18/03/2026
THE FARNDALE DAFFODIL WALK - ROUTE 2 * LOWNA CIRCULAR
A quieter alternative to the Low Mill walk, this 4km circular route starts at Lowna at the bottom end of Farndale and takes you along the River Dove, up through ancient woodland, past open farmland and back via one of the valley's most curious hidden gems, an old Quaker burial ground.
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GETTING HERE
From Kirkbymoorside, head out along Gillamore Road and Kirby Lane to Gillamoor. At Surprise View next to the church, drop down Gillamoor Bank as though heading for Farndale. Don't take the first left to Low Mill - carry on a little further and look for a small left turn. There's a modest car park here. That's your start point.
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THE WALK
From the car park, follow the lane to its end and cross the bridge over the River Dove. Here you have a choice - you can walk this circular route in either direction.
Turn right first, following the river northwards with the water alongside you. In spring the daffodils carpet the woodland floor and line the riverbank in sweeping drifts — it's one of the less visited stretches of the Farndale daffodil trail and all the better for it.
Continue along the riverbank until you reach a camping barn. Cross the bridge here, pass the house, and follow the path up into the woods. The woodland floor is thick with daffodils in spring, making the climb feel less like effort and more like walking through a painting. It's a steady ascent, nothing too demanding, but walking boots are advisable as the path can be uneven and muddy in places.
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OPEN FIELDS & HAGG END FARM
Emerge from the woodland into open farmland and follow the path towards and past Hagg End Farm. Continue along the field edges - keeping three fields to your left, until you meet a track. Turn left here.
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THE RETURN THROUGH THE WOODS
Follow the track along the treeline and back down through the woodland. The descent is straightforward and the path is clear. Keep following it and it will lead you past the old Quaker burial ground — a genuinely unexpected and atmospheric spot tucked quietly into the landscape. Worth pausing at if you have an interest in local history.
From there the path leads you directly back to the bridge and the car park where you started.
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📍 ROUTE FACTS
🗺 Distance: 4km (approx 2.5 miles)
⏱ Time: allow 1.5 to 2 hours
📈 Terrain: riverside path, steady woodland climb, open farmland tracks
👢 Footwear: walking boots recommended
🌼 Best season: spring for daffodils, though beautiful year round
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NOTE* this route includes uneven woodland paths and farm tracks. Not suitable for pushchairs or prams. Well behaved dogs welcome — please keep them on leads around farmland.
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ROUTE MAP
https://explore.osmaps.com/route/31027148/farndale-daffodil-walk-lowna?lat=54.31811&lon=-0.9547&zoom=13.9754&overlays=os-obstacles-layer&style=Standard&type=2d
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CAR PARK
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https://w3w.co/name.imply.hands
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