Spring is a special time of year at Greets Farm, with the surrounding Howardian Hills awaking from their winter slumber.
From late April into May the appropriately-named Pretty Wood — only a short walk from the campsite — offers the most marvellous display of bluebells. What is that mixing in with their scent? That will be the carpet of wild garlic beneath your feet. Celebrity chef James Martin grew up on the Castle Howard Estate and many of his recipes reflect on this very garlic from nature's larder. Walk maps are available in the potwash area, or download from the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) website.
Here are some other springtime highlights.
Lambing Season on the Farm
Greets Farm is a working farm and spring means lambing. You'll see the ewes and their lambs in the fields around the site during April and early May, and waking up to the sound of lambs in the neighbouring field is one of those experiences that reminds you why you came to the countryside in the first place.
We are dog lovers – we have a Jack Russell family of mother, father and daughter – but for these precious early lambing weeks we ask that if you want to wander over to say hello to the newborns you leave your dog in the caravan or motorhome.
If you're lucky with your timing, you may see very young lambs in the first days after birth — unsteady on their feet, still figuring out the world. It's one of the genuinely lovely things about staying on a working farm.
The Howardian Hills in Spring
The Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is at its most dramatic in spring. The woodland is coming back into leaf, the hedgerows are full of blossom, and the views across the Vale of York on a clear morning are extraordinary. The light in April and May — particularly in the early morning and late evening — is different from any other time of year.
Walking from the site into the hills is straightforward. There are several footpaths accessible directly from Welburn, and the Ebor Way — a long-distance footpath that runs from Helmsley to Ilkley — passes through the Howardian Hills and offers some excellent day-walk options. The terrain is gentle by Yorkshire standards; the hills are rolling, which makes for very pleasant walking without requiring serious fitness or equipment. It’s a well-kept secret that the Howardian Hills are just as beautiful as the nearby North York Moors, but without the crowds.
Castle Howard in Spring
Castle Howard opens for the season in late March, and spring is one of the best times to visit. The Ray Wood — a woodland garden of rare trees and shrubs — is at its peak in April and May, with rhododendrons, magnolias and bluebells creating a display that draws visitors from across the country. The walled garden is also coming back to life after winter, with the herbaceous borders beginning to fill out.
Spring also tends to be quieter than the summer peak, which means shorter queues, easier parking and a more relaxed atmosphere. If you're planning to visit Castle Howard during your stay, April or early May is an excellent time to do it. The estate is three miles from Greets Farm — a ten-minute drive or a pleasant cycle on quiet lanes.
Yorkshire Lavender
Yorkshire Lavender at Terrington, around eight miles from Greets Farm, opens for the season in late spring. The lavender itself is at its best in July, but the gardens and the café are open from May, and the views from the hillside over the Vale of York are worth the trip at any time of year. It's a good half-day out, particularly if you combine it with a walk in the Howardian Hills.
Quieter Pitches, Better Availability
Spring is one of the quieter periods at Greets Farm, which means better availability. We have five pitches, and in summer they're often all occupied. In April and May, you're more likely to have the field largely to yourself — or at most sharing it with one or two other couples.
For solo travellers in particular, spring is an excellent time to visit. The site has a friendly, unhurried atmosphere at this time of year, and a 20% solo traveller discount applies throughout the season — use code SOLO at booking. Sarah and Marcus always make solo travellers feel very welcome, and it’s a great way to enjoy the peace and quiet of the farm.
What to Pack for a Spring Visit
North Yorkshire in spring is beautiful but unpredictable. The weather can be warm and settled in April and May, but it can also be cold, wet and windy. We'd always recommend packing layers and waterproofs regardless of the forecast — the Howardian Hills have their own microclimate and conditions can change quickly.
Wellies or waterproof walking boots are worth bringing — the footpaths around the site can be muddy after rain, and the farm track is stoned but can be wet underfoot in places.
If you'd like to book a spring visit, contact us here or call on 07918 070716. Although we now accept online bookings we still have an old-fashioned diary in the farmhouse kitchen and always enjoy a chat.
Opening Dates
Greets Farm is open from Easter through to the end of October. We occasionally take bookings outside these dates for guests who have stayed with us before and know what to expect from an early or late season visit — get in touch if you'd like to discuss this.
Spring bookings fill up quickly, particularly around the Easter weekend and the May bank holidays. If you're planning a spring visit, we'd recommend getting in touch as early as possible to check availability.
A Note from Sarah and Marcus
We've been running Greets Farm for over 15 years, and spring remains the season that reminds us why we do it. The farm is at its most alive, the hills are at their most beautiful, and the guests who visit in spring tend to be people who appreciate the countryside for its own sake rather than as a backdrop for something else. It's a good time of year, and we're always glad to welcome people to it.
If you'd like to book a spring visit, contact us here or call on 07918 070716. We look forward to hearing from you.