AN eruption of pink-like confetti flowers has seen Dunster Castle named the UK’s number one blossom hotspot this spring, ahead of locations such as the famous Kew Gardens.

The National Trust-owned ancient castle gained 9.3 out of a possible 10 points to top a chart compiled by researchers at Sun Bingo.

The researchers created a ‘Blossom Hotspot’ index, scoring individual locations mapped around the UK out of 10.

They retrieved data based on the number of Google searches, size of park, and time it would take to walk the park, officially ranking each for where to see the UK’s prettiest blossoms.

A spokeswoman said Dunster was dubbed the prettiest of all locations ranked, possibly because of the vast number of cherry trees planted around the grounds of the castle.

She said: “The blooms are usually in full bloom around the end of April, and the views of the castle and the surrounding countryside are even more spectacular.”

Dunster pushed the Royal Horticultural Society Garden Wisley, in Surrey, into second place and London’s Kew Gardens into third spot.

A view of Dunster Castle.
A view of Dunster Castle. (Shutterstock)

Wisley was the second largest park, taking people an average 97 minutes to walk around it, and scored 7.8 out of 10 while Kew, which has 20 varieties of cherry blossom ranging from Japanese to Chinese with many trees having been growing for more than a century, took 7.5 points.

Dunster Castle is surrounded by Grade II* listed parkland and a river which is home to otters, kingfishers, and salmon, and a terraced garden home to Mediterranean and subtropical plants.

It also boasts an unusual Victorian reservoir built to supply water to the castle and gardens, and a working Victorian watermill with three floors of traditional machinery and running milling demonstrations.

The National Trust is encouraging people to celebrate the fleeting seasonal spectacle of blossom in its first ever ‘Blossom Week’, which started on April 24.

‘Blossom Week’ was inspired by the Japanese tradition of ‘Hanami’, a popular custom where people of all ages get together to enjoy the transient beauty of cherry blossom.

It has been designed as a natural peak to the campaign when the majority of the country will have some sort of blossom in bloom, from blackthorn and cherry to apple and pear.

The charity hopes to encourage people across the UK to go outside to enjoy the fleeting beauty of the spring phenomenon either in their own gardens or local parks, or by exploring the programme of blossom-inspired events at National Trust locations, made possible with funds raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

Trust head of gardens and parklands Andy Jasper said: “We are at the epicentre of a truly magnificent show of blossom.

“Thanks to the slightly delayed start to the season, brought on by a particularly dry February and late cold snaps, we now get to enjoy nature’s dazzling play of colours for even longer, particularly because the weather has remained cooler than we might have expected and has given nature the space to do what it does best.

A long distance shot of Dunster Castle viewed from the south.
Dunster Castle viewed from the south. (Magnus Rew)

“Now more than ever there is so much to explore and discover in gardens and parks all over the country, and there has never been a better time to get outside and take a moment to observe nature waking up in front of our very eyes.”

The trust’s blossom programme manager, Annie Reilly, said: “Blossom Week is a chance, at the peak of the blossom season as the days grow longer and winter fades, for us all to celebrate the simple power of blossom as it brings joy, beauty, and bounce to us all.

“We are encouraging everybody, wherever they are, to take part.

“You can share a photo, have a picnic, visit a park, or just pause to breathe under a tree.

“Blossom is for everybody, and Blossom Week is about everybody enjoying nature’s biggest show in whatever way they want.”

Blossom-themed events and activities will be happening at more than 70 National Trust properties during the week, including an interactive ‘Bloomtown’ trail highlighting 30 of the best places to see blossom in Manchester, a blossom photography trail in Dyffryn Gardens, South Wales, a community art project at Shugborough, Staffordshire, and a multi-sensory exhibition in Blickling, Norfolk.