The Gatten Valley Daffodil Field

The Gatten Valley Daffodil Field

In between the hills of the Stiperstones and the Long Mynd sits Gatten Valley. With only a postcode for guidance, I followed the satnav, hoping it would take me to a field of daffodils. When it chimed “You have arrived at your destination”, I looked at the single-track lane in front of me and at the fields around us… No, no daffodils here. Not a single one. I drove on, seemingly in the middle of nowhere, going deeper into the wilds of Shropshire. Then, having passed through some trees, there was the daffodil field. Despite the seeming remoteness, we weren’t the only ones there. 10 cars were parked up.

Across the little bridge and through the wicket gate, 170,000 daffodils have been planted to create The Gatten Valley Daffodil Field.

Two daffodils carved into a tree stump.

Across the little bridge and through the wicket gate, 170,000 daffodils have been planted to create The Gatten Valley Daffodil Field. A sign gently prompts visitors to make a donation in aid of Marie Curie. Just over the little bridge, a couple of daffodils have been carved into the side of a tree stump.

170,000 daffodils.

A close up of a daffodil with many other daffodils in the background.

A daffodil close-up.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many daffodils in one place. Swathes of daffodils covered the field. Such a beautiful sight to see and a wonderful idea. Birdsong provided a fitting backing track whilst we enjoyed our surroundings.

170,000 daffodils planted in aid of Marie Curie.
The Gatten Valley Daffodil Field.

A cluster of daffodils.

A field full of daffodils in Shropshire.

Despite the number of cars parked up, there were very few people around. Most must have gone walking or hiking, though a family was picnicking by the stream. When we first got there we said we should have taken a picnic and had our lunch there. Maybe next time.

A stream and little bridge leading to the field of daffodils.

It was lovely to have a walk around the daffodils (and take a few photos, of course) and it was well worth the drive. I’m sure we’ll go again next year.

35 comments

  1. Hi Nikki,

    That is certainly an amazing sight and well worth the drive! Great photos, as always, really help to capture the scene. There have been a lot of daffodils around this year and their season has also seemed a little longer than usual.

    I really enjoy this time of year, as we will soon be into the bluebell season, when we generally take a drive up to ‘Badbury Hill’ in Oxfordshire, to visit the bluebell woods there.

    Then of course there are the Rhododendron gardens, of which there are many in this part of the country, so choosing one to visit is never really a problem, even with the reduced number of tickets available because of Covid!

    I hope that you are keeping well, it was great to hear from you 🙂

  2. Kris P says:

    That is some daffodil display! My local botanic garden advertised its spring bulb display as a “superbloom” (an incorrect use of the term which is meant to refer to the massive desert wildflower displays that occur periodically following significant rainfall) but it was paltry by comparison to your Gatten Valley display.

  3. Tilly says:

    Beautiful, oddly there are very few daffs here. We usually have a lot in the hedge rows of a local road, but not a one this year, even the ones in our garden have failed this year

  4. I am so pleased that you persevered to find your daffodil field and share with us. I visit a wood in Somerset most years to see the wild daffodils, and once went on a long wild daffodil walk in the Dymock area of Gloucestershire

  5. Ann says:

    Oh those daffodils are a sight for sore eyes, Nikki, and that wood carving is absolutely stunning too! Although I did choke up a bit at reading its location between the Stiperstones and the Long Mynd. Such a beautiful area and our holiday destination in 2018 and 2019. We were set to go again last June, but obviously had to cancel and re-book. This morning we had to re-book yet again, and now we’re keeping our fingers crossed for 2022. On the other hand, I had a good giggle at your Satnav’s antics. I think it must be related to ours 🙂 xxx

  6. Susan Paynton says:

    That’s absolutely stunning Nikki – so beautiful. I’ll try and find it on the map. I walked around there last summer.

    • Nikki says:

      Hi Alex,
      The Gatten Valley Daffodil Field, SY5 0SJ
      They should be out for Easter as they are only just beginning to flower at the moment.

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