Take a blossom break at work, National Trust urges, as spring warms UK
Employees are being urged to step outside to take time to observe one of the wonders of the natural world: the fleeting but lovely spring blossom season.
Research commissioned by the National Trust, which operates in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, shows that while almost all those polled said they felt better if they took breaks in nature, only one in 10 did so.
The conservation charity believes this week's rising temperatures in much of the UK, which coincide neatly with the spring equinox, will start this year's blossom season and could lead to particularly impressive displays in some places.
This is the sixth iteration of the National Trust's blossom campaign, when the charity asks people to emulate Japan's hanami custom. The campaign first came to prominence during the first Covid lockdown five years ago
The blossom boosts many people's spirits: a new YouGov poll for the trust found that almost all UK adults (94%) said the sight of blossom on trees and in hedgerows made them happy.
But while 80% of workers said they felt more positive after downing tools or getting away from screens and spending breaks outside, only 10% actually got out for walks or a brief sit among trees.
Annie Reilly, the blossom programme manager at the trust, said: 'The sight of blossom after such a grey, cold and stormy start to the year is a real mood-lifter.
'With the season only lasting a few weeks, it's really important to enjoy it while we can. Our simple ask is for people to take a break to explore their streets or nearest green space for signs of blossom, and if they have nearby green spaces or parks close to where they work, maybe try sitting under blossoming trees to get a lift from nature.'
The colder temperatures in many places last week slowed the blossom season down, but it is expected to speed up now.
Pam Smith, the national gardens consultant at the trust, said: 'With blossom spreading across the country from the warmer south-west counties to the northernmost tips of Scotland at a walking pace, we need to get outside to enjoy this special annual show.'
Over the winter, ranger and countryside teams have planted new blossom trees to create habitats for wildlife – and people – including new traditional orchards at Killerton in Devon, a 'lost' orchard at Lytes Cary Manor in Somerset and more than 4,000 blossoming trees to help create new hedgerows in the north and west lakes in Cumbria.
Smith said: 'Orchards, particularly those that are ageing and less managed for fruit production, are important habitats for wildlife including pollinators, bats and moths.
National Trust gardeners enthused about the blossom as it broke through.
Jenny Woodcock, a gardener at Ham House in Richmond, south-west London, said: 'Along the east wall of our kitchen garden, our apricots are showing their beautiful light-pink blossom. The peaches alongside them are also in bud, and likely to flower over the next couple of weeks together with the plum and cherry border on the west side of the kitchen garden.'
Ed Atkinson, the head gardener at the Blickling Estate in Norfolk, said: 'We've just had the first of our almond blossom emerge in the orchard, a sure sign of spring. The magnolias in the west garden will be next to flower, followed by various fruit blossom from apples, pears, plums, cherries, medlars, gauges, peaches, and nectarines.'
Amy Ness, an area ranger at Brockhampton in Herefordshire, said: 'The Shropshire prune damson trees that surround the house are starting to show signs of budding and we expect them to be in bloom towards the end of March and into early April. If the weather continues to be warm, dry and still in Herefordshire we could be in for a really good blossom season.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
9 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
How to have a ‘no-spend summer holiday' with a family of four – free festival tickets, meals at Bella Italia and more
From bagging toys and games to even getting a free holiday - we explain how you can have a no-spend summer HOLI-YAY How to have a 'no-spend summer holiday' with a family of four – free festival tickets, meals at Bella Italia and more Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE SUMMER holidays are looming – and with them come scorching prices. The six-week break can cost parents a staggering £1,000 a week - but imagine if you could get days out, sports clubs, restaurant meals, theme parks and even holidays for FREE. 6 You can get a free holiday if you plan ahead - here's how you can do it (Stock pic) Credit: Getty 6 There's lots of free walks to take the family on if you search on the National Trust website Credit: Getty Here, we reveal how YOU can have a no-spend summer - without missing out on the fun. FREE HOLIDAYS WITH some preparation, it's possible to have a free holiday. Big supermarket spenders can save up loyalty points, like Sainsbury's Nectar and Tesco Clubcard, and use them to book hotels and travel. Tesco has linked with easyJet Holidays this year meaning your vouchers are worth double if you use them to book a break away. Claim a maximum £300 worth of Clubcard Vouchers which equals £600 in credit for easyJet holidays. Try