Daffodil fields at Parsons Reserve in Dartmouth, Mass. (Photo by Roanne Robbins)
There’s something magical about being surrounded by flowers in springtime. Viewing mass plantings of bulbs has to be one of my favorite spring rites of passage. Over the years I’ve found some great places to view naturalized bulb plantings, and I’ll travel quite far to take in these lovely displays. My car routes from April to June are carefully calculated and must contain as many of the following prerequisites as possible: Are there flowers in bloom? Are there opportunities for a proper cup of coffee, good pastry, and a hearty breakfast? Are we within a 15-mile radius of farm animal viewing (very important when driving with kids)?
One of my favorite bulb-viewing adventures is to view daffodils in a lovely wooded field in Dartmouth, Mass. The Parsons Reserve field is owned and preserved by the Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust (DNRT) and it is a win-win car trip from Harvard. Flowers, coffee, animals, breakfast, and an extra bonus—-the ocean.
Families will enjoy a lovely trek along the wooded trails to the daffodil fields. It’s an hour-and-a-half drive, 89 miles from Harvard, so you may wish to make a day of it. Visit one of the local village eateries, visit the animals at nearby Alderbrook Farm, or picnic beside the ocean. Flower hunting for daffodils has never been more fun.
Here’s what you need to know:
Directions
Plug this address into your GPS: 1228 Russells Mills Road, Dartmouth. The address is for Davols Store, which is 1/4 mile north of the Russells Mills Landing parking lot. Park at the lot, cross the street, and walk to your right along the road until you see a metal gate between two posts. Follow the path to the left of the gate and up the hill. At the top of the hill you’ll see a DNRT sign welcoming you to the preserve. From that point, follow the yellow squares tacked to the trees; they’ll lead you to the daffodils.
Details
All non-member visitors are asked for a $2 donation.
Keep track of the daffodils’ blooming progress on the DNRT Facebook page or visit their website: www.dnrt.org
Fun fact
The Dartmouth daffodils were smuggled here during WWII.
Eateries
Bayside Restaurant, 1253 Horseneck Road, Westport, 5.5 miles from the daffodil fields and minutes from the ocean. Amazing view of Mass Audubon’s Allen’s Pond Sanctuary. Great Portuguese bread French toast or better yet, pie for breakfast. Be sure when you pull out of the driveway after your meal you turn right for a great ocean view and Horseneck Beach.
The Barn, 15 Main Street, Adamsville, R.I., 8.5 miles from the daffodils. Be prepared for a wait during peak breakfast hours. Quaint and sweet; your waitress may or may not carry your orange juice on her head. Try the “Eggs on the Bayou” or the blueberry waffles with lemon curd.
The Provender, 3883 Main Road, Tiverton, R.I., in historical Tiverton Four Corners, 12 miles from the daffodil fields. Muffins, scones, and amazing cookies. Planning to picnic? Check out their sandwiches!
Animal Viewing
Alderbrook Farm, 1213 Russells Mills Road, South Dartmouth, 1/4 mile from the daffodils. Great farm store and very friendly animals. Say hi to Little Buddie, our family’s favorite rooster.
Coffee
If you’re looking for a nice frothy latte or some locally roasted beans to take home, give these places a try:
Gray’s Daily Grind, 638 Adamsville Road, Westport, and Coastal Roasters, 1791 Main Road, Tiverton, 8.5 miles and 15 miles, respectively, from the daffodil fields.
Roanne Robbins is a professional gardener and a former Harvard resident now living in Kittery, Me.
