The foliage looks like aquilegia and is a traditional garden plant.

You say you have seen it in the countryside, I wonder if that has been meadow rue or Thalictrum. That is also a nice garden plant.

so only a weed if you don't want it.

I thought it looked like Aquilegia, but with the poster saying it was seen in the countryside I began to wonder.

Thank you for your comments I will leave it in and see what develops.
Regards
iain_p

Yes I would say Aquilegia, I bought some with me when I moved here, planted in my back garden and they have spread all over my front garden and a few neighbor's have them now, I have jus picked a few to put in a vase to go with some sweet peas. I love them.

I've seen them on verges round here. They do seed easily and I think they must originally have been garden escapes.
They have seeded themselves from some garden varieties on an uncultivated bank at the side of our garden too. Keep them if you like them and/or buy a packet of seed of the fancier ones for next year. They are easily uprooted if you get too many.

Thank you so much for your comments I also have come to the conclusion that it must be aquilegia.
Iain_p