This March brings a delightful treat for daffodil lovers in the Ledbury area, and transport links are easier than ever.

Buses4Us, with support from Kempley Parish Council and Rail & Bus for Herefordshire, is providing a complimentary shuttle bus from Newent to the 'Daffodil Villages' of Kempley and Oxenhall.

Historically 'Daffodil Line' trains would carry a valuable annual harvest of wild daffodils from Newent through Four Oaks and Dymock, ending up in flower markets of Birmingham and London via the mainline stations in Ledbury and Gloucester.

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Now, as most prefer to see wildflowers blossoming in the countryside, visitors congregate in the Golden Triangle — the north-western area of the country around Newent, to witness this ode to spring every March.

Raising their socio-cultural importance, the rich daffodil culture of the 1970s, when villagers began welcoming visitors into churches and village halls for 'Daffodil Teas', has evolved into today's Daffodil Weekends.

The weekend will also include refreshments, guided daffodil walks, displays, stalls and children's activities.

Those without access to a car or with a preference for sustainable travel previously have not had a public transport option, until now.

Clare Stone, chair of Buses4Us CIC, shared: "The 232 Daffodil Line bus serves Dymock (7 days a week, year round) and we always know that Daffodil season would be a highlight of our year.

"But the narrow lanes around Kempley and Oxenhall just won't take a full sized bus."

Still, overcoming the local geographical limitations had been a dialogue with Kempley Parish Council since 2022, with this year being the first to have minibuses from Newent operating across the weekend of March 16-17 to Kempley, and March 23-24 to Oxenhall and Betty Dawes Wood.

The minibuses will link with the 32 and 232 bus services at Newent, allowing people travelling from Gloucester, Ross-on-Wye and Ledbury to 'leave the car at home'.

Martin Brocklehurst of the Parish Council said: "This is a trial service and if it is well-used we would hope to expand it next year."

For complete scheduling details, visit daffodilline.co.uk/daffs24.