Wildflowers: The ‘best wildflower site in Nottinghamshire’ where you can see 230 flower species this spring

Just a quick glance at the Met Office website will tell you that spring has well and truly arrived.

Current forecasts predict wall-to-wall sunshine in Nottinghamshire over the next seven days, with highs of 20C.

But as we all know, here in England we shouldn’t count our chickens too early when it comes to the weather.

A fine week ahead is no guarantee of a record-breakingly warm April, so it’s important to make the most of nice weather while we have it.

If you’re someone who enjoys the feeling of renewal that comes with spring, then exploring the beautiful Nottinghamshire countryside is a great way to make the most of the sunshine.

We’re spoilt for choice when it comes to green spaces in Nottinghamshire, but we’re pretty sure that Wilwell Farm Cutting Nature Reserve is one of the very best.

Wilwell Farm Cutting Nature Reserve

Nestled off Ruddington Lane, West Bridgford, Wilwell Farm Cutting Nature Reserve is described by Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust as one of the county’s best wildflower sites.

More than 230 species have been recorded, including high numbers of meadow saxifrage and great burnet.

The reserve was originally farmland, before a cutting was constructed in the 1890s to accommodate the Great Central Railway’s London Extension.

Following the closure of the Great Central Mainline in 1969, the site was converted into a nature reserve.

Alongside its array of wildflowers, 20 species of butterflies have been recorded at the reserve.

At just eight hectares in size, the nature reserve is small enough to explore in a morning or an afternoon.

A single trail takes visitors around the reserve, so you won’t have to worry about getting lost!

Sheep are regularly kept on the reserve, meaning dogs must be kept on-lead.