Roll out the white carpet, it’s snowdrop time with the National Trust!
For that first glimpse of spring, the places cared for by the National Trust have beautiful displays of snowdrops across the country. The delicate white flowers transform woodlands floors in early spring and are the first signs of life after the winter months.
Matthew Oates, Nature and Wildlife expert for the National Trust, said “In the garden, the pinnacles of snowdrop leaves provide the very first sign of spring. The flowers themselves arrive later in pure white glory and, on mild, late winter days, are beloved by honey bees. They are best seen in half-light and, of course, amidst the winter snow.”
From stunning bulb meadows to the UK’s largest winter garden, here are the special National Trust places to enjoy a family day out surrounded by snowdrops:
Anglesey Abbey, Gardens and Lode Mill, Cambridgeshire
Anglesey’s garden has 240 different varieties of snowdrop scattered across 114 acres. Meander through the paths and soak up the fabulous show that the garden offers during this time. But snowdrops will not be all that you see: the winter garden shows coloured tree barks, winter flowering shrubs, ground cover plants and even the first signs of daffodils.
Special snowdrop tours, weekdays from 3 February – 9 March, 2pm
Join a special weekday tour at 2pm to uncover Anglesey Abbe’s fascinating snowdrop story and gain expert advice from the gardening team.
Booking is advisable on 01223 810080.
General admission charges apply, free tour.
Booking advisable, please call 01223 810080.
The Argory, Co. Armagh
This spectacular riverside estate has a stunning display of snowdrops and other beautiful spring bulbs throughout February. Snowdrop self-guided walks run every Saturday and Sunday in the month, where the scenic walk shows off the garden as the frost thaws, with stunning backdrop of sweeping vistas. There are also delicate snowdrop plants available to buy in the shop and children can enjoy the adventure playground.
Snowdrop walks, 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23 February 12pm-5pm
After a self-guided walk through the blankets of wonderful snowdrops that cover the estate, enjoy a warm refreshment in the courtyard coffee shop.
Normal admission charges apply. Booking is not required
For more information, please call 028 8778 4753
Attingham Park, Shropshire
Watch the woodland floor transform into a stunning carpet of snowdrops during Attingham’s snowdrop season. Stroll around this great estate near Shrewsbury, look out for deer and see sprinkles of the delicate swowdrops in beautiful parkland, designed to impress.
Snowdrop evening walk, 21-23 February, 5.30pm – 8pm
Walk up to the bothy along the mile walk and follow the candles and fairy lights through the woods to experience the park and snowdrops in a different light. At the end, step into the warmth of the Bothy and enjoy a cup of mulled wine.
Booking is not required for this event.
Park and grounds admission charges apply.
For more information please call 01743 708123.
Belton House, Lincolnshire
With delightful gardens, a luxuriantly planted orangery and lakeside walks, Belton is a pleasure to explore all year round and never more so as the early signs of spring creep in. Don’t miss the delicate displays of snowdrops that melt away all your thoughts of winter.
Normal admission charges apply.
For more information please call 01476 566116
Chirk Castle, Wrexham
Chase away those winter blues with a bracing walk around the beautiful gardens and woodland at Chirk. Glimpses of the spring bulbs can be found throughout the garden, scattered between clipped yews, herbaceous borders, shrub and rock gardens, as well as drifting along the woodland floor.
Snowdrop days, 1-28 February, 10am-4pm
See the pleasure ground wood carpeted with delicate snowdrops, a sure sign that spring is on its way. Explore the medieval tower and dungeon and then warm up with homemade soup or a delicious slice of cake in the tea-room.
Normal admission charges apply.
Booking is not required for this event.
For more information, please call 01691 777701.
Dunham Massey, Cheshire
Thousands of snowdrops will bloom in Britain’s largest winter garden at Dunham Massey. The garden contains almost 700 different plant species and a further 1,600 shrubs specifically bred for the seven-acre wonder. January heralds the first signs of spring, where clusters of over 100,000 double and single snowdrops and 20,000 narcissi bloom amongst the trees.
Garden admission charges apply.
For more information, please call 0161 941 1025.
