Walking with Bluebells

Bluebells in ancient woodland

Fancy a wild walk to spot bluebells with the children this Sunday?

Look no further than our guided Jack and Boo’s Wild Wood Walk in National Trust’s ancient wood, Borthwood Copse, as part of the 2013 Isle of Wight Walking Festival.

Many locations in the wood were inspiration for our book Jack and Boo’s Wild Wood, which includes some photos form Borthwood Copse. There will be an opportunity to buy the book on the day and it is also available to buy at other outlets on Isle of Wight (scroll down to Isle of Wight).

“This story lays down a lovely list of things for children to do in the real world of nature. I urge you to read it and then let them enact it for themselves. Only then will we have future generations who will love wildlife enough to protect it.” ~ Chris Packham on Jack and Boo’s Wild Wood

The circular walk is guided and will be just over a mile, and take around 2 hours. Children will get a map and spotter guide to tick off woodland finds as they go. There will also be 3 special woodland challenges as we walk around the route. Feel free to bring cameras to snap woodland wildlife.

Cost is £2 per adult (with 50p going to National Trust). Kids go free.

They’ll be homemade bakes (probably flapjacks) and cold drinks for kids, but please do bring along your own snacks/refreshments if you have special dietary requirements. The walk isn’t ideal for buggies, unless you have a 4-wheel-drive model!

There are no “official”  picnic areas or tables/chairs as such in the wood so be prepared to sit on a tree trunk if you need a rest.

Well behaved dogs on leads welcome. The walk is quite hilly in parts and I cannot guarantee what the ground conditions will be, so wear good shoes, and if it rains then bring wellies!

Meet at the main Borthwood entrance, on Alverstone Road, (the one outside the Number 8 stop with the wooden gate) at 10am Sunday 16th May 2013. The walk should be all finished by 12pm.

Limited car parking in the Parish Council car park at Alverstone Road, just before Queen Bower, a shown on the OS map 566844 with a blue “P”. But, please meet walk leader at 10am at main Borthwood copse entrance. This is not the Parish Council car park entrance!

If you want to come please let me know numbers via email

info (at) beachybooks (dot) com

More details on the Isle of Wight Walking Festival website.

See you there!

Philip Bell