What we do, how to get in touch, the work of the Authority and our rangers, plans and policies, jobs and volunteering opportunities.spacer image
Planning matters, Authority advice and services, Sustainable Development Fund and community consultation. spacer image
Our special qualities, the nature, historic environment and landscape of the National Park, publications, latest news, facts & figures and our education service. spacer image
Enjoying...spacer image

Hay Time Events in July


Residentials

18 to 21 July: Grass Identification

Grasses are often considered to be a ‘difficult’ group of plants to identify, the aim of this introductory course is to get all participants familiar with and confident in the identification of at least the most common species. Led by Sarah Watson-Jones. Organised by FSC Malham Tarn.

Day events

Green hay harvesting event

As part of the Hay Time project, every year Pippa Rayner (YDMT) and a team of contractors harvest and spread green hay to initiate restoration of meadows throughout the Yorkshire Dales. If you are interested in seeing the machinery in operation and finding out more, then register with Pippa at p.rayner@ydmt.org.

Please note that places are very limited and whilst likely to take place in mid-late July, the exact date of the event will be decided at short notice and is subject to weather conditions.

2 July: Flowers of Arkengarthdale - Guided Walk - 2.00pm-5.00pm

Join Charles Helm for a 4 mile walk enjoying the flowers of Arkengarthdale. Meet at Langthwaite car park. Organised by Yoredale Natural History Society.

  • Tel: 01969 623031

2 July: Monitoring the flora at Attermire/Langcliffe Local Nature Reserve

Come and help National Park staff led by Tim Thom in monitoring the flora in this local nature reserve.  You do not need to be an expert, as groups will include experienced and less experienced recorders. Contact Mike Canaway for more details. Organised by Craven Conservation Group.

  • Tel: 01729 823808
  • Cost: Voluntary contributions welcome (suggestion £1)

3 July: Monitoring the flora at Attermire/Langcliffe Local Nature Reserve

Come and help National Park staff led by Tim Thom in monitoring the flora in this local nature reserve.  You do not need to be an expert, as groups will include experienced and less experienced recorders. Contact Mike Canaway for more details. Organised by Craven Conservation Group.

  • Tel: 01729 823808.  
  • Cost: Voluntary contributions welcome (suggestion £1)

4 July: Monitoring the flora at Attermire/Langcliffe Local Nature Reserve

Come and help National Park staff led by Tim Thom in monitoring the flora in this local nature reserve.  You do not need to be an expert, as groups will include experienced and less experienced recorders. Contact Mike Canaway for more details. Organised by Craven Conservation Group.

  • Tel: 01729 823808
  • Cost: Voluntary contributions welcome (suggestion £1)

5 July: Comparison of Grasslands at Greenhow - 10.00am to 1.00pm

Come and join a local ecologist on a guided walk, looking at different grassland types (limestone, acid grasslands and mining spoil heaps) and the contrasting varieties of wildflowers found on them. Booking essential. For more details and booking, contact Nidderdale AONB. Organised by Nidderdale AONB.

8 July: Dent Hay Meadows - Discovery Walk - 2.00pm-4.00pm

An easy 2.5 mile (4km) walk through the riverside hay meadows upstream from Dent discovering the meadow flora. Meet at Dent car park. Organised by YDNPA.

13 July: Bringing in the Drinkins - 10.00am-4.00pm

Taste some examples of traditional food that would have been brought out at harvest time in days gone by. Find out more about a traditional harvest in the Dales. See us at Buckden National Park car park. Organised by YDNPA.

16 July: The Environmental Benefits of Hay Meadows - 6.00pm-8.00pm

Come and join local expert Marion Wilby near Middlesmoor for a walk and talk about the environmental benefits of hay meadows.  Learn more about the biodiversity related to this traditional farming practice.  Booking essential. For more details and booking, contact Nidderdale AONB. Organised by Nidderdale AONB.

24 July: And on that farm he had a barn…and a barn…and a… - 1.00pm-5.00pm

A mostly easy 4 mile (6.5km) walk along the riverside and 'Dales Way' between Kettlewell and Starbotton, looking at the buildings that would have been associated with the original farming practices in the dale. Meet at Buckden National Park car park.  Led by Don McLellan. Organised by YDNPA.

25 July: Storytelling - 2.00pm-3.00pm

Drop in storytelling for all the family. Dales Countryside Museum. Organised by YDNPA.

27 July: Swaledale, Riverside & Fellside - Guided Walk - 11.00am-3.00pm

A 6.5 mile (10.4km) generally easy walk through meadows to Gunnerside returning along part of the Corpse Way. Meet at Feetham church 5 miles west of Reeth on B6270. Organised by YDNPA.

30 July: Teddy Bear's Picnic - 12noon-2.00pm

Bring your teddy bear and a picnic for a couple of hours fun and games, to include a short trail. (Children under 16 must be accompanied). Meet at Grassington National Park Centre. Organised by YDNPA.

30 July: Practical Methods Used to Harvest Hay Meadow Seed - 1.00pm-5.00pm

Observe a practical demonstration of the methods used to harvest seed from hay meadows to assist in the creation of new ones. Led by Nigel Hitchinson, Hedgerow Landscapes. Location in Nidderdale to be announced. Booking essential. For more details and booking, contact Nidderdale AONB. Organised by Nidderdale AONB.

30 July: 'Discover & Do' - 2.00pm-4.00pm

Children's craft activity afternoon. Make a collage and find out more about the flowers in our hay meadows. Only suitable for children over the age of 8. Booking essential. Dales Countryside Museum. Organised by YDNPA.

31 July: Teddy Bear's Picnic - 12noon-2.00pm

Bring your teddy bear and a picnic for a couple of hours fun and games, to include a short trail. (Children under 16 must be accompanied). Meet at Malham National Park Centre. Organised by YDNPA.

Abbreviations:

AONB = Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

FSC = Field Studies Council

YDMT = Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust

YDNPA = Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority

onload="SetDateTimeDropDown()"