Petal Peek, which gives a snapshot of what spring flowers are blooming at the Lake District National Park Visitor Centre at Brockhole, overlooking Windermere, has finished for 2008.
However come back next year to see how far spring has sprung in the Lake District National Park!
Flower calendar
Snowdrops: blossom late January-February
Snowdrops have especially hardened tips to push through snow.
In the Victorian language of flowers, used to convey hidden meaning in bouquets, a snowdrop means "hope".
Top spots in the Lake District: Woodlands across the National Park.
Daffodils: best display in late March and April
The name of the flower is derived from "affodell"
In the Victorian language of flowers, a daffodil signifies "respect".
Top spots in the Lake District: Everywhere! Although the most generally accepted location for Wordsworth's daffodils is the shoreline of Ullswater.
Bluebells: out late April - May
Britain has about 25-49 percent of the world's bluebell population.
In the Victorian language of flowers, a bluebell signifies "humility" or "constancy".
Top spots in the Lake District: Rannerdale and Low Wood by Wast Water.
Buttercups: out in June
There's a tradition of finding out if someone likes butter, by holding up a buttercup under their chin to see if it reflects a yellow light onto their skin.
In the Victorian language of flowers, buttercups mean "cheerfulness".
Top spots in the Lake District: St John's in the Vale near Keswick.
See for yourself
Looking for an enjoyable walk suitable for people with buggies or those with limited mobility? We've 21 routes to suit your needs. Check out our Miles Without Stiles routes or Miles Without Stiles: Gardens and Grounds.
Useful links (all links open in new windows)
- Ambleside Flower Show - Saturday 24 - Sunday 25 March 2007
- BBC Springwatch
- Brantwood, on the shores of Coniston Water has snowdrops, daffodils, bluebells and buttercups in its grounds
- Lake District Visitor Centre at Brockhole with extensive grounds sweeping down to the Windermere lakeshore
- Nature's Calendar collating UK data
- Wordsworth Trust
Daffodils by William Wordsworth (1804)
or hear the Wordsworth Rap (opens in new window)
I wander'd lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the Milky Way,
They stretch'd in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed - and gazed - but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.
Want even more visitor information?
Visit Golakes (opens in new window), the official website of the tourist board for The Lake District and Cumbria. Browse and book accommodation and attractions online and see what's on in the area.
