Baydale Farm in Darlington launches PYO wildflower field

Located on Coniscliffe Road, Baydale Farm has transformed its fields into a wildflower wonderland, inviting visitors to wander through golden sunflowers, bask in the sunshine, and handpick their perfect bloom.

Launching on Saturday, August 2, the event has already become a seasonal favourite.

Baydale Farm Pick your Own Flower patch (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) Patch farmer and organiser, Simon Walton, 31, said: “We’ve been doing pumpkins for four years, and people were coming down saying it’s such a lovely place so close to town, so we looked at doing some other things.

“We decided to grow some sunflowers and wildflowers at the end of May this year, so now they’re in full bloom. It’s now our second weekend opening, and it seems to be really popular.

“It’s been really successful. A lot of the people who came for pumpkins are returning for flowers. It’s nice for people to get out and enjoy the countryside. I’m trying to build on the back of the pumpkin patch and be open more than just in October.

“A lot of people ask about the pumpkins, and we’ve had quite a few people that didn’t know we even grew pumpkins, so we’re hoping those customers will come back given that they’re saying they’re having a really good time.”

Simon also hinted that a maze was in the works later in the summer.

Baydale Farm Pick your Own Flower patch (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) Baydale Farm Pick your Own Flower patch (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) Baydale Farm Pick your Own Flower patch (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) Baydale Farm Pick your Own Flower patch (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) Baydale Farm Pick your Own Flower patch (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) Baydale Farm Pick your Own Flower patch (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) Opening dates for the flower patch are announced on Baydale Farm’s Facebook page weekly.

For just £5 per person, customers can pick a small bunch of wildflowers or a sunflower stem.

No booking is required, just turn up. Although the venue requests that people don’t bring their dogs along.

Food and drink are also available at the venue’s coffee shop, cake stand, and bar.