Skipton Castle Woods has been highlighted as one of the best places to spot bluebells in Yorkshire.

Seas of bluebells are still on show in woods across the UK – including many of the Woodland Trust’s sites across Yorkshire.

But the Trust is warning that the hotter weather means they will likely be fading in the coming week.

And the Trust is keen to bust the myth that it takes a car journey to find them.

Emma Briggs leads the charity’s campaign to inspire people to visit woods close to them.

Emma said: “People often think they have to get in their cars and travel to find nature but in fact we have hundreds of woods, which are easily accessible for people living in towns and cities and in many cases surrounded by housing.

"They are great to visit all year round but of course now it is extra special with it being bluebell season.

“So why not take a visit to your local wood? Whether for a walk or to burn some energy off the kids, all our woods provide a free, natural and healthy place to go and have an adventure.”

Here’s her top picks of urban bluebell woods across Yorkshire:

l Skipton Castle Woods, a rare ancient woodland habitat straight off the high street and hidden behind one of Britain’s most popular medieval castles. The wood is one of the last remaining fragments of the great hunting woodland that stretched across North Yorkshire. The best way to experience this wood is to visit by walking along the spectacular tow path from Mill Bridge in the heart of Skipton. On arrival in the wood you will find a site map full of interesting features, suggested walking routes and more activities to try.

l West Wood at Calverley near Bradford, once the woodland garden of an imposing Victorian house and remains a fascinating oak wood with lots of quirky secrets to discover.

l Ireland Wood at Horsforth, Leeds, is a small site bordered on three sides by houses. The circular route along a well-defined path around the wood could be covered in 20 minutes.

l Beacon Wood is close to Sheffield city centre in the valley of the River Loxley. This ancient woodland has a fantastic carpet of ancient woodland flora including bluebells.

l Nidd Gorge woodland near Harrogate, which clings to a dramatic steep-sided valley. Its patchwork of habitats supports a wealth of wildlife and flora, and you’ll find relics of an intriguing history dating back to the Iron Age. The woodland floor is currently scattered with bluebell, wild garlic, celandine, and clumps of delicate, purple-veined wood sorrel, especially south of the river. It’s likely that the Iron Age fort at Gates Hill also once served as a Roundhead encampment during the siege of Knaresborough Castle.

The Woodland Trust owns more than 1,000 woods across the UK which are open free, year round to explore. For a full list, visit woodland trust.org.uk/woods