“A host of Golden Daffodils” - Wordsworth
As we started to marvel at the blooming of the Snow Drops and see the Daffodils slowly starting to emerge from the frozen ground, Ciara, Dennis and Jorge decided to extend winter even further. As beautiful as the snow-capped peaks are, we all have been looking forward to a final thaw and the dance of the Daffodils to arrive.
April 2020 will see the 250th anniversary of the birth of one of the world’s most celebrated poets: William Wordsworth, who so perfectly encapsulated the daffodils impact in his poem “I Wondered Lonely as a Cloud”.
Although these spritely blooms can be seen throughout our gardens and even on the roads leading to Linthwaite House, we have chosen a handful of walks in the nearby area to ensure you too can dance through the fields of yellow and orange daffodils gently nodding in the Spring breeze.
Dora’s Field, Ambleside
Just down the road from Allan Bank in Grasmere, is Dora’s Field, a semi-open woodland known for its displays of daffodils, which was once owned by William Wordsworth. When Wordsworth’s daughter Dora died of tuberculosis, he and his wife planted hundreds of daffodil bulbs in her memory, and they still grow there to this day. This is an easy stroll through the field with the town of Grasmere nearby, where guests can visit Wordworth’s grave and a small daffodil garden in his honour.
Sizergh Castle, Kendal
The seven-acre garden at Sizergh is full of variety and colour in spring. Look out for original Lakeland daffodils carpeting the wildflower bank and Snakeshead Fritillaria nodding to the cherry blossom above in the Small Orchard. You'll also find dwarf daffodils and blue Muscari nestling among the limestone in the rock garden. Be sure to stop at Sizergh Barn, the farm shop next door to pick up some delicious local treats.
Brigsteer Woods, Kendal
Walk past a medieval castle and glowing wild daffodils with this four-mile walk in the Lake District National Park. Far more secret are the woods above the tiny village of Brigsteer, nestled amid limestone hills above the Lyth Valley and Morecambe Bay. Here, wild Lenten lilies (an old English name for a native wild daffodil) stud the wooded slopes of Brigsteer Park.
Ullswater Way, Ullswater
The Ullswater way is a 20-mile walking route around Ullswater. If you can’t manage 20 miles in one walk, then an open top bus or steamer can help you break the walk into shorter sections. It is said that it was, whilst walking on the banks of Ullswater, that Wordsworth was inspired by the Daffodils to write what some deem his most famous poem, however, the poet also penned “The Somnambulist” (1833) whist visiting Aira Force. Aira Force is where a beck plunges down the glaciated valley into Ullswater and is a site to behold.
Daffodils in Ullswater
Daffodils on the banks of Ullswater
Daffodils near the Church
These are some of our favourites, however, our reception team is at hand to assist with several different recommendations based on distance or fitness level, or, of course, proximity to the cosiest pub.