Galanthophiles can now get their flower fix whilst enjoying a late winter break at our holiday cottages with these top snowdrop spots!
These petite plants transform woodland floors and gardens all over the country, signalling the start of spring and the warmer weather to come.
So if, like us, you’re looking forward to catching sight of your first snowdrops of the year, read on...
Cerney House Gardens, Cotswolds
Above: The Moorings; below: Scout on the Water, © Cerney House Gardens
Where: The Garden House, North Cerney GL7 7BX
When: Open all year round. Snowdrops are usually best from end January 2024
Details: This ‘secret garden’ is proud to be listed as a Cotswold top snowdrop spot. Masses of snowdrops, expected to smother the gardens from the end of January, throughout February and March. Situated in the heart of the Cotswolds, Cerney Gardens is open 7 days a week for visitors to enjoy the drifts of snowdrops in the gardens and a looped trail through the snowdrop woods back to the mansion house. There is no need to book, it is dog friendly, plus the tea room is always stocked with cakes, tea, coffee and snacks for all.
Find out more: www.cerneygardens.com
Make a weekend of it: Our Cotswold lakeside holiday cottages are less than 20 minutes’ drive.
East Lambrook Manor, Somerset
Above: Orchard Cottage, © East Lambrook Manor Gardens; below: Atherstone Farmhouse
Where: East Lambrook Manor Gardens, South Petherton TA13 5HH
When: The gardens reopen for the 2024 season on Thursday 1st February 2024, then Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm, until the end of February (Festival of Snowdrops), and Tuesday to Saturday thereafter. National Garden Scheme (NGS) Snowdrop open day on Thursday 15th February 2024.
Details: Margery Fish, the legendary plantswoman who created the garden at East Lambrook Manor was a galanthophile; she especially loved double snowdrops. Not surprisingly, this top snowdrop spot is filled with masses of snowdrops as well as other winter beauties. The festival will also feature steel snowdrop sculptures by Chris Kampf and tours of the snowdrops, with around 90 varieties for sale in the nursery.
Find out more: www.eastlambrook.com
Make a weekend of it: These beautiful gardens are 10 minutes from our four beautifully renovated Grade II Dillington Estate holiday cottages, sleeping 4-16.
Hedingham Castle, Essex
Above and below: Wakes Colne Lodges; below: Hedingham Castle, cc-by-sa/2.0 © Derek Voller - geograph.org.uk/p/3079561
Where: Castle Hedingham, Halstead CO9 3DJ
When: Reopens early February and March on selected dates for snowdrop walks - details TBC once they have a better idea of when the snowdrops will appear.
Details: The castle's winter gardens are possibly one of the most romantic top snowdrop spots in the East of England. At least 13 varieties of snowdrops cover the steep slopes of the motte and bailey, setting off the trees and lakes in front of the Georgian Mansion House. A really special place to see.
Find out more: www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk
Make a weekend of it: Our five luxury Wakes Colne holiday lodges are 20 minutes’ drive.
Batsford Arboretum, Cotswolds
Above and below: Bruern Cottages; below: © Batsford Arboretum
Where: Batsford, Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 9QB
When: Open daily, 9.30am - 5pm (Sun 10am - 5pm), last entry 3pm
Details: Enjoy the great outdoors with a wander through drifts of snowdrops – plus aconites, crocuses and hellebores. Follow up with lunch or afternoon tea in the Garden Terrace Café and a spot of retail therapy in the gift and garden shops. Batsford Arboretum has beautiful colours throughout the year; a top snowdrop spot in winter, followed by daffodils and then marvellous displays from the cherries and magnolias in spring.
Find out more: www.batsarb.co.uk/
Make a weekend of it: Our cottages near Chipping Norton make an amazing winter retreat. Located 12 miles from Batsford.
Attingham Park, Shropshire
Above: The Oaks; below: Attingham Park by Kilgarron
Where: Atcham SY4 4TP
When: Open daily from 8am, last entry is 4.30pm and the site closes at 5.00pm
Details: Springing up across the park, the snowdrops at Attingham begin to appear in January. Discover the swathes of snowdrops that carpet the woodland floor and stroll around this top snowdrop spot with its winter wildlife to boot. Pick up one of the family trails from Visitor Reception which have everything you need for an adventure ready to go!
Find out more: Explore National Trust Snowdrop walks at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/attingham-park
Make a weekend of it: The Oaks is 20 minutes’ drive.
Acorn Bank, Cumbria
Above and below: Waternook; below: Crowdundle Beck by David Hambridge
Where: Temple Sowerby, CA10 1SP
When: Weekends from 3rd February 2024, 11am - 3pm. Garden fully opens weekdays from Monday 11th March 2024.
Details: This tranquil top snowdrop 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.