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, Yorkshire
Set in 323 hectares of beautiful countryside, this World Heritage Site offers an unparalleled opportunity to appreciate Britain’s heritage and natural beauty. Early spring is the perfect time to explore the picturesque abbey ruins and amble through the beautiful landscaped Georgian water garden, surrounded by white carpets of snowdrops. This is a stunning sight that dates back to the 19th-century, when Earl de Grey planted snowdrops to spell out his name along the backs of the river Skell.
Normal admission charges apply.
For more information please call 01765 608888.
Make a weekend of it: Turn a visit to this magnificent site into a long weekend in a unique cottage. With eleven holiday cottages on offer, including apartments in the luxurious Fountains Hall and five cottages converted from a group of 18th-Century farm buildings, there’s something for everyone.
Ickworth, Suffolk
Throughout Ickworth Park, along the oak walk and the trim trail, snowdrops are complemented by the golden glow of aconites. Geraldine’s and Erskine’s walks are woken from their winter sleep by Galanthus‘s arnott, a relatively large snowdrop with a strong honey scent providing a feast for the eyes and nose. Discover amazing views of the estate or warm up in the west wing restaurant with delicious food and drink (Friday to Tuesday).
Garden admission charges apply.
For more information please call 01284 735270.
Make a weekend of it: Stay at the heart of the estate in one of Ickworth’s four cottages: there’s the quirky round house set in an enchanting woodland glade, two redbrick Victorian cottages in the parkland and the former head gardener’s cottage with its own walled garden.
Kingston Lacy, Dorset
Kingston Lacy welcomes a dazzling blanket of snowdrops each year. The garden wakes up to spring in January and February when thousands of bulbs burst through the soil, transforming the garden into a sea of white. Special snowdrop openings are a tradition at Kingston Lacy so visitors can wander through the displays and salute this first welcome sign of spring.
Park and garden admission charges apply.
For more information please call 01202 883402.
Make a weekend of it: With pink walls and a thatched roof, 524 Pamphill Green Cottage is a delightful semi-detached cottage tucked away in a quiet part of the Kingston Lacy estate.
Mottisfont, Hampshire
Snowdrops thrive along the banks of the Font stream, where the warmer water creates its own microclimate, teasing them into bloom a week or two before their companions in colder corners of the garden. Elsewhere, the open acres of the river garden are magically transformed by drifts of purest white.
Snowdrop walks, 15-16 and 22-23 February 10.30-11.30am, 12.30-1.30pm and 2-3pm.
Take a walk through the grounds with Mottisfont’s knowledgeable guides and witness the beauty of the wild snowdrops that carpet the woodland, heralding that spring is finally on its way.
Normal admission charges apply.
Booking is not required for this event.
For more information, please call 07769301992.
Newark Park, Gloucestershire
At Newark Park there are snowdrop drifts throughout the garden and they mingle with aconites and cyclamen to give a very impressive show. There are six varieties and Newark is a haven for Gloucestershire galanthophiles.
Snowdrop week, 15-16 & 19-23 February, 11am-4pm
During half term week, why not have fun as a family at Newark Park, following the snowdrop trail around the estate. Get the children to have a closer look at the flowers and take a photo to create a special snowdrop memory.
Normal admission charges apply. Booking is not required for this event.
For more information, please call 01793 817666.
Nymans, West Sussex
This 20th-century garden is famed for its amazing collection of rare and important plants. At the start of spring, spot wonderful displays of snowdrops as well as camellias and magnolias underplanted with a host of daffodils and grape hyacinths. The bulb meadow in the walled garden is full of snowdrops and early narcissus and there are rare hellebores all around the garden.
By Valentine’s Day, over 150 different types of plant are flowering at Nymans and our snowdrop drifts offer cool contrasts to fiery witch hazel oranges and the rich red stems of our dogwoods.
Garden admission charges apply.
For more information please call 01444 405250.
Make a weekend of it: For people who love being close to nature, a stay at Woodlands Cottage is a great way to discover Nymans. The perfect retreat, the pretty cottage is surrounded by beautiful lakes and woodland walks.
To plan a family day out with the National Trust visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk
To book a holiday cottage visit: www.nationaltrustcottages.co.