house sitting or swapping for a free family break. Register with sites like TrustedHousesitters or HomeExchange and stay in other people's homes for nothing (but do factor in registration fees). Anna and Pete Bundock enjoy free holiday accommodation thanks to house swapping. They've saved up to £25,000 over the past nine years on 37 trips. With sons Simon, 16, and Martin, 14, they have stayed all over Europe from Switzerland to Germany. This summer, they'll be swapping their home in Crystal Palace for a week's stay in Switzerland and then Mallorca – saving them £5,000. Sales support coordinator Anna, 47, said: 'It's been a no brainer. We've had more holidays because we don't have to pay for accommodation.' They use the website HomeExchange and pay an annual membership fee of £180 for unlimited swaps. 6 The Bundock family have swapped homes and visited places like Amsterdam for free Credit: Supplied 6 The family love holidaying in Cornwall, and have also visited Spain too FREE SPORT There are free alternatives to pricey holiday camps, which cost, on average, a whopping £175 a week. McDonald's runs a series of free football sessions for kids aged 5 to 11 at 1,600 locations until July 27. Visit the fast food chain's website to sign up. There are also McDonalds Fun Football Festivals around the UK throughout July and August. Kellogg's is also offering free football camps for five to 15 year olds. Sign up through the on-pack promotion. Kids can practise their aces for free at tennis sessions offered by There are 12 sites nationwide. Log on to the Lawn Tennis Association's website to find free park tennis sessions too. Free swimming sessions are offered to under 18s at many council leisure centres. Register first before booking the specific slots. FREE WORKSHOPS There's bound to be a free workshop for the kids near you this summer. Dobbies garden centre hosts Little Seedlings gardening workshops for kids aged four to ten. Pets at Home is offering free 45-minute pet workshops. Visit Kids aged six to ten can make movies on an iPad at Apple Summer Camp, hosted in local branches. You can't register yet, so sign up for updates at 6 If the kids enjoy sports, see if there is a free workshop or swimming slot at your local pool Credit: Getty FREE TOYS AND BOOKS Keep the kids entertained by visiting a local toy library where you can borrow games and more. Some charge a registration fee, but low income families could get free membership. Check out Facebook marketplace and Gumtree for toys, books and games listed for free. Apps like Young Planet will match you with nearby parents who want to get rid of old toys - you don't have to pay anything. Organise a toy swap with other parents and host play dates. FREE FESTIVALS AND TRIPS 6 The Stockton International Riverside Festival is just one of many free festivals around the country Credit: Alamy Look on local events sites or your council website for free festivals near you. You can also read the list at There's Stockton International Riverside Festival in the north-east, and Bristol International Balloon Fiesta in the south-west, for example. Fun and colourful free Pride events also take place across the UK in July and August. See if festivals offer free tickets in exchange for helping out. Save up your Tesco Clubcard vouchers and use them to pay for attractions where you get twice the voucher's value to use on tickets. A £5 voucher gives you £10 to spend with Reward Partners, like theme parks, and wildlife parks. Sign up to Sun Club for the year for £12 and get free or discounted tickets for top attractions. We're offering 10,000 free tickets to Warwick Castle - apply before June 18. FREE DAYS OUT Fill your summer break with day trips that won't cost you a penny. There are city farms across the country, which often only ask for a donation. Museums are fun for the family and many are free, like The Golden Thread Gallery in Belfast and Perth Museum in Scotland, which have been shortlisted for this year's Art Fund Museum of the Year. The Young V&A in London was last year's winner. For free days out near you, lists events in 12 towns and cities across the UK. Also check out Eventbrite for free activities. Harry Potter fans can do a free walking tour in Edinburgh. Check out Search 'places to visit' at and filter by 'free to enter' to find more than 200 sites. Go to and search 'walking' for a long list of places to take the family for free. It also lists free places under the 'visit' tab, like Penrose in Cornwall. Catch a movie for free at outdoor screenings around the UK. For example, Sun Money spotted free screenings in Newcastle from late July to early September. FREE FOOD Take the kids out for tea for free at chains and supermarkets. One of the cheapest meals out is at Asda cafe, which is £1 for kids with no adult spend needed. You can get one free children's meal at Morrisons, but you must buy one adult meal worth £4.50 or more. Kids under eight eat free between 12pm-5pm at Angus Steakhouse. Get one free meal for every paying adult. On Thursdays, one child can eat free with every adult meal at Bella Italia. Get a free kids pizza for every full-priced adult main at Franco Manca. Check the T&Cs ahead of time to make sure you qualify - there's an age limit on most deals.
