Part of what’s fast becoming a series of photography location guides, here’s some tips if you fancy some bluebell photography this Spring at Ashridge. Hope it helps.
What is it?
Ashridge Estate is a huge woodland expanse managed by the National Trust in the Chiltern Hills, with over 2000 acres of mature woodland to explore. Come spring it is littered with small meadows of blossoming bluebells beneath the forest canopy.
Bluebell Grove | Ashridge
When to shoot?
As will all landscape photography it’s Mother Nature who ultimately decides things. The previous winter and the prevailing Spring weather govern when the bluebells emerge. A good rule of thumb, is the last week of April into the 1st week of May for the first bloom. It tends to last for a few weeks from there — again weather permitting.
Last rays | Ashridge
How to get there?
Although Ashridge covers a wide area, bluebells are not present in great numbers throughout the area. There’s a small grove to be found by taking the path to the right of the Monument to marker 5 of the main Estate trail. I’ve not shot myself there though.
The greatest density, with the most opportunities for photography is Dockey Wood. Still part of the Estate, but located further out towards Ringshall. From the monument head north on the B4506 towards Ringshall, after a mile or so you enter a small hamlet where you should take the first left onto Beacon Road. Then pull in at the second car park on the left a mile further down the road.
Opposite this car park on the other side of the road is the small coppice of Dockey Wood. Here the floor is a sea of bluebells, where at full bloom it’s difficult to find a patch of earth not colonised by the flowers.
Bluebell Wood | Ashridge
What to shoot?
Small narrow paths, known as deer paths, cut through Dockey Wood which can provide nice lead in lines and foreground interest if your going with a wide angle.
Although the floor of the wood is carpeted in bluebells, it helps to use a medium range telephoto to compress the distance between the flowers, this adds to the sense of the flowers density. A medium range telephoto also works wonders foreshortening the gaps between the trees.
Loner | Ashridge
As it’s early spring, there’s little foliage, so on a bright spring day differences in contrast between the leaves of the trees and the floor of the wood can become an issue. Shooting late in the day will help mediate this and 2 hours before sunset will see sunbeams scattering through the forest, creating beams of light. This is a tricky thing to shoot, as you’re facing into the sun, which poses contrast and highlight burn out. But can yield some interesting results.
One last thing …
Dockey Wood is popular, with locals, day trippers (especially around bank holiday) and photography buffs. So it’s no secret. Parking can be an issue and if you want people free shots you’ll have to patient.
That all said, Dockey is definitely a special place with a certain something about it, it’s worth the trip just to take in the spectacle alone, after an hour or two doing photography I sat down, put the camera away and just drank it in. Well recommended.
Happy shooting
f29
Looking for some blue bell woods to get the colours,I am a textile artist. Found this site thought it looked familer Ashridge I used to live in Little Gaddesden as youngster.
Thanks very much for a trip down memory lane.
lv lv luv this place, it is lovely and amazing it is like noting i have seen before every one should go there, there should be bluebellls every where, maybe.
bye x
grow more
Followed instructions today to find Dockey wood. It was just magical.
Was very glad to know exactly where to go at Ashridge and saved trampsing around looking for such a wonderful sight, with husband and son in tow. Weather was a bit cloudy, so not heaving with too many other bluebell visitors.
Thank you very much for the benefit of your knowledge.