The best time to visit Dorset’s Poppy Field’s

Last July, when my husband was working in Blandford, he stumbled upon a gorgeous poppy field next to Badbury Rings, in Dorset.

On a visit to Badbury Rings at the end of May, we could see that the poppy’s were starting to bloom and made a plan to visit again.

Although the poppy field is in the same location as last year, they have closed off the parking we used, so you need to park at Badbury Rings and make the 15 minute walk along the Blandford Road to get there.

They have mowed a path to follow, which is clearly sign posted up to the entrance to the field. It is wide enough for a buggy or wheelchair, but as it is not paved it might be quite hard going, especially on the inclines.

The changeable weather here in the UK can mean that the poppy season in England can be quite long, lasting the whole summer, but July is usually the best month to spot them.

If you want to see the freshest blooms, mornings are when the buds open and the poppies are at their best as they can start to fade by the evening.

I have to admit that we saw more on our visit last year, but we went much later in July, so I am hopeful that these poppies are just the beginning as the flowers only last a single day when fully open

Our evening visit was fairly quiet, but there were a few people there including photographers and families, but all kept their distance.

It is important to try and follow the natural pathways in the field to not trample on the poppies and be prepared to walk more centrally for the best, undisturbed blooms.

After visiting the poppy field, we headed back to Badbury Rings to watch the sunset which was beautiful, although beware, as soon as the sun goes down the May Bugs come out to play and were everywhere!!!

Have you been out to see your local poppy fields?

• badbury rings
• Dorset
• Sunset