‘Use common sense’ when viewing Sid Valley daffodils

Daffodils on Peak Hill (Image: Archant)

Visitors hoping for a glimpse of early spring daffodils on Peak Hill are urged to exercise common sense in muddy and treacherous conditions.

Frequent rainfall has turned much of the route to the popular cliff-top spot into a quagmire and concern has been expressed that the slippery ground presents a danger.

The blanket of blooms on Peak Hill were planted as part of a community project led by the Sid Vale Association (SVA) to fulfil a wealthy banker’s dying wish and create ‘A Valley of a Million Bulbs’.

The story of how philanthropist Keith Owen bequeathed £2.3million to the town - and made this one specific request – made national and global headlines and the sight now attracts hoards of visitors each year.

Photographer Eve Mathews said she is worried about the conditions for walkers.

She said: “I was up at the top of the Peak Hill slope to get some pictures of the early daffodils - but it was treacherously muddy and boggy underfoot. It has rained a fair amount since, so I really felt that visitors going to see the flowers should have some sort of alternative route or warning, as it is difficult to tell how bad it is till it is too late.

“Although it is very early for the flowers to be out, the ‘flower-loving visitors’ might not have come yet and it is a pity that walking there is so difficult and possibly dangerous.”

A spokeswomen for East Devon District Council (EDDC), which manages the site, said: “At this time of year, especially with the wet weather we have been experiencing, the grass areas around the daffodils will be wet, muddy and probably slippery – it is, after all, a field. We would therefore encourage people to think about the conditions underfoot and to use common sense before attempting to walk on the grass, when it is obviously muddy and wet.”