Farndale Wild Daffodils
Farndale Wild Daffodils Enjoy Spring nature at its very best with a wonderful walk to view the wild daffodils in Farndale, in the North York Moors. We share photos and experiences from our trip.... Every Spring, this valley - 'The Daffodil Dale' - becomes one of the most popular parts of the North York Moors National Park... because of its pretty, wild daffodils flowering throughout the valley. It is usually around Easter that the display is at its best - we visited this year (2010) in the middle of April - and the daffodils were lovely, although some were just getting past their best.
The whole of the Farndale valley has displays of wild daffodils, but the popular 'Daffodil Walk' is between the 2 tiny villages of Low Mill and Church Houses, along a specially constructed walk, by the banks of the River Dove.
Wild daffodils - also known as the 'Lenten Lily' and 'Narcissus pseudonarcissus' - have grown in this dale for centuries. It is not known for sure how they got there - perhaps planted by the monks of Rievaulx Abbey, or, some say, by the Catholic priest, Father Postgate, who ministered his faith secretly to his 'flock' across the moors, and was eventually hung, drawn and quartered for his 'crimes'. In the 1950's, Farndale became a nature reserve, so that the daffodils could be protected for current and future generations. It is an offence to pick any of the wild daffodils - so don't be tempted! There are lovely walks all across the dale, but the famous 'Daffodil Walk' starts at Low Mill.
Park your car in a large car parking field at Low Mill - there is a nominal charge - £2 at the date of our visit (April 2010) - where there are also public toilets, and a temporary National Park Information Point. The area can get very busy in the daffodil season, particularly at weekends. Weekdays are considerably quieter... ...or, you may consider using the Moors Bus Shuttle Bus - operating Sundays and Bank Holidays (through the daffodil season) from Hutton-le-Hole - More information about the Shuttle bus service, here... On quieter days, you may be able to park by the roadside in Church Houses. We parked at Low Mill, and took the walk up to Church Houses, along the edges of the River Dove.
There is a solid path the whole route - so it should mostly be dry underfoot, and (aside from a couple of short inclines) the path is flat and smooth, so should be suitable for pushchairs and wheel chairs. There are stockgates all along the route - so no stiles. The walk itself is very pleasant, with views of the delightful wild daffodils that really brighten up your day.
The route is around 3 and a half miles - it took us just under 2 hours, at a relaxed walking pace, with plenty of photo stops. Get well deserved refreshments at:
We ate our lunch at The Feversham Arms. There are also plenty of lovely daffodils in the Churchyard of St. Mary's Church, in Church Houses, and more wild daffodils and pleasant walks around nearby Lowna. On the route back from Church Houses, you can take alternative footpaths bak up through the fields to make it a round trip - we almost took this route, but as we were tired and a bit concerned about getting lost, we just returned back along the main route.
If you miss the daffodil season, check out the lovely bluebells, which usually decorate the route a few weeks after the daffodil display is over. Farndale is much quieter outside of daffodil season, so consider a visit 'out of season' too, to enjoy a different aspect of this lovely, tranquil dale.
Farndale Wild Daffodils on the MapThis map is interactive.
I hope you enjoy this walk as much as we did... please check your route on appropriate maps, and take care with the weather and take appropriate safety precautions. If the above map interests you, please come back and use the link on this page to buy. The price to you is always the same, but I will earn a small commission. This allows me to continue to provide you with the information on this Yorkshire coast website, all for free. Thanks for your continued support :) Find out about the current state of daffodils, parking and footpaths in the area, here... More about the nearby beautiful North York Moors More about the Danby Visitors Centre - National Park Moors Centre - where to visit for more info about the area. More about our experience at The Feversham Arms in Church Houses. Have you got your free subscription to 'Yorkshire Coast Lines' yet? Receive your free, monthly, e-mail newsletter, full of ideas for days out and excursions along the Yorkshire coast, and upcoming local events... straight to your inbox. Return to the main Walking in Yorkshire page for more walk suggestions Return from this Farndale Wild Daffodils page to the Home Page  Custom Search Yorkshire East Coast Unofficial Guide Bringing you ideas and information for your British holidays, short breaks and days out in the UK... ...from Whitby to Scarborough, Filey, Bridlington, Hornsea, Withernsea, North York Moors and beyond… Discover and Enjoy Your Coastline… 
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