In the heart of the beautiful North Yorkshire Moors lies the valley of Farndale, known for its glorious population of wild daffodils. Blooming each spring along a seven-mile stretch of the River Dove, this stunning bright yellow flowers bring flocks of visitors to the Dales every year to witness the sight of natural beauty.
The walk in what has become known as ‘Daffodil Dale’ is three and a half miles long, beginning at Low Mill, winding through to Church Houses, and then back again. Depending on the weather, the daffodils usually flower between mid-March and mid-April, but the walk is truly charming and serenely peaceful at any time of year.
The Daffodils of Farndale
Each spring, stunning golden daffodils brighten up the valley of Farndale with a dazzling display of colour which carpets the meadows and riverbanks along a seven-mile stretch of the River Dove.
It’s been said that monks from the nearby Rievaulx Abbey planted the first daffodil bulbs in Farndale in medieval times. These daffodils have notably shorter stems than the cultivated variety, and they’re often also called Lent Lilies as they generally appear around the time of Lent.
The petite wild daffodil is native to Farndale, growing naturally on its riverbanks, damp meadows and open woodlands, which are the ideal conditions for it to thrive. In 1955, the Farndale Local Nature Reserve was created to safeguard and protect the valley’s famous flowers.
What Makes Farndale the Perfect Environment for Daffodils?
Wild daffodils love to grow on riverbanks, grassland and woodland, especially when there’s shade at the edges and no other plant life invading the space. This is a near-perfect description of Farndale, with the River Dove winding through the meadows and lightly wooded areas of the agricultural dale.
These brightly coloured flowers spread through the valley by one of two ways: their seeds fall on the ground, or their bulbs are carried downriver. Though the Farndale daffodils usually present a grand display each spring, the weather does impact their growth, and extremes of any kind – from overly wet autumns to cold springs – mean that numbers vary from year to year.
The National Park Authority, as well as nature-loving local landowners, do a wonderful job of looking after the local habitat; maintaining footpaths to keep visitors from treading over our flower friends and causing damage to the leaves or roots as they grow. They also cut back shrubs and branches to provide the daffodils with as much light as possible to survive and thrive.
Embarking on the Famous Farndale Daffodil Walk
Before you begin your adventure into these scenes of incredible natural beauty, you might want to find out a little bit more about the route you’ll be walking.
You can find the route on the North York Moors website, or you could pick up a Farndale walk leaflet at the National Park’s customer information point (situated at Low Mill car park).
The walk is three and a half miles long and perfectly linear, reaching from Low Mill to Church Houses and back. The path along the River Dove is clearly marked, and it’s mostly level with two short inclines. You will encounter a few gates to pass through, and you’ll be walking through farmland, so you may get muddy!
If you’re bringing a four-legged friend along on your daffodil adventure, you’ll need to keep them on a lead (or at least close by you) at all times.
Farndale’s daffodil meadows and woodlands are privately owned and form part of working farms, so be sure to stick to designated footpaths to protect the flowers.
Daffodils are a treat for everyone’s eyes, so preserve the beauty and don’t pick them out of the ground. Leave them for future generations to see and enjoy.
Top Tips for Enjoying Your Daffodil Walk
If you want to make your daffodil walk extra special, we’ve got some top tips on the best ways to enjoy your adventure…
- Embark on your walk in early spring to see the valley flooded with yellow daffodils, or late spring to see the blooming bluebells too
- Stop off at Daffy Caffy at High Mill or the Feversham Arms at Church Houses to refuel during or after your beautiful scenic walk
- Take some cash so you can buy local eggs or homemade jam from farm gate sales
- If you need a wheelchair or pushchair-accessible route, walk along the River Dove and over to the Daffy Caffy to find an access-friendly route
Book Your Spring Getaway with Valley View Farm Cottages
Valley View Farm Cottages lies less than a 40-minute drive from Farndale, making it the ideal place to stay while you explore the incredible natural beauty that North Yorkshire has to offer. Situated in the stunning surroundings of Old Byland, near Helmsley, our six cottages overlook stunning spring views of grazing sheep on the North Yorkshire Moors. Book your beautiful spring staycation today!
