For most people, the sight of the first daffodils, with their beautiful yellow heads is a sign that Spring has finally arrived. The poem Daffodowndilly by AA Milne sums it up well:
She wore her yellow sun-bonnet,
She wore her greenest gown;
She turned to the south wind
And curtsied up and down.
She turned to the sunlight
And shook her yellow head,
And whispered to her neighbour:
‘Winter is dead.’
The wild daffodil, sometimes called the Lent lily due to the time it flowers, is smaller than garden cultivars, but as with snowdrops and bluebells, when flowering en masse is a beautiful sight. Depending on the weather, wild daffodils flower from mid March to April.
Whilst wild daffodils were once a common sight in England, over the years intensive agricultural practices has led to them becoming less common. In Gloucestershire, around the villages of Cymock, Kempley and Oxenhall, wild daffodils once carpeted the meadows, orchards and woods, and for this reason it is known as the Golden Triangle. Good conservation practices by local farmers and landowners, as well as the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust has preserved some special sites where wild daffodils are still flourishing in abundance.
The Daffodil Way is a popular way to enjoy the wild daffodils in the Golden Triangle. The famous 10 mile circular walk takes you through meadows, orchards and woods. On the weekend of 14th and 15th March Kempley Daffodil Weekend takes place, with the Village Hall hosting teas and refreshements as well as walking tours.