• City of London Corporation asks visitors to help protect bluebells before they appear, as delicate bulbs are already growing beneath the soil.
  • Conservation experts urge people and their pets to stick to paths so emerging bulbs aren’t crushed before they bloom.
  • Visitors are reminded never to pick bluebells, a legally protected wildflower and one of Epping Forest’s most treasured spring spectacles.

Conservation experts responsible for London and Essex’s largest green space – Epping Forest – are calling on visitors to help protect its much‑loved bluebells before they appear above ground.

Although the yearly burst of colour is yet to arrive, the bluebells of Chalet Wood are already quietly developing beneath the soil. Their bulbs are fragile, slow‑growing, and highly sensitive to trampling, which can weaken or prevent blooming for years to come.

The Forest is managed by the City of London Corporation as a registered charity, and protecting its rare habitats is a core part of that charitable purpose. 

The UK is home to nearly half of the world’s bluebells – a species legally protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

The City Corporation is reminding visitors and their pets to stay on designated paths and, importantly, never to pick these delicate wildflowers.

Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Epping Forest and Commons Committee, Caroline Haines, said:

“The bluebells may still be hidden, but the season has already begun beneath our feet. Every careful step helps safeguard one of the most spectacular natural displays in the region.

“We know how special these bluebells are — they’re one of the Forest’s great annual joys. If we all stick to the paths and leave the flowers untouched, we can ensure this breathtaking sight returns year after year.

“Please enjoy the Forest but resist the temptation to pick or step into bluebell areas. It’s the simplest way to protect a truly magical moment of spring.”

Each year, thousands flock to Chalet Wood in Wanstead Park to experience what has become one of the Forest’s most photographed natural wonders. But with popularity comes pressure: bluebells take several years to establish, and even one misplaced footprint can crush developing leaves underground, affecting the plant’s energy stores for the following year.

Visitors are asked to help protect the bluebells by:

  • Keeping to designated paths, even before the flowers appear.
  • Never picking bluebells – they are legally protected and extremely delicate.
  • Avoiding stepping into signposted habitat areas.
  • Following advice from Forest rangers and on‑site signage.

Epping Forest stretches from Manor Park in the south to Epping in the north, covering around 8,000 acres and attracting over 10 million visitors annually. It is one of the last remaining extensive natural woodlands in southern England and holds national and international conservation status as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation.

The City of London Corporation protects 11,000 acres of green space across London and the southeast, investing millions of pounds every year. Most of these sites are run as charitable trusts, at little or no cost to the communities they serve.

ENDS

Notes to editors

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile, dedicated to supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally successful UK – www.cityoflondon.gov.uk.

Under the Epping Forest and Wanstead Park Byelaws, it is prohibited to damage or injure any plant in the Forest – this includes trampling or picking bluebells, both of which can harm their long-term survival.

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