Fab Farndale: The Daffodil Dale - 7 miles

Return of this lovely walk which I couldn't find room for last year! Farndale is famous for its profusion of wild daffodils. Thousands of people are known to descend on Farndale during the 'yellow season'.

This is a fab, scenic walk but it does have its challenges! We start our walk from outside the Feversham Arms in Church Houses, following the track past the Daffy Caffy(!!), through High Mill and along to Low Mill via a delightful trail alongside the meandering river Dove, where we should see plenty of daffodils. On reaching Low Mill, we shall have our morning break since there are toilets and a general store there, which sells various niceties!

At this point we leave the river behind for a while and climb a steep road to observe the splendour of Farndale before dropping down into the valley bottom and up t’other side, which involves a good climb to reach a panoramic vista on the other side of Farndale.

Here we shall consume our packed lunches before taking a route back to Church Houses along a path halfway up the valley side, walking through the gently undulating landscape and ultimately picking up the riverside trail again just before returning to High Mill.

There are a number of narrow streams to step across and several stiles en route. There may be one or two boggy bits. Please note: there are two significant climbs on this walk, please consider your capabilities in keeping pace with the group.

The walk will be led at a steady pace: not too fast, not too slow. Please be ready to start walking at the advertised time. No mobile reception in the area.

Walk fee: £3. No dogs please. Bring packed lunch/drink/snacks with you.

MEETING POINT: Meet around the back of the Feversham Arms, the postcode of the pub is YO62 7LF.

DIRECTIONS: if you are travelling via Hutton-le-Hole/Blakey Ridge, look for the signpost saying Farndale/Church Houses/Feversham Arms (if travelling from HLH, ignore the first sign that just says Farndale). As you reach the t-junction in Church Houses, the village hall will be on your immediate left, for the church turn left and for field parking, turn right. The church is a ten minute walk from our meeting point.

NB: toilets available in the main car park in HLH!

Alternatively, if travelling from the A170 through Fadmoor and Gillamoor villages, the field car park will be on your rhs before you get to the pub and just before the sign saying you are entering Church Houses.

PARKING: Various options. A field is opened up for parking during daffodil season but availability is ‘weather-dependent’. Expect to pay a nominal charge. You can also park in front of the village hall or in the church car park, fees by way of donation.

PLEASE CAR SHARE WHERE POSSIBLE AS THERE WILL BE OTHER WALKERS/DAY TRIPPERS THERE FOR DAFFODIL SEASON!!

After-walk refreshment: the Feversham Arms in Church Houses is a very nice, old pub with a pleasant beer garden.

I have no formal walk leader or first-aid qualifications and the Group does not have insurance. When you RSVP for any walk, you accept that you remain responsible for your own safety at all times. You are required to respect the walk leader and be mindful of the safety of others. Please keep to the pace of the group and don’t go off ahead even if you think you know the route.