Find out more: Explore National Trust top snowdrop spots at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/acorn-bank
Make a weekend of it: Our 5 star Cumbria holiday properties sleeping 2-24, are half an hour’s drive.
Walsingham Abbey, Norfolk
Above: The Coach House; below: Walsingham Abbey snowdrops © Richard Humphrey (cc-by-sa/2.0)
Where: Walsingham Abbey, Walsingham NR22 6BP
When: Plans to reopen on Wednesday 24th January 2024 for the beginning of the snowdrop season (until Sunday 3rd March), 10am - 4pm.
Details: Head to Walsingham Abbey for an evocative snowdrop walk around the ruins that stand among the lawns, with woodland and river walks extending to 18 acres. This perfect top snowdrop spot is tucked away with carpets and carpets of snow drops mingled with glorious hellebores and aconites.
Find out more: www.walsinghamabbey.com/snowdrops
Make a weekend of it: Our beautiful Norfolk holiday cottages are all within an easy drive.
Painswick Rococo Garden, Cotswolds
Above: Painswick Rococo Garden by Amanda Slater; below: Scout on the Water, The Moorings
Where: Painswick GL6 6TH
When: Snowdrop season 20th January - 28th February 2024: open daily 10am - 5pm.
Details: Uncurl from your winter hibernation and experience the first signs of spring at Painswick Rococo Garden. It has one of the largest naturalistic plantings of snowdrops in the country and is said to be the spiritual home of the honey-scented, nodding Galanthus Atkinsii, making this one of our top snowdrop spots!
Find out more: www.rococogarden.org.uk/
Make a weekend of it: Just 30 minutes’ drive from our Cotswold lakeside holiday cottages, Cotswold Manor House and Cotswold Spa House.
The Bishop’s Palace, Somerset
Above: Snowdrops at The Bishop's Palace, SummerHouse; below: Old Stables
Where: The Bishop’s Palace, Wells BA5 2PD
When: “Snowdrop Celebrations” return to Wells in February 2024.
Details: Observe a spectacular display of several varieties of snowdrops in a historic setting. Visitors can collect a printed Snowdrop Walk to guide them around the moat banks carpeted with snowdrops, and across the Willow Bridge to the Arboretum. This top snowdrop spot also has a children’s trail each weekend with the reward of a small prize upon completion.
Find out more: bishopspalace.org.uk
Make a weekend of it: Just 30 minutes’ drive from our North Somerset holiday cottages.
Rodmarton Manor, Cotswolds
Above: Cotswold Manor House; below: Rodmarton snowdrops, Cotswold Spa House
Where: Cirencester GL7 6PF
When: The garden only is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays for the snowdrop season. February 7th, 10th, 14th, 17th, 21st & 24th 2024, from 1.30 - 4.30pm.
Details: Rodmarton, made in the true spirit of the Arts and Crafts movement, is the grand-daddy of under-appreciated gardens in England. Shake off the winter blues and discover at least 150 varieties of snowdrops here; some big, some small, and many with rare and colourful markings. Open to the public on the above selected dates in February, you’ll be one happy galanthus seeker at this top snowdrop spot!
Find out more: www.rodmarton-manor.co.uk
Make a weekend of it: Our Cotswold lakeside holiday cottages, Cotswold Manor House and Cotswold Spa House are 20 minutes’ drive.
Colesbourne Park, Cotswolds
Above: Colesbourne Park by Roger Nichol, Lapwing Lake Lodge; below: The Moorings
Where: Colesbourne, near Cheltenham GL53 9NP
When: The 2024 Snowdrop Season begins with the first open weekend on 27th/28th January 2024. Weather permitting, every weekend until the last weekend on 24th/25th February.
Details: Open every weekend for 5 weeks from January 27th, when the carpets of snowdrops are at their most impressive, Colesbourne Park is cited as England’s top snowdrop spot by Country Life. The park is home to 350 varieties of the glistening white flowers, throughout the ten acre garden with its woodland and lakeside paths, Spring Garden and Formal Garden. The surrounding park, arboretum and nearby church also offer wonderful walking opportunities. Dogs on a short lead are welcome.
Find out more: www.colesbournegardens.org.uk/
Make a weekend of it: Our Cotswold lakeside holiday cottages are 20 minutes’ drive.
Open Gardens
Above & below: Wood View; below: Algars Mill & Manor © Vieve Forward (cc-by-sa/2.0) Iron Acton
When: 1st - 28th February 2024
Details: The National Garden Scheme‘s Snowdrop Festival will see 100 snowdrop gardens opening especially for the NGS during February 2024. Visit their website for more information and to plan your own perfect floral ramble in one of the UK’s top snowdrop spots.
Find out more: ngs.org.uk/
Published on Sunday 7th January 2024 by Linnie Clements
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