A day at Snow Drop Valley

22 comments

Saturday the sun was poking its head round the clouds, so we set off for Snow Drop Valley on Exmoor. We had intended to walk down into the valley, but it soon became apparent the way was too steep and very muddy! The locals had started to run a minibus down into the valley a few years back, as the amount of visitors had become a problem.

We decided to travel on the bus, and arrived at the bottom of the Valley after about 20 minutes. The way down was very steep but the views were beautiful, with rolling green hills on every side of the bus windows. You could see the top of the moor at some points as we travelled down the narrow country lane.

When we came to a halt at the bottom, we could immediately see why the Valley has its name. Thousands of little white bells nodding their heads in the light breeze, in every direction they covered the valley floor.

We followed the footpath which ran along side the river; now and again the sun would peek from behind the trees in the high hills. It was a wondrous sight as the sun kissed the flowers and sparkled in the babbling water.

After spending some quiet moments listening to the river running over the rocks and pebbles; with the sound of the forest birds singing sweetly overhead. We ambled on our way up the steep bank. Once at the top you could look down onto the snow drops and the river as it meandered through the valley.

We followed the higher path until it dipped down back to the valley floor. We had enjoyed our walk in Snow Drop Valley, but now the day was drawing in and it was getting cold. Just as we had decided to go, the sun shone its rays on a few snow drops. We took some close-up photographs before moving on to catch the bus back up the steep hill to the car park.

15 Feb, 2011
16 likes

Comments

Lulu33

What a beautiful Valley and walk, great blog. I stayed on the north Devon coast a couple of years ago (memory awful, will have to check the map!!Famous cottage, made a film there......?) There was a stream and millions of snowdrops.

15 Feb, 2011

Karensusan63

What a wonderful blog and gorgeous pics. I've enjoyed every one of them. Thanks for sharing this Teds. Do you have any info. on how they all got there, how long ago or who the land belongs to? Just interested. It's very beautiful isn't it....so many snowdrops!

15 Feb, 2011

Karensusan63

Nominated this for Snowdrop page of GOYpedia Teds!

15 Feb, 2011

City_smallh..

Great post, I've really enjoyed reading it. You've definitely got a gift for description. The photos are fantastic, those snow drops are so beautiful. I've always thought there's something very special about these delicate flowers. They are discrete and yet the impact they can create is impressive, as your photos demonstrate. They really do look like a blanket of snow, don't they?
It's lovely to see and feel that spring is coming. Our forest looks pretty much the same as yours at the moment, except for the snow drops. We get a sea of bluebells instead, but we've got to wait a bit longer for them to turn the ground purple. When they do, I'll post a few photos to accompany yours.

Diana

15 Feb, 2011

Oliveoil

Fantastic sight.

15 Feb, 2011

Teds

Hi Karen, dug out some information for you hope this helps.

In Medieval times the pure white blooms of snowdrops were a symbol of Candlemas (2nd February), the feast of the purification of the Virgin Mary and represented purity. There is no hard proof that snowdrops are native to Britain. It is thought that they were brought to Britain from southern Europe by Benedictine monks in the 11th century because of their religious symbolism. Some say that the monks from Dunster introduced the snowdrop to the valley in the 13th century.

For years, this remote valley was a secret known only to locals. As visitors increased, so did congestion on the single track sunken road. Exmoor National Park Authority have a park and ride scheme and in 2008 Cutcombe Parish Council took it over, access to the privately owned valley being kindly is granted by Badgworyhy Land Company. For more information here is the web sight address. Teds:)

www.wheddoncross.org.uk/snowdropvalley.htm

15 Feb, 2011

Teds

Hi Lulu, was it Lorna Doone Cottage near Lynmouth, Exmoor.

15 Feb, 2011

Teds

Hi Diana, I will look forward to the Photos of the bluebells. We have a place near us called Blackberry Camp, we have yet to go there. It is supposed to be famous for its bluebells in May, so perhaps Paul and I will take a dandy this year. Teds:)

15 Feb, 2011

Lincslass

Thats a lovely sight, thankyou for sharing your walk with us. Your photo`s are very good especially the closeups....

15 Feb, 2011

Hywel

It must have been a wonderful sight. You've taken some really nice photos. And I'm pleased the sunshone for you before you left.

15 Feb, 2011

Lulu33

Just looked it up Teds, it was Hartland Point!

15 Feb, 2011

Teds

Hartland Point, yes it is very beautiful lots of lovely walks on the coast. The coast line in north Devon is more ragged than east Devon. I love it when the scenery is dramatic, hope to get down that why for a walk again this year.

15 Feb, 2011

Dawnsaunt

What a sight, beautiful x

15 Feb, 2011

Joanella

lovely pics Ted & close ups are great..:o)

15 Feb, 2011

Bjs

Brilliant Blog loved it.

16 Feb, 2011

David

Beautiful pics and a great read, Teds. Always look forward to the snowdrops and the Scottish Snowdrop festival, with the large selection of guided walks similar to this. :-))

16 Feb, 2011

Whistonlass

The snowdrops almost looked like a blanket of snow...they are beautiful photos, Teds. Thanks for sharing your walk with us.

16 Feb, 2011

Teds

Glad you enjoyed it David, love your themed garden what a great idea to get the children interested at a young age. :)

16 Feb, 2011

Teds

your welcome Whistonlass!

16 Feb, 2011

Valadel

Cracking photo's and blog.

17 Feb, 2011

Lauram

What a sight all those snowdrops are....and they are even more beautiful growing amongst those ferns. We don't have snowdrops here, but after seeing so many photos on GoY, I'm inspired to start my own snowdrop paradise! I even named one of our shelter cats Snowdrop.

19 Feb, 2011