One of the best outings in the spring is the Farndale daffodil walk on the North Yorks Moors, which runs along side the River Dove for about 1½ miles, starting in the village of Low Mill and ending at Church Houses. Farndale is internationally famed for its show of wild daffodils which normally bloom around the end of March each year, a little after the best of the domesticated garden daffodils. It is believed the bulbs were first brought to Farndale by medieval monks from Rievaulx and these wild daffodils (narcissus pseudonarcissus) are also known by the old english name “Lenten Lily”,derived from the fact they normally bloom around Easter. You can get information on how the daffs are doing on the Farndale website.
Now, I would not normally encourage you to abandon your MX5 in favour of public transport but in this case it really is a good idea. You can enjoy the drive across the moors to Hutton Le Hole and then take one of the frequent buses up to Farndale. Every year more than 40,000 visitors come to admire the flowers and there is a real risk to the environment if everyone tries to drive all the way. So be green and have a great day out, it really is worth it!
Located on the outskirts of the market town of Malton, Eden Camp is a multi-award winning Modern History Theme Museum housed within the grounds of an original World War Two prisoner of war camp. It was developed into a museum by a local businessman to stand as a tribute to all people, civilian and military, who endured hardship throughout the second world war.
Today, Eden Camp has people of all ages visiting from around the world to see the story of World War Two re-created using sights, sounds, smells and moving figures to create a unique atmosphere that takes you back in time to wartime Britain.
Eden Camp is a really good day out for all the family, get more details by clicking on the logo:
If you are fascinated by our under sea world, as I am, then have a super day out at the marine sanctuary in Scarborough’s north bay. There is an enormous variety of sea creatures to see, from sharks to sea horses and the centre makes a great contribution to the protection of the local marine environment.
Located on the edge of town with easy access, dedicated parking and a good restaurant, the Sea Life centre is a great day out for all the family and is open all the year round. You can make considerable savings on ticket prices by buying your tickets on line before you set off; just click on the logo to find out more:
Whitby – Danby – Castleton – Hutton le Hole – Pickering – Whitby. 49 miles
There is no more beautiful drive in all of Yorkshirethan this loop across the Moors. From Whitby you climb up on the main road to Guisborough before turning off to make the steep descent into the lovely unspoilt villages of Danby and Castleton. There are so many reasons to stop, and you should do so, this is not a time trial but a gentle drive in wild country. The road then climbs again up towards Blakey ridge and the famous Lion Inn at 1325ft, which the Guardian recently described as “The best pub in the North Yorkshire Moors”.
Suitably refreshed, you head south again, taking great care to keep your speed down as the sheep wander happily into your path. This is the best part of the drive, yesterday you could see across completely unspoilt moorland to the city of York and as far as Drax power station, an astonishing 50 miles away! A long descent takes you to the hidden gem of Hutton le Hole with its wide village green and tumbling streams. Then it is back to civilisation on the fast sweeping road to the historic market town of Pickering and up over the remote moor again for the last leg, past the Fylingdales pyramid, to Whitby. We arrived home refreshed, exhilarated and determined to do it again very soon!
Click on the main photograph if you would like a map of the route, and on the Lion Inn logo to visit the pub.
This place is so lovely I wanted to keep it to myself. Situated on the edge of my favourite village of Helmsley, Duncombe Park is a magnificent stately home surrounded by the most beautiful gardens and parkland. As well as guided tours of the house you are free to explore the grounds and woodland whilst the youngsters have fun on the orienteering trails and adventure playground. You can see a map of the park and the walks by clicking on the photo below:
The really great thing about Duncombe Park is the sheer size of the estate and the feeling of space. You can wander peacefully for miles and if you need sustenance then visit their Fountain Tea Room for really top quality food. Just the long drive up to the house with the roof down and the birds singing is worth the trip! To find out more, click on the Coat of Arms:
after the best of the domesticated garden daffodils. It is believed the bulbs were first brought to Farndale by medieval monks from Rievaulx and these wild daffodils (narcissus pseudonarcissus) are also known by the old english name “Lenten Lily”,derived from the fact they normally bloom around Easter. You can get information on how the daffs are doing on the Farndale website.
