Farndale

Farndale is a quiet dale in North Yorkshire, set within the North York Moors National Park. The valley stretches for seven miles along the River Dove, surrounded by wild moorland and high ridges such as Blakey Ridge and Cockayne Ridge. Three small hamlets—Church Houses, Low Mill and Lowna—lie along the dale, each with its own character. Traditional dry stone walls mark the boundaries of scattered farms and meadows. The River Dove rises on Westerdale Moor and winds south through the valley, fed by several tributaries. The dale is best known for its spring display of wild daffodils, which appear around Lent each year. These shorter-stemmed flowers are thought to have been planted by medieval monks. In 1955 the majority of Farndale north of Lowna became a Local Nature Reserve to protect the daffodils and their habitat. Over forty thousand visitors come each spring to walk the banks of the Dove and see the blossoms. The daffodils are also called Lent Lilies in the dale, marking the season with golden colour. Walkers can follow the famous daffodil path that begins at Low Mill and leads past High Mill to Church Houses. The route passes traditional buildings and offers views of the surrounding moors. St Mary’s Church, built in 1831 and restored in the early 20th century, stands near the start of the walk. Nearby is the Farndale War Memorial, listing local men lost in the First World War. At the southern end of the dale lies the old Quaker burial ground at Lowna, used between 1675 and 1854.