This short walk will take about half an hour at a gentle pace and allow you to take in the wonderful crocuses planted along the central tree lined avenue.
Crocuses at Bitts Park, Carlisle
By car, you can park in the car park just between Carlisle Castle and Bitts Park.
Access by wheelchair or for those with children is easy along the wide tarmac paths which snake their way around the park.
You can take a circular route around the park if you start with the tennis courts to your left. At the river bear right and follow the path which leads along the river bank.
At the steps and tunnel again bear right and you will return to your starting point and the car park.
Here is an aerial map of the area.
A statue of Queen Victoria unveiled in 1902 takes pride of place on manicured lawns, giving the park the local name of “Victoria Park”.
On one side you will have the River Eden with mounds of snowdrops and wild garlic starting to appear along its banks and views to the North of the City.
The centre of the park has well maintained herbaceous borders containing evergreens, willow and azaleas, which look amazing in May, but are equally beautiful at his time of year,
The recently completed flood defences are much more architectural than previously existed and give easy access to the park from Castle Way. These have now been planted up with new trees and herbaceous perennials.
Crocuses are very short lived and will only last about one week, we caught these in bloom on the last day of February 2009. For those who may miss this display we have added a gallery below.
Where to see Crocuses;
The Garden House, near Yelverton, Devon.
Howick Gardens, Alnwick, Northumberland.
Kew Gardens. Richmond, Surrey.
Do you have any favourite places to see Crocuses? Send us your pictures.