Wildflower Festival

June 11, 2015

Wildflowers flourish in the Yorkshire Dales because the area is home to an amazing variety of wildlife habitats, such as ancient woodlands, moors, traditionally-managed meadows and limestone pavement.

Our annual Flowers of the Dales Festival aims to showcase how this internationally-important landscape is managed and cared for through the efforts of farmers and conservation organisations.

The 2015 Festival is well underway, and is once again proving to be a great success with local people and visitors of all ages. In total 130 events are taking place, led by 23 different providers, all offering an opportunity to learn more about nature, wildflowers and the special Yorkshire Dales landscape.

Highlights so far have included guided walks, bumblebee identification, foraging and fudge making and scything courses, but there are still well over 80 events to tickle your fancy between now and November.

Examining a Bumblebee

We’re particularly excited about our guided meadow walk through in Grassington on Tues 16 June (there’s still a few spaces left!), the mini bioblitz event taking place on Sat 20 June at Ingleborough National Nature Reserve and the Hay Time Festival run by our friends at Berry’s Farm Shop in Swinithwaite on 27-28 June in aid of YDMT.

There’s also a wide range of nature walks to choose from offering the opportunity to see bats flying, salmon jumping or other feats of nature!

If you’d prefer something more artistic, take a look at the art exhibitions, children’s craft sessions, and photography classes on offer.

Gargrave Art & Craft Exhibition

There’s also a chance to spend an afternoon with Amanda Owen – wildflower enthusiast, star of ITV’s The Dales, and Yorkshirewoman of the year – and enjoy one of her famous cream teas at Ravenseat farm!

You can download the full programme of events on our website at www.ydmt.org/Festival2015 or call us on 015242 51002 to request a copy.