“No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow” or so the saying goes. The nights are not drawing in as quickly as they did in winter, and the air feels a little warmer which can only mean that spring is on the way.
The season of spring is brighter and livelier, as the nature and wildlife begin to bloom. You’ll see spring flowers pushing their way up through the frozen ground, and eventually lambs bounding across lush green meadows.
Here is our guide on some of the first signs of spring to discover across England and Wales.
Signs to look for
Snowdrops
Pretty snowdrops cover woodlands, meadows and gardens signalling the end of winter. Snowdrops have been associated with the arrival of spring for many years, and were popular in the Victorian period, though many believe they were brought over much earlier by Norman monks. They were grown in churchyards for Candlemas day, which is Feburary 2nd. Have you spotted any yet? If you have, share your snaps with us on social using #YHANatureChallenge.
Ducklings
With spring comes new life. A new generation opens its eyes for its first glance of the world, including ducklings.
With their downy feathers, little faces with beady eyes, and tiny quacks, is there anything cuter – seriously? You can expect a steady stream of fluffy ducklings from March onwards.
Daffodils
Ahh the Daffodil. Known to be one of the first signs that spring is making an appearance. These pretty yellow flowers blossom from late February to early April. Wordsworth’s poem “I wandered lonely as a cloud” was inspired by the beautiful daffodils that surprised him on a spring walk.
Did you know that the Daffodil is the national flower of Wales?
Longer and warmer days
Obvious but pleasant. The days are getting longer and often we wake up to beautiful sunshine peering through our window. Staying outdoors is a lot more pleasurable too as the temperature rises. Spring days also means that we can appreciate embracing the great outdoors that little bit more. We recommend Broad Haven beach and Mam Tor for sunrise and sunset.
Ways to celebrate
Skies are brighter, days last longer and the landscape begins to shine with a multitude of colour. The first day of spring is quickly approaching, and there’s so much to be grateful for. Watch as the fields become adorned with processions of golden daffodil trumpets, listen for the cuckoo’s mighty call and smell the subtle sweet blossom.
Here are a few ideas to make the most of a bright new season of spring.
Wildflower hunting
If you go out in the woods today, you’re sure to spot hundreds of stunning wildflowers. Look out for bluebells, cowslips, violets and orchids. If you're looking to immerse yourself in the fantastic flora and fauna of the South West, Long Wood in Cheddar is set among an ancient bluebell wood. A short car journey down the road, you'll find YHA Cheddar.
Go for a picnic
There’s nothing quite like welcoming in the first day of spring with a picnic. Head to your local park, woodland, river or green space with your favourite snacks. Known for its legendary folk tales and gorgeous green hills, South Downs National Park offers rolling chalk downland, magical woods and dazzling rivers. For those headed up north, what better place than the Lake District National Park? You can't be a picnic by the sea, so you might want to take your tasty snacks to the seaside!
Wildlife spotting
There’s so much wildlife to spot this season. If you fancy somewhere new, Skomer Island in Pembrokeshire is teaming with wonderful wildlife. Cycle a scenic path from YHA Broad Haven to Martins Haven to jump on a boat to the island.
Bird watchers will be in their element at RSPB Minsmere. Here you’ll find an impressive variety of birds and - just a short drive down the road - YHA Blaxhall.
Even when you are out on a local walk, you might spot a buzzy bee, a beautiful butterfly or a sheep grazing in fields.
Take a walk
Embrace the change in seasons with a wander outside. To get started, why not take a peek at our top walking tips?
As part of our Festival of Walking, we created a range of maps to help lead the way on your self-guided walks. Ranging from easy through to medium and challenging, there are plenty of sensational strolls to pick from. So why not embrace the brighter weather by heading out using our downloadable maps?
Book your spring escape with YHA today. We've got plenty of options to choose from...
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