Garston wood, Dorset.

Garston wood this morning. Go early if you want a parking space at the moment. The car park is quite small. Full by 10.30am but cars do park along the road too. Walk up to the lovely rapeseed field at the top first and then all the way do to the left (a little way back by the seat). Keep going and you will come to all the wild garlic too. At the second entrance turn left and then left again to going up through the middle (you are not near the road then and can enjoy the bird song). Turn right and walk through the area with the most bluebells (this is lovely for photographing the flowers or photoshoots and then left again, before passing through two gates to return to the car park. You will find this wood just north of Sixpenny handley, it's about 30 minutes from Verwood and is a very pretty ride through the yellow rapeseed fields.

Garston wood, Deanland.

A walk in Garston wood this morning. The bluebells are all out now, with lots of primroses, orchids and masses of wild garlic too (that could do with another week before it's all white). This is a lovely place for a wander. Good car park but arrive early or be disappointed at this time of year, it's not huge and soon fills up. The area is wonderful for both flora and birds. It has a network of lovely footpaths. Walk up the hill from the car park but before leaving the woodland you will see a bench and a left turn. Take this path as it's to the left that you will find the bluebells. I always walk along this outer path to reach the other end of the woodland by passing through two gates and ending up near to the road at the far end (The wild garlic end). Now take the next left to head back into the woodland. This is the area with the most bluebells and orchids. Keep right at the next junction of paths and you will pass through the centre of the woodland. This is really beautiful old woodland with lovely oaks. Keep left now to avoid nearing the road or left if not with a dog and you will soon return to your car. Maps are available at the car park.

Garston wood, Dorset.

Garston wood still looking very beautiful without the bluebells. Lots of orchids out now.