{"id":24635,"date":"2022-05-20T08:58:43","date_gmt":"2022-05-20T07:58:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jamesbellphotography.co.uk\/blog\/?p=24635"},"modified":"2022-05-20T08:58:44","modified_gmt":"2022-05-20T07:58:44","slug":"the-rannerdale-bluebells","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jamesbellphotography.co.uk\/blog\/lake-district-walks\/the-rannerdale-bluebells","title":{"rendered":"The Rannerdale Bluebells"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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While now they\u2019re fairly well known, the Rannerdale Bluebells<\/a>\u00a0used to be something of a hidden gem familiar only to locals and a few visitors from outside of Cumbria. Nowadays, the knowledge of this spectacular natural display has spread far and wide.<\/p>

It\u2019s no surprise that this small valley is so popular. Each spring, around May, the gentle grassy slopes are carpeted in native British bluebells. The purple haze is quite the sight to see, and the heady scent of thousands of flowers fills the air.<\/p>

Rannerdale is picture perfect, and therefore an excellent place to visit as a photographer. Whether you capture Crummock Water in the background, or Rannerdale Knotts rising steeply behind the bluebells, there are plenty of great photo opportunities. I love to head there during Golden Hour when the light is just right and there are also fewer people about. It\u2019s the perfect time to take photos of the Rannerdale Bluebells.<\/p>

\"The<\/center>

How to find the Rannerdale Bluebells<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>

The bluebells are tucked away down a small lane off the country road that runs alongside Crummock Water<\/a>. There\u2019s a very small car park just below Rannerdale Knotts – the fell that shares its name with the valley – but space here is limited to just three or four cars.<\/p>

Instead, head a little further north and you\u2019ll find two slightly larger car parks, where you can leave your car for free. Alternatively, consider taking a bus: you\u2019ll save yourself the headache of finding a parking space, and will do a bit for the environment too. A free shuttle bus<\/u><\/a>\u00a0runs from Cockermouth, and the Honister Rambler<\/u><\/a>\u00a0stops not too far away, in Buttermere village. If you take this option, you can enjoy a pleasant extended walk.<\/p>

\"Rannerdale<\/center>

From the car parks, you\u2019ll see grassy paths (or a stony one from the Rannerdale Knotts parking) that will lead your right into the valley. You won\u2019t have to walk very far before you recognise that you\u2019re in the right place. Just keep your eyes ahead of you and you\u2019ll soon see the green grass blend with the blue shade of the flowers.<\/p>

Grassy paths twist and turn amongst the flowers, and you can wander along these to your heart\u2019s content. Remember to stay on the paths though to avoid trampling the flowers. As hard as it is to believe when you see the abundance here, the flowers can struggle to survive due to the length of time they take to grow. The paths are gently marked with rope and crude wooden stakes to keep you on the right track. Don\u2019t worry, though, these fences have been so thoughtfully erected that they don\u2019t detract from the natural scenery. Your bluebell photos will still be absolutely charming with them in the frame.<\/p>

The legend of the bluebells<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>

The situation of the Rannerdale Bluebells is all the more impressive because it\u2019s such a rare phenomenon. Bluebells are usually found in dappled woodland, surrounded by tall trees that provide plenty of shade. However, in Rannerdale, there\u2019s barely a tree in sight. The flowers bask in the sun and seem to take no harm from it.<\/p>

So how did they come to be in such a place, far away from their usual habitat?<\/p>

The legend goes that, in the early 11th<\/sup>\u00a0century, locals ambushed a Norman army in the valley. The invaders were defeated and it is said that the bluebells sprang from the spilt blood.<\/p>

Whether the real birth of these plants is truly so gory or not, it\u2019s always a pleasure to visit Rannerdale.<\/p>

Where else to see Lake District bluebells?<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>
\"Bluebell<\/center>

While the bluebells in Rannerdale are some of the most famous and – many would say – part of one of the most spectacular displays, there are certainly other wonderful locations to view this diminutive flower.<\/p>

Not far away from Rannerdale, at Loweswater, an ancient woodland is home to plenty of bluebells. Holme Wood on the shores of the lake are a tranquil place to walk amongst the trees and flowers.<\/p>

On the other side of the Lake District, one of my favourite places to take photos of bluebells is at Skelwith<\/a>, near Ambleside<\/a>. There\u2019s nothing quite like warm summer sun streaming between branches in the woods, brightening the purple of the flower.<\/p>

Muncaster Castle, too, has a wonderful display every year. Their gardens are magnificent and you can also enjoy rhododendron blooms, as well as many other interesting plants, both common and rare. If you enjoy photographing flowers, then this is an excellent place to visit.<\/p>

Rannerdale Bluebell Photographs<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>
\"Path<\/a><\/center>

Keep a small memento of the beautiful bluebells in your home with one of my photographic prints<\/a>\u00a0of the bluebells at Rannerdale. They\u2019ll brighten up any wall and are bound to bring a smile to your face all year round.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

While now they\u2019re fairly well known, the Rannerdale Bluebells used to be something of a hidden gem familiar only to locals and a few visitors from outside of Cumbria. Nowadays, the knowledge of this spectacular natural display has spread far and wide. It\u2019s no surprise that this small valley is so popular. Each spring, around May, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":24641,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[251],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe Rannerdale Bluebells | Landscape Photography Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"In spring, the Rannerdale Bluebells near Buttermere are one of the Lake District's most beautiful and surprising natural displays.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jamesbellphotography.co.uk\/blog\/lake-district-walks\/the-rannerdale-bluebells\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"James\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script 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