One of the most glorious sights on an overcast spring day will be a golden host of daffodils, capable of brightening up even the gloomiest of days

In early spring, towards the end of March and into April, head to the few remaining woods and meadows where hosts of wild daffodils will grow in wild profusion. More delicate and understated than their brash cultivated cousins, these wild flowers are the forgotten champions of a woodland in spring.

They will also be known as the Lent lily, as they often bloom during the Lent period.

Our native wild daffodil is scattered across the west of England and in Wales - several Wildlife Trusts care for nature reserves where they grow.

How to do it

For this one, you should go it alone. Pick a sunny day and spend some time like Wordsworth, 'in pensive mood' amongst the 'jocund company' of the flowers. Enjoy your 'bliss of solitude' and 'dance with the daffodils' - go on, seize the moment!

If you are unable to visit and of the locations listed below...Yellow is the colour of early spring. You may not have wild daffodils growing near you but look out for other yellow flowers glowing on the woodland floor: lesser celandine, coltsfoot, primrose and cowslips will all flower in March, and are a vital source of nectar for early bumblebees.

Special spots

Dunsford nature reserve in Devon is one of the best spots to see daffodils in South West England. Coach-loads of people would come up to the reserve to pick daffodils, and the site became so popular that signs had to be put up asking people not to pick them. Dunsford remains a great place to see wild daffodils today.

Carmarthenshire, Llandefaelog Wood 

Cumbria, Howe Ridding Wood

Denbighshire, Coed Cilygroeslwyd 

Derbyshire, Derwentside 

Glamorgan, Coed y Bwl 

Gloucestershire, Vell Mill Meadow, Betty Daw’s Wood, Ketford Banks and Gwen and Vera’s Fields 

Herefordshire, Lea and Pagets Wood 

Herefordshire, Crow Wood & Meadow

Hertfordshire, Stocking Springs Wood 

Staffordshire, George’s Hayes 

Warwickshire, Harvest Hill 

Wiltshire, Oysters Coppice

Text and information courtesy of The Wildlife Trusts / image courtesy of Rob Oakley