 1936.

The area has been carefully maintained by the Downlands Partnership – clearing brush and reintroducing felling – an ancient practice of forest maintenance. This in turn encouraged the spread of the bell in the area.

Getting to Rydon Close for the start of the trail is pretty straightforward. You can take the train to East Croydon and from East Croydon station take the 466 bus to Hawarden Road – a 12 minute walk from Rydons Wood Close. In fact, you could even reverse on Stites Hill Road from this stop.

Coulsdon Heritage is now on Xformerly known as Twitter, where Pip said more pictures of the bells are to be posted.

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