The daffodils in Farndale, North Yorkshire, are one of the hidden joys of England but for those like me who know about them they are an annual delight. Last year I was caught in a snowstorm (!) but this year the sun shone all day long and there was no sign of rain. I travelled on the Moorsbus to Helmsley and made the connection there with another bus to Hutton le Hole, itself a picturesque village with an interesting museum of rural life. But this time I was aiming for further afield and caught the little "daffodil bus" to Church Houses at the far end of the valley. (This service runs on Sundays and Bank Holidays in the Easter season to keep motor traffic to a minimum on the narrow roads but those with limited mobility using a wheelchair might be better served by using private transport to reach the area.) From Church Houses I followed the pathway along the River Dove, enjoying the profusion of daffodils, as far as Low Mill, before retracing my steps to Helmsley. The pathway is wheelchair accessible for a good part of the way though there are some steep inclines further along the route. It is possible to get refreshments at Church Houses, the Daffy Cafe en route and Low Mill. The Moorsbus continues until October this year and connects towns and cities in North and East Yorkshire to the bus network centred on Helmsley. If you have an all-England travel pass there is no charge for the Moorsbus but everyone pays £3 for the daffodil bus as it is a limited service. Some places offer concessions for bus travellers. Be quick if you want to see the daffodils as they're at their best right now and the Moorsbus service is under threat for the future, unfortunately.
