Once a year, we have the amazing opportunity to stroll around York’s most iconic landmarks, in the joyful company of daffodils. Natural and historic beauty set each other off perfectly. It’s the best of York!
Start by enjoying the blooms on the green mound of Clifford’s Tower. Next, cross Tower Street into the riverside Tower Gardens, across Skeldergate Bridge and onto the Walls at Baille Hill just the other side. Stroll round the Walls, pausing often to gaze at the sprightly yellow flowers on the embankments either side. When you reach Lendal Bridge, cross the Bridge for a golden finale in the Museum Gardens, by the ruins of St Mary’s Abbey. You can return to your start through the city centre, via Coney Street and Castlegate.
There’s a good map of walking and cycling routes and streets around York centre here.
Tuning into daffodils
William Wordsworth said it best:
“A poet could but be gay
In such a jocund company:
I gazed – and gazed – but little thought
What wealth to me the show had brought.
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant and in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills
And dances with the daffodils.”
Practicalities
There’s plenty of buses into the centre of York. If coming by bike, you can find cycle parking on the Castlegate edge of Clifford’s Tower car park.
Accessibility: There are steps from Tower Gardens to Skeldergate Bridge and up onto the Walls at Baille Hill. To avoid steps to Skeldergate Bridge, follow Tower Street round onto the Bridge. To avoid steps at Baille Hill, go round to the right of the Hill and follow Newton Terrace/ Lower Priory Street/ Priory Street round the Walls onto Micklegate. Turn right down Micklegate, and left at the bottom onto North Street. Follow North Street to Lendal Bridge and then across the Bridge to your finish in the Museum Gardens.
Giving something back
Make a note to plant more daffodils next year – there’s over 13,000 varieties, but just one native one.
Refrain from picking them. A picked daffodil lasts a few days, whereas daffodils left to grow can last for 6 weeks and give pleasure to many!
You can find other Nature Time routes across York through the seasons from us here. Enjoy time in Nature on a green route walk or ride – all year round!
We rely on donations and grants to fund our work towards a healthy, green and kind York. You can donate at https://yorkbikebelles.community/donate/.
#DanceWithTheDaffodils #NatureTimeRoutes #WalkCycleLife #Wellbeing #HealthyGreenKindYork
York Bike Belles 