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. 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.
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.
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.
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
Yvonne (@Fiction_Books)
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 🙂
Nikki
Thanks! I’m hoping to be able to go bluebell hunting soon 🙂
Kris P
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.
Ann Coleman
I’ve never seen so many daffodils! Those are gorgeous!
Tilly
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
Elisabeth Allen
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
Johanna Bradley
What a lovely idea! There can be few better causes, and it’s beautiful 🙂
Jo
Wow, fabulous, and in such a beautiful setting too. They really make an impact grown en masse. I do like the carving in the tree.
SNiP
Wow! Such a lovely sight to see. A great place for photos for sure. I would love to see those carvings in person. It looks massive.
Joffrey Watson
I did that carving
My Facebook page is the chainsaw bloke
It’s on there somewhere in the past I’m sure
Somewhere in Ireland
The daffodils are a very pretty sight. I love the carving in the tree
stump, very nice. Glad you found this place, it’s beautiful to see. Have a wonderful day.
Shybiker
Wow, what beautiful pictures. Spring flowers always give us hope. And the carved tree-stump is adorable.
Kelly
What a spectacular and cheerful sight!! I’m impressed by the carving, too. It appears you had a beautiful day for the visit.
Eunice Ratcliffe
What a gorgeous sight to see, and I love the carving on the tree trunk 🙂
Ann
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
Nikki
I hope you get to visit in 2022!
Lisa
Oh my goodness, that is the daffodil field of dreams! I’ve never seen so many in one place, that’s just breathtaking!
Anabel @ The Glasgow Gallivanter
Those are magnificent!
Alan Rolfe
Always a delight to see. I saw my first daffodils before Christmas and there are just a. few still hanging on.
Nikki
Before Christmas? I don’t think I’ve seen any quite that early around here.
Sophie
Wow, this looks so beautiful. You picked a gorgeous day to explore too x
Sophie
Anca
Awww, I love the pictures. I saw poppy, rapeseed, bluebell, and snowdrops fields, but never with daffodils. It looks gorgeous!
jeanie
That is absolutely gorgeous! I’d love that so much!
Marty
Such beautiful pictures! So *many* daffodils too. 🙂
Susan Paynton
That’s absolutely stunning Nikki – so beautiful. I’ll try and find it on the map. I walked around there last summer.
Aimsy
What a beautiful place to visit! So many beautiful daffodils… I love that it benefits a charity too.
Looks like you had a great visit,
Aimsy xoxo
Aimsy’s Antics
Sharon Robinson
That looks a beautiful place to visit. And so nice that it benefits Marie Curie too. X
Eastside Cats
Beautiful!
Marie Curie? That’s interesting!
Nikki
Marie Curie is a charity which supports people living with terminal illness (named after the scientist, of course).
CherryPie
It looks wonderful. A great place for a picnic
Lauren
This looks like a beautiful place, so many beautiful flowers. You have taken some great photographs! Thank you for sharing.
Lauren
ed
WOWo. That looks amazing! What a great idea and also a fund raiser!
P-and-P
It is just beautiful. 🙂
♡ ☯ ☮ P&P style ☮ ☯ ♡
Alex
Hello,
What is the postcode / address please?
Thank you,
Alex
Nikki
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.