Route: Constable Burton and Jervaulx Abbey
Area: North Yorkshire
Date of walk: 30th March 2017
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 2.0 miles
Weather: Cloudy
Our recent walk in Farndale had inspired us to seek out more daffodil displays and so it was that we came to visit Constable Burton Hall today. The hall itself is a Grade I listed Georgian mansion and privately owned, and it stands in extensive woodland and formal gardens. The woodland area is a perfect backdrop for the daffodil display, though there are other seasonal attractions at other times of the year
A garden trail leaflet is available by the parking place and we followed this and the accompanying signs through the various parts of the garden, including the Sundial Garden, the Terrace Garden, Granny’s Garden, and the Reflection Ponds, arriving as a grand finale at the Daffodil Field
Here we saw one of the best displays of daffodils I can recall – numerous different species had naturalised beneath the old oak trees – a magnificent sight
More was to come – we then drove over to nearby Jervaulx Abbey, the country’s largest privately owned Cistercian Abbey. The abbey relies on donations to survive and there is an honesty box at the entrance. After wandering around the atmospheric ruins for a while we visited the Tea Rooms (it would be rude not to do so) and picked up a leaflet detailing a 6 mile walk from the abbey. I hope to return one day and include this as a ‘proper’ walk
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The day before the walk, non-stop rain and a red squirrel with built in umbrella
A redpoll in the garden
Next day, Constable Burton Hall (not to be confused with Burton Constable Hall)
Looking towards the Daffodil Field from the car park
Lime Avenue
Green tapestry on the woodland floor
Hellebore
The Daffodil Field - we turn left here and will return to the field at the end of the walk
Ancient lime trees
The path takes us along the edge of the Daffodil Field
Bridge leading to the Reflection Pond
Skunk Cabbage, which has an unpleasant smell - hence the name
The ice from the pond once supplied ice to the small ice house beyond - the Georgian refrigeration system
The garden has interest throughout the year but the undoubted highlight at the moment is the daffodil display…
The final resting place of the family pets
A few close-ups…
A wonderful place, and we hope to return
A few minutes later we arrive at nearby Jervaulx Abbey
The abbey dates back to 1152 and was purchased by Major and Mrs Burdon in 1971
Since then the family have worked to conserve and restore the site…
We were glad to have visited this atmospheric place and hope to combine another visit with a walk one day
Next day, spring in the garden…
...and more daffodils
