Bluebells in the Old Copse

Bluebells are a good sign of ancient woodland and this was a woodland called the Old Copse on maps from 200 years ago. There are a number of areas of old woodland with millions of bluebells at Ashridge, and even on busy days the Old Copse is comparatively quiet because it is away from the roads, and no directly on one of the main walking trails.

The Common Bluebell at Ashridge

Bogbean in Clickmere Pond, Ashridge

Over the last couple of years I have been photographing Clickmere Pond at different times of the year.

Monument Drive, Easter 2011

However the popular spots at Ashridge can get crowded. This picture, looking down the drive towards Ashridge House on a beautifully sunny Easter Bank Holiday Monday is the most crowded I have seen it. Perhaps it was worse because there was an "Easter Egg" trail organised for the children. However even on days like this you can find places in Ashridge which are still quiet enough to be able to see deer. For instance on leaving this crowd to walk a mile or so to where I had parked my car I actually saw and photographed a muntjac deer (normally very timid) in Old Copse.

Fallow deer in March 2011

© Chris Reynolds, 2011