Looking for a winter walk with a difference? Grab your wellies, wrap up warm and discover the first signs that spring is on its way – snowdrops!

Transforming woodland and garden floors from late January to early March, snaffle a closer look at the pearl-like blooms while you can with our pick of the best National Trust snowdrop walks.

Perfect for a floral ramble, snowdrops are a cheerful sight on these woodland walks, riverside rambles and garden strolls.

1 Newark Park, Gloucestershire

Newark Park © National Trust Images

Where: Wotton-under-Edge GL12 7PZ
When: February 11 - March 8 2020, 10am – 4pm
Details: Come and see an impressive carpet of snowdrops in the historic grounds of Newark Park’s romantic woodland gardens and admire breathtaking views over the Cotswold escarpment. Get your wellies on and bring the whole family over half term too – try the new family house trail or one of the beautiful estate walks. Top it off with lovely coffee and a cake in front of the roaring fire in the Tudor sitting room. Dogs on leads are welcome in the garden and on the estate.
Explore National Trust Snowdrop walks at Newark Park.
Need a place to stay? Cotswold Manor House is 20 minutes’ drive.

2 Ickworth, Suffolk

Ickworth Park © National Trust Images/Justin Minns Photography

Where: Horringer, near Bury St Edmunds IP29 5QE (Sat Nav: Please don’t use this postcode for your Sat Nav, the main entrance to the Ickworth Estate is via Horringer Village on the A143 and follow the brown signs)
When: Gardens & parkland open daily, 10.30am – 5pm
Details: Winter has its own special magic at Ickworth with family-friendly walks across the park and woodland. A sea of snowdrops can be found in virtually every corner of the Ickworth estate and can best be experienced through Lady Geraldine’s walk as well as The Albana walk, where snowdrops are complemented by the golden glow of aconites. If the weather’s biting, warm up and enjoy a relaxing family feast in the café. Your children can enjoy a variety of half term spring craft activities and games too. Or head outside and let them enjoy the play and den building areas or become a nature detective with one of the family explorer packs.
Explore National Trust Snowdrop walks at Ickworth.
Need a place to stay? Vicarage House / Vicarage House & Pool House are 40 minutes’ drive from Ickworth.

3 Sunnycroft, Shropshire

Sunnycroft © National Trust Images/Julie Moore

Where: Telford TF1 2DR
When: Winter weekends: February 1 – March 8, 10.30am – 4pm
Details: Shake off the winter blues and discover 27 different snowdrop varieties at Sunnycroft on one of their winter weekends. Pick up a free trail leaflet and take a refreshing stroll around the garden discovering each variety and its history in turn. Every year a different variety is planted to add to the collection. Reward yourself afterwards by putting your feet up in front of the fire in the tea room.
Explore National Trust Snowdrop walks at Sunnycroft.
Need a place to stay? Our Shropshire holiday cottages are half an hour’s drive from Sunnycroft.

4 Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Kent

Sissinghurst Moat by Smudge9000

Where: near Cranbrook TN17 2AB
When: Open daily, 10am – 4pm.
Details: Sissinghurst is a stunning place to explore at any time of year and winter is no exception. The team here are always busy bulking up new varieties of snowdrops in the nursery to add to the many varieties already admired along the banks of the moat. There’s family fun to be had around the estate with explorer packs, quizzes and trails available for your little ones. You can also bring your canine companion along on a lead and enjoy the estate walks together. If you’re feeling hungry after your walk, stop off at The Old Dairy restaurant and warm up by the cosy wood burner.
Explore National Trust Snowdrop walks at Sissinghurst Castle Garden.
Need a place to stay? Manor Farmhouse is a 20 minute drive away.

5 Attingham Park, Shropshire

Attingham Park by Kilgarron

Where: Atcham SY4 4TP
When: February 1 – March 8 2020, 8am – 6pm
Details: Discover the swathes of snowdrops that carpet the woodland floor and stroll around the parkland spotting winter wildlife. Pick up one of the family trails which have everything you need for an adventure ready to go!
Explore National Trust Snowdrop walks at Attingham Park.
Need a place to stay? The Oaks is 20 minutes’ drive.