Wales Online
16 hours ago
- Wales Online
The hidden paradise waterfalls made famous on Instagram where two people died
The hidden paradise waterfalls made famous on Instagram where two people died The attraction is a magnet for tourists and locals alike, with waters that are always crystal clear and a series of tumbling water, but this week it was the site of tragedy, underlining the difficulties around the high number of visitors to the area TikTokers increasingly refer to the cascades as the 'fairy pools' (Image: Ian Lilley ) In the summer, the mountain waters of Yr Wyddfa often appear enticing, even to those not undertaking a tough climb. The aqua blue waters and cascading waterfalls create an illusion of being somewhere far more exotic. Located just a brief walk from the A498, the Watkin Pools are a dream for Instagrammers seeking wild swimming photos without much effort. Until this week, their popularity was assumed and their use unchallenged. However, on Wednesday evening, tragedy struck when two women lost their lives in the pools. One woman was retrieved from the water, while the other was later rescued by emergency teams but sadly passed away despite resuscitation attempts. A police investigation is currently underway into the incident that has left Britain in shock and sorrow. You can read our report on the tragic event here. Mountain activities inherently carry some risk: on average, eight people lose their lives each year on Yr Wyddfa due to falls, trips and health conditions. However, fatalities involving the mountain's lakes, streams and pools are rare, reports North Wales Live. While the cause of this week's tragedy remains unconfirmed, it's important to remember that wild swimming – or even a quick dip – carries risks, particularly in icy mountain waters where rocks can be slippery and sharp. In light of this, the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) UK has issued a special warning to Welsh residents and visitors to remain vigilant around water this summer. Article continues below New statistics have revealed that in 2024, the drowning rate in Wales was twice the UK national average. The year saw 18 accidental drownings, with an additional 19 water-related deaths still awaiting official cause determination. Interim charity director at RLSS UK, Matt Croxall, said: "The high drowning rate reported in Wales emphasises just how important it is that families are aware of the importance of water safety and have the correct knowledge to be safe around water." The river's iconic slab bridge balances delicately on boulders having endured the worst of Eryri's winter storms (Image: Ian Lilley ) Following the Covid pandemic, the Watkin Pools near Yr Wyddfa experienced a surge in popularity. A comparison of parking figures from 2021 indicated a significant 64% increase at Pont Bethania car park in Nant Gwynant, relative to the pre-pandemic year of 2019. While some visitors were hikers tackling the challenging Watkin Path to the summit, Eryri National Park officials attribute much of the rise to "trending social media posts" showcasing the picturesque Watkin Pools. At that time, a travel website hailed it as "one of the most beautiful spots in the whole of Snowdonia and maybe therefore in the whole of the UK." Since then, the praise for this location has only intensified. Guides tout the pools as a "perfect cool-down" for hikers ascending the mountain. Yet in practice many take the plunge more for the sake of soaking up the ambiance and capturing crucial snapshots than for the hike itself, then promptly retracing their steps downhill. It's considered amongst the top UK spots for inducing "Insta envy." The Watkin cascades were recently dubbed the UK's second prime "hidden waterfalls". Despite their prevalence on social media hinting they aren't quite so concealed, their popularity is understandable. Even on overcast days when they're not shimmering aqua blue, the waters retain their crystal clarity. At certain cascade points, visitors fancy themselves in "infinity pools", gazing from atop craggy ledges down to the splendid Nant Gwynant valley. Suspended from an overhead branch by a tree-lined pool, a makeshift rope swing invites adventure. Amongst two trees sits a flat rock functioning as an impromptu slide. Countless videos have been shared on TikTok, with the cascades increasingly referred to as "Snowdon's fairy pools". A traveller commented: "5-star turquoise waters – the kind of place that makes you feel like its summer on the darkest day. Crystal clear, ice cold, delicious. Children adore it." Lately, finding solitude at these pools has proven more of a challenge. Seasoned visitors suggest getting there early to dodge the throngs, as the falls become crowded post-noon. Especially on sun-filled days, it's not unusual for guests to find themselves sharing their slice of "paradise" with fellow revellers. Article continues below However, you don't need to take a dip to appreciate the waterfalls and their iconic slab bridge. Picnics in this area have grown increasingly popular, leading to noticeable wear on the surrounding ground. Over 600,000 people annually flock to Yr Wyddfa, though this week's double tragedy starkly demonstrates the risks such visits pose.
