11 best places to see spring flowers in Gloucestershire

Soak up spring blossoms and bask in nature's prettiest colours! Make the most of Gloucestershire’s glorious great outdoors this season by visiting SoGlos's 11 best places to see spring flowers in the county.

By Annabel Lammas  |  Published
Discover 11 stunning places to admire spring colours in Gloucestershire. Image © Johnny Hathaway
In partnership with Westonbirt Arboretum  |  forestryengland.uk/westonbirt
Westonbirt Arboretum

Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, near Tetbury, is one of the most spectacular tree gardens in the world – home to five national tree collections and 2,500 different species from the far corners of the globe. One of Gloucestershire’s most popular attractions, it spans a whopping 600 acres, encompassing natural play areas and restaurants.

From blossom-topped arboretums to fields of sunny yellow daffodils, Gloucestershire is home to many stunning spots where spring flowers are blooming everywhere!

Whether you fancy a slow-paced stroll through an English country garden or a trek through striking woodland, soak up shades of pink, purple and blue at SoGlos's 11 best places to see spring flowers in Gloucestershire.

Spring flowers at Westonbirt Arboretum

It’s renowned for its glorious displays of autumn colour but spring is just as impressive at Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, as thousands of native and exotic trees burst into colourful bloom.

Discover a kaleidoscope of vibrant colour, providing home to all kinds of wildlife, with seas of English bluebells and ancient wildflowers in Silk Wood and collections of magnolias and rhododendrons in the Old Arboretum. Don't miss the Cherry Glade, where you can catch cherry blossoms in their prime during April and May.

Keep up to date with what's happening throughout the season at forestryengland.uk/westonbirt/spring

Spring flowers at Painswick Rococo Garden

Taking over from its famous snowdrops when springtime comes, Painswick Rococo Garden is home to tens of thousands of brilliant yellow daffodils, carpeting its grounds from the orchard to the Red House.

With all kinds of varieties blooming at slightly different times, visitors can soak up the spectacle throughout March; while spring also brings over 9,000 colourful bulbs into bloom in the Exedra Garden.

Spring flowers at Batsford Arboretum

Bursting with spring blossom throughout March and April, visitors can experience sensational displays of pink, white and purple at Batsford Arboretum near Moreton-in-Marsh.

The 60-acre site is home to the National Collection of Prunus (Sato-zakura Group) — a diverse group of ornamental Japanese cherry trees, with over 120 flowering cherries found in clusters around the arboretum.

Spring flowers at Lydney Park Gardens

Discover a tranquil woodland garden deep in the grounds of Lydney Park Estate. Spanning eight acres in the Forest of Dean, there’s plenty to discover — from wonderful wildflowers and scented shrubs to Roman ruins, with the rhododendrons a stand-out highlight!

Dates for 2025 are yet to be announced but with 'ambitious plans' promised for this year, keep an eye on Lydney Park's socials so you don't miss the chance to visit this season.

Spring flowers in the Forest of Dean

From blankets of bluebells to spring flowers like violets and primroses appearing all over the ancient woodland floor, the Forest of Dean is full of colours that spark so much joy in the springtime.

The area is famous for its incredible display of native daffodils around Dymock and Kempley, with ramblers pulling on their walking boots and challenging themselves to The Daffodil Way — a nine-mile circular route that really shows off Gloucestershire’s glorious Golden Triangle. For guided walks, visit during Kempley Daffodil Weekend.

Spring flowers at Snowshill Manor and Garden

Nestled in a small village near Broadway, Snowshill Manor and Garden is home to an Insta-worthy orchard with delightful daffodils and blossom blooming in spring — due to open on Monday 10 March 2025.

The manor also houses an eclectic collection of extraordinary objects, handpicked by architect Charles Paget Wade for their unique design. Step inside to marvel at all things colourful, even on a dreary day.

Spring flowers at Sezincote House and Garden

Wander into another world at Sezincote House and Garden, an Indian-inspired paradise in Moreton-in-Marsh — open Wednesday to Friday, as well as on bank holiday Mondays, from March 2025.

With exquisite ornamental features and a vibrant water garden where many rare plants grow, visitors can enjoy the arrival of spring with a stroll along the shimmering canals and take in the striking landscape.

Spring flowers at Kiftsgate Court Gardens

Thanks to three generations of female gardeners, Kiftsgate Court Gardens in Mickleton is blooming beautiful every spring — and all set to welcome visitors back when it reopens on Wednesday 2 April 2025.

See bluebells in early May, apple blossom in the orchard and catch daffodils dancing beneath the old lime trees all the way up the drive to the house throughout the season.

Spring flowers at Hidcote Manor Garden

Get lost in Hidcote’s Arts and Crafts-inspired grounds, a magnificent maze of connected garden rooms, as they burst into colour this spring.

Find a quiet spot to relax by the bathing pool or seek out exotic and unusual plants, with the garden's creator Lawrence Johnston having brought back only the most spectacular varieties from his global plant-hunting expeditions in the early 1900s.

Spring flowers at Cerney House Gardens

Escape to this ‘secret garden’ near Cirencester, where dahlias and alliums can be seen in the spring. An onsite self-service tearoom, The Bothy, is open to all visitors in the mood for some cake and a cuppa after exploring the walled garden and admiring its Victorian features.

Green-fingered guests can also take a piece of Cerney Gardens home with them, with spring plants, seasonal veg and fresh-cut flowers available to buy from the Potting Shed Shop.

Spring flowers at Dyrham Park

A little further afield but well-worth a visit this spring, Dyrham Park boasts 270 acres of ancient parkland in South Gloucestershire, including a varied garden with colourful borders and its own wildflower orchard.

Visit from Tuesday 22 April to Monday 5 May 2025 to experience 'tulip mania', with monochromatic displays of black and white tulips in the newly-created parterre, jewel coloured tulips in the borders and a special variety inspired by Dyrham Park to find in Fountain Court. Take a guided tulip tour and pick up planting tips from the garden staff, too.

In partnership with Westonbirt Arboretum  |  forestryengland.uk/westonbirt

More on Westonbirt Arboretum More

More on Gloucestershire More

More from Culture More