6 Acorn Bank, Cumbria

Crowdundle Beck by David Hambridge

Where: Temple Sowerby, CA10 1SP
When: Open from February 15 2020, 10am – 5pm
Details: This tranquil spot is the ideal place for an invigorating walk on a crisp day. A network of paths lead through swathes of snowdrops that carpet the wild garden and the woodland walks beside Crowdundle Beck. Features of the walk include a lovely pond, the restored watermill and the remains of 19th and early 20th century gypsum mining. Something to muse over as you relax afterwards with a treat in the tea room. Dogs on leads are welcome on the woodland walks.
Explore National Trust Snowdrop walks at Acorn Bank.
Need a place to stay? Our Cumbrian holiday cottages are less than half an hour’s drive.

7 Oxburgh Hall, Norfolk

Oxburgh Hall by Karen Roe

Where: Oxborough, near Swaffham PE33 9PS
When: February 1 – March 8 2020, 10.30am – 4pm; guided walks at weekends 11.30-12 & 2-3pm
Details: Embark on a guided or self-guided woodland trail with the family and take in the stunning carpets of snowdrops, aconites and other spring flowers. Dogs are welcome throughout the gardens and woodland, though they must kept on a short lead because there is plenty of wildlife at Oxburgh, such as birds and small deer.
Explore National Trust Snowdrop walks at Oxburgh Hall.
Need a place to stay? Vicarage House / Vicarage House & Pool House are 30 minutes’ drive.

8 Dudmaston Estate, Shropshire

 
Where: Quatt, near Bridgnorth WV15 6QN
When: February 15 – 16 & 22 – 23 2020, 11am – 4pm
Details: Enjoy the great outdoors at Dudmaston Estate which opens during the half term weekends for snowdrop walks. Grab one of their ’50 things’ trails and tick off some wintry items on a walk through the Dingle Woods. Maybe play ‘Pooh Sticks’ from the bridge or fly a kite out in the parkland. Then head to the tea room for a warming bowl of freshly made soup or a scrumptious slice of cake.
Explore National Trust Snowdrop walks at Dudmaston.
Need a place to stay? The Gatehouse and The Coach House are 17 minutes’ drive.

9 Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire

Where: Lacock, Chippenham SN15 2LG
When: February 15 - March 5 2020, 10.30am - 5.30pm
Details: Lacock is full of beautiful walks throughout the year but, in February and early March, the combination of swathes of snowdrops and aconites together with the crisp late winter air make them extra special. There are various paths within the grounds to make the most of your time and historic Lacock Abbey, its medieval cloisters and rooms make for an interesting visit. Take time to wander around the great museum that traces the history of photography, the village, its shops and tearooms. Don’t forget YOUR camera!
Explore National Trust Snowdrop walks at Lacock Abbey, Fox Talbot Museum and Village.
Need a place to stay? Cotswold Manor House, Stable Cottage and our Cotswold lakeside holiday cottages are 30- 40 minutes’ drive.

10 Bateman’s, East Sussex

Bateman’s © National Trust Images

Where: Burwash TN19 7DS
When: Gardens & Estate open daily 10am – 4pm
Details: The garden and the 300 acres of beautiful countryside that surround Bateman’s are the hidden gems of this Jacobean house which was the home of English writer Rudyard Kipling. See the wonderful display of snowdrops in the Wild Garden and take time to relax with something delicious in the Mulberry tea room. The garden is a fun place for children too, with a regular nature and garden trails. 
Explore National Trust Snowdrop walks at Bateman’s.
Need a place to stay? Beechcroft holiday cottages and 1 School House Cottages are 20 minutes’ and 30 minutes’ drive respectively.

What else?

Newark Park © National Trust Images

For more information on National Trust Snowdrop walks visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lists/top-spots-for-snowdrops. Remember that snowdrops rely on local weather conditions, so please do check the National Trust websites for opening dates, times and admission prices (free to National Trust members and under 5s).