Wales Online
18 hours ago
- Wales Online
The exploding popularity of Watkin Pools beauty spot that claimed lives of two women
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info In summer the mountain water often looks inviting even for those not toiling up Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). The waters are aqua blue and a series of tumbling water adds to the illusion of being somewhere else altogether more exotic. Lying just a short hike from the A498, the Watkin Pools are perfect for Instagrammers wanting wild swimming photos without trying too hard. Until this week, their popularity was taken granted and their use unquestioned. On Wednesday evening, two woman died in the pools. One was dragged from the water, the other was pulled out later by rescue teams but died despite desperate attempts to revive her. A police investigation is underway into an incident that's shocked and saddened the whole of Britain. You can read our story on the tragedy here Any activity in the mountains carries a degree of inherent danger: on average eight people die each year on Yr Wyddfa, from a combination of falls, trips and health conditions. Few have fallen victim to the mountain's lakes, streams and pools. While the cause of this week's tragedy has yet to be confirmed, wild swimming – or just taking a quick plunge – is not without risk, especially in ice-cold mountain waters where rocks can be slippery and jagged. This week the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) UK issued a special warning to Welsh residents and visitors to stay vigilant when in, on or around, water this summer. It follows new figures showing that, in 2024, Wales had a drowning rate double the UK National average. During the year there were 18 accidental drownings and a further 19 involving water where the cause of death is yet to be officially confirmed. Matt Croxall, interim charity director at RLSS UK, said: 'The high drowning rate reported in Wales emphasises just how important it is that families are aware of the importance of water safety and have the correct knowledge to be safe around water.' Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now (Image: Ian Lilley) The popularity of Yr Wyddfa's Watkin Pools exploded in the wake of the Covid pandemic. Analysis of parking data from 2021 showed a dramatic 64% rise in the use of the Pont Bethania car park in Nant Gwynant compared with the pre-Covid year of 2019. Some of these users will have been hikers ascending the Watkin Path, regarded as one of the toughest routes to the summit. But Eryri National Park officers believe much of the increase was due to 'trending social media posts' for the photogenic Watkin Pools. At the time, one travel website described it as 'one of the most beautiful spots in the whole of Snowdonia and, maybe therefore, in the whole of the UK'. Since then, the superlatives have only become more gushing. Guides describe the pools as a 'perfect cool-down' for walkers trudging up the mountain. In reality, many of those taking a dip do it purely to luxuriate in the surroundings and grab all-important photos before heading straight back down. It's been rated one of the best places in the UK to inspire 'Insta envy'. (Image: Ian Lilley) Not so long ago the Watkin cascades were named the UK's second best 'hidden waterfalls'. Their ubiquity on social media suggests they are far from 'hidden' but it's easy to see why they are popular. 'Paradise found!' exclaimed one swimmer on YouTube. If not aqua blue on cloudy days, the waters are always crystal clear. In some cascade sections, users imagine themselves in 'infinity pools', peering out over rocky outcrops to beautiful views of the Nant Gwynant valley below. Dangling from a branch above a tree-lined pool is a makeshift rope swing. Between two others is a slab of rock that doubles as a slide. Hundreds of clips have been posted on TikTok where the cascades are increasingly being called 'Snowdon's fairy pools'. One visitor said: '5-star turquoise waters – the kind of place that makes you feel like its summer on the darkest day. Crystal clear, ice cold, delicious. Children adore it.' In recent years, solitude has become harder to find in the pools. Visitors advise it's best to arrive early to avoid the crowds as the waterfalls get busy after lunch. More often than not on sunny days, users end up sharing their 'paradise' with others. However you don't have to get wet to enjoy the cascades and their iconic slab bridge. Picnics here have become ever more popular and the ground nearby increasingly worn. All visits to the mountains come with a health warning, as this week's double tragedy starkly illustrates. Yet each year more than 600,000 people still head to Yr Wyddfa for the life-affirming challenge and beauty that it offers. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Find out what's happening near you
