Snowdrop Spotting

South West

Kingston Lacy, Dorset
Snowdrops: 1-29 February, 10am-4pm
Snowdrop openings have long been a tradition at Kingston lacy. Keep an eye out for the estate’s herd of red ruby Devon cattle and explore the Japanese Tea garden.
uMore details 01202-883402, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/kingston-lacy
Make a weekend of it: 524 Pamphill Green Cottage is a delightful cottage tucked away on the estate.

Newark Park, Gloucestershire
Snowdrops: 13-15, 17-22, 24-29 February, 11am-4pm
Snowdrop drifts throughout the garden mingle with aconites and cyclamen to give an impressive show, providing dazzling photo opportunities. Afterwards, warm up with a hot drink and slice of cake in front of the fire in the Tudor sitting room.
More details 01453-842644, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/newark-park

Saltram, Devon
Snowdrops: 4-31 January, 10am-4pm Standing high above the river Plym with magnificent views across the estuary, Saltram’s 500 acres of rolling parkland and woodland provide the perfect setting for a stunning snowdrop display.
More details 01752-333500, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/saltram

London and the South East

Mottisfont, Hampshire
Snowdrops: January-February, 10am-5pm
Snowdrops thrive along the banks of the Font stream, where the warming effects of the water create its own microclimate, teasing them into bloom a week or two before their companions in colder corners of the garden.
More details 01794-340757, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mottisfont

Nymans, West Sussex
Snowdrops: January-February, 10am-4pm
This 20th-century garden is famed for its collection of rare plants. At the start of spring you can spot wonderful displays of snowdrops as well as camellias and magnolias underplanted with a host of daffodils and grape hyacinths. by Valentine’s Day, the snowdrop drifts offer cool contrasts to the fiery oranges of witch hazel and the rich red stems of dogwoods.
More details 01444-405250, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nymans
Make a weekend of it: Woodlands Cottage, surrounded by beautiful lakes and woodland walks, is a great way to discover Nymans.

Stowe, Buckinghamshire
Snowdrops: 11 January-28 February, 10am-4pm
The beginning of the year is ‘Stowedrop’ time, as the delicate blooms develop into white drifts in the Elysian Fields, Sleeping Wood and Lamport Garden. Take a walk amongst the snowdrops in this magical landscape of myths, lakes and temples.
More details 01280-817156, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stowe

East of England
Anglesey Abbey, Gardens And Lode Mill, Cambridgeshire
Snowdrop Season: 25 January- 28 February, 10am-4.30pm
Anglesey’s garden has more than 300 diff erent varieties of snowdrop scattered across 114 acres. But snowdrops won’t be all that you see – the Winter Garden is also packed with many vibrant colours, textures and the heady scent of winter-flowering shrubs. More details 01223-810 080, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/anglesey-abbey      

Oxburgh Hall, Norfolk
Snowdrop Walks, 30 January- 16 March, 11.30am and 2pm
Oxburgh is a moated manor house surrounded by 70 acres of gardens and woodlands. Join the team for a guided walk, or wander around the woodlands and take in the stunning carpets of snowdrops, aconites and many other spring flowers. More details 01366-328258, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/oxburgh-hall 

Midlands

Attingham Park, Shropshire
Snowdrops: January-February, 8am-5pm
Watch the woodland floor transform into a stunning carpet of snowdrops. Take a stroll around this grand estate and discover more than 200 years of history – keep an eye out for deer.
More details 01743-708123, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/attingham-park

Baddesley Clinton, Warwickshire
Snowdrops: January-February, 9am-4pm Baddesley
Clinton’s intimate gardens feel like a winter wonderland during the colder months. In January and February the snowdrops will be out in full bloom, both in the gardens and around the chapel. Enjoy a gentle stroll around the gardens and lake, and discover some of the estate’s late medieval and Tudor history.
More details 01564-783294, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/baddesley-clinton

North West

Dunham Massey, Cheshire
Snowdrops: January-February, 11am-4pm Britain’s largest winter garden at Dunham Massey contains almost 700 diff erent plant species and a further 1,600 shrubs specifi cally bred for the seven-acre wonder. In January more than 100,000 double and single snowdrops, as well as 20,000 narcissi, begin to bloom.
More details 0161-9411025, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunham-massey 

Yorkshire and the North East

Fountains Abbey And Studley Royal, Yorkshire
Snowdrops: January-February, 10am-5pm Early spring is the perfect time to explore the Abbey ruins and amble through the beautiful Georgian water garden, surrounded by 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 banks of the River Skell.
More details 01765- 608888, www.nationaltrust.orgs.uk/fountains-abbey
Make a weekend of it: There are 11 holiday homes on site to choose from, including Yorkshire-stone cottages and converted barns.

Wales

Chirk Castle, Wrexham
Snowdrops: 30 January-29 February, 10am-4pm Snowdrops can be found throughout the garden, scattered between clipped yews, shrub and rock gardens, as well as along the woodland floor.
More details 01691- 777701, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chirk-castle