Guide to Blooming Flowers Across the North

Spring is here. That means a little sunshine and vitamin D. The days are getting longer and winter is behind us. And we’re all treated to some fantastic colours as spring flowers bloom. Whether in your garden at home, in city centre parks or woodland walks, you can’t deny the beauty of blooming flowers in spring.

If you want to get out this spring and see the floral displays in all their glory, these are the flowers you can expect to see and the best spots to view them.

Crocus

A crocus spring bloom is a wonderful thing to see. These white, yellow, lilac or purple flowers appear among grassy leaves in late winter to early spring. They symbolise cheerfulness, glee and youthfulness bringing feelings of joy for the onset of spring and the end of winter.

You can see crocus flowers in bloom right across the north of England and Scotland, including at:

• The Botanical Gardens in Sheffield
• Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh
• Jesmond Dene in Newcastle
• Roundhay Park in Leeds

Daffodils

We really know spring is here as soon as these yellow flowers bloom. As one of the first flowers to appear at the end of winter, daffodils really highlight the start of spring. They also symbolise rebirth and new beginnings, which is what spring is all about.

Some of the best sports in Northern UK to see daffodils include:

• York’s city walls and its Museum Gardens
• Sefton Park in Liverpool
• Temple Newsam just outside Leeds
• Valley Bridge Gardens in Scarborough

Bluebells

Not only are bluebells amongst the prettiest of spring blooms, they also have a lot of superstitions attached to them. In British culture and folklore, it was once believed that bluebells were used in witches potions. Others link them to fairies – that anyone who wanders into a ring of bluebells will fall under fairy enchantment.

Bluebells are also said to be a symbol of humility, constancy, gratitude and everlasting love. It’s said that if you turn a bluebell flower inside-out without tearing it, you’ll find the person you love.

Whether you believe the tales or not, there’s no denying the beauty of seeing bluebells in spring. These are some of the best spots to do just that in the north:

• Etherow Country Park, near Stockport and close to Manchester
• Drumchapel Woods in Glasgow
• Ravelston Wood in Edinburgh
• Woolley Wood in Sheffield

Cherry blossom

Cherry blossoms have huge cultural significance in Japan, but you can see them blooming all across northern England and Scotland too. This pink blossom symbolises life and death, beauty and violence. The coming of a new spring means new life, so cherry blossoms in bloom brings a sense of vibrancy and vitality. But their short lifespan also acts as a reminder that life is fleeting.

Some of the best places in our region to see cherry blossoms in spring are:

• The Stray in Harrogate
• The Meadows in Edinburgh
• Alnwick Garden, Alnwick

Spring is here and we couldn’t be happier. If you’re planning on getting out and about across our region to see spring flowers in bloom, remember to buy your tickets in advance online or on the TPExpress app.