Daffodils of Southwick Manor
“When daffodils begin to peer, With heigh! The doxy over the dale, Why, then comes in the sweet o’ the year; For the red blood reigns in the winter’s pale.”
~ William Shakespeare, From 'The Winter’s Tale'
Arthur Mee writes in his book on Northamptonshire: ‘We feel here the thrill of the poet’s line, “A row of windswept poplars against an English sky.” For half a mile they line the road from Glapthorn, tall and stately trees whispering like a rippling stream at every breath of wind. Southwick Hall remains one of the most interesting small houses in the country in spite of transformations in every century from the 14th century till now. Delightfully gabled, with attractive chimneys soaring above the roofs, it has charming exterior, and preserves a medieval chapel in which is a piscina 400 years old.’
Southwick Hall is nestled in the medieval hunting grounds of Rockingham Forest. Every March, the parkland surrounding the house is transformed into a carpet of sunny swaying daffodils. Southwick's 'sea of daffodils' is always a feature: planted between the wars, they survived the ploughing for potatoes during WWII and continue to proliferate.
These images are a small attempt to capture the dazzling display.
“Is the spring coming?“ he said. “What is it like?”… “It is the sun shining on the rain and the rain falling on the sunshine…”
~ From 'The Secret Garden’ by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Fields of Gold: England’s Daffodil Scene
Throughout March and April, swathes of daffodils fill the English countryside. Every local market and food shop sells bundles for a quid. Throughout the village not only will these happy flowers adorn the verge and garden beds but also displayed in window sills. Nothing says winter is out and spring is arriving like the first daffodils.
Here are a few articles where you can learn a brief history of British daffodils , discover the best places to see daffodils in the UK , amble along Britain’s best daffodil walks and find out where prettiest daffodil fields in the UK are located. Finally, learn about wild daffodils that proliferate the native English landscape.
Below is a gallery of images taken throughout Northamptonshire.
