If you go down to the woods today, you're sure of a beautiful sight - bright bluebells are popping up in their thousands across Norfolk. Here's where to find the best of them on an uplifting springtime walk.

1. Wayland Wood, Watton

This sprawling South Norfolk wood is allegedly the setting of the dark 16th Century tale Babes in the Wood. While it looks absolutely stunning at this time of year, the atmosphere amidst the densely packed trees is definitely just that little bit unnerving.

Wayland Wood is also the only place in Norfolk where you can spot The Yellow Star of Bethlehem, a pretty yellow perennial which flowers early in March and might hopefully still be about. So go forth, wannabe botanists!

2. Foxley Woods, Foxley

The largest ancient woodland in Norfolk, Foxley Wood is an exceptional sight when it’s covered in a purple carpet of bluebells. Throw in colourful butterflies, an abundance of woodland wildlife and oodles of other wildflowers and you’ve got yourself a seriously special spring outing.

3. Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, South Walsham

With trails dotted with fairy-sized seats and cute mushroom sculptures, Fairhaven is always a magical prospect – but no more so than when it’s swathed in nodding bluebells. They also host SUP and canoe tours, if you fancy trying to spot the beauties from the water.

4. Walsingham Abbey, Walsingham

The garden and grounds surrounding the striking Walsingham Abbey ruins are ultra famous for their snowdrops, but they also have a seriously lovely display of bluebells in April and May. It’s a fabulously atmospheric place for a wander, full stop.

5. Felbrigg Hall, Felbrigg

With 520 acres of woodland, the National Trust’s Felbrigg Hall is a bluebell spotters paradise around about now. There are also lambs roaming the farm and fluffy chicks in the Walled Garden – spring bliss.

6. Catton Park, Norwich

This North Norwich park is a sweeping expanse of wild parkland that’s always covered in dog walkers. You’ll feel like you’re in the countryside when actually you’re near the ring road! There’s also patches of woodland to explore with, of course, plenty of blooming bluebells.

7. Thursford Wood, Thursford

It is thought that the oak trees in Thursford Wood could be more than 500 years old, making them the oldest in Norfolk. Soak up the ancient magic in the atmosphere as you wend your way through the bluebell display which coats the forest floor around about now.

8. Buckenham Woods, near Strumpshaw

This compact wood is famed for its wildlife and great to visit with kids. Enjoy a yomp “in and out the bluebells” and you might all spot birds, butterflies and dragonflies, too!

9. Lower Wood, Ashwellthorpe

This stretch of woodland is so ancient it was recorded in the Domesday Book. If you’re lucky you might also catch Red, Roe and Muntjac deer bouncing their way through the old trees. Lower Wood isn’t far from the historic market town of Wymondham, if you fancy a stop-off.

Sisland Carr is a small wood to explore (great for little legs) and is alive with bluebells this time of year!

10. Bacton Wood, Bacton 

Beautiful Bacton Wood dates back to Anglo-Saxon times, and you can choose from various marked trails through the purple-peppered woods. You’re also only a short hop from the coast, if you want to make a day of it.

Every year we get a flurry of messages about the bluebell woods we’ve left out, so please let me know if we’ve missed your favourite – assuming you don’t want to keep it all to yourself!