There’s nothing more uplifting than the sight of carpets of soft white snowdrops. Gardens across the country are opening their gates to the public to show off their collections. Whether you just want to get outside in the fresh air, or you are a real galanthophile, start planning to visit a snowdrop garden near you and have a great day out, you won’t regret it.
Easton Walled Gardens
Easton, Grantham, Lincolnshire NG33 5AP
For its 2023 snowdrop spectacular, the gardens open on Wednesday 15th February onwards, Wednesday to Sunday, 11am-4pm. Drifts of snowdrops adorn the gardens from late January into March depending on the weather. From small alpine garden displays to huge snowdrop drifts on the snowdrop bank as well as other spring delights to see and seasonal plants for sale. See more at the Easton Walled Garden website.
National Garden Scheme’s 2023 Snowdrop Festival
Find a snowdrop garden near you from the 110 local gardens opening their gates for charity in 2023, for the National Garden Scheme Snowdrop Festival. It’s a great way to get out into nature and admire these harbingers of spring. The Festival runs from 1st February to the 28th, but there are some gardens open earlier and even a couple open on Valentine’s Day.
East Lambrook Manor Gardens
South Petherton, Somerset TA13 5HH
These privately owned gardens were once the home of the late, great Margery Fish. The gardens open in February, Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-5pm for the snowdrops. Please double check the website here for the up-to-date opening times.
There are around 150 different varieties of snowdrops planted in clumps around the woodland and ditch garden and they truly are a delight. There’s a fabulous display in a raised bed where you can get below the plants and see the flowers close up. Plus, there are plenty of other late winter and early spring flowers to see too. You can also buy some fabulous snowdrop varieties in the nursery. Visit the East Lambrook Manor Gardens website for more information.
Waterperry Gardens
Nr Wheatley, Oxfordshire OX33 1JZ
Waterperry Gardens has over 60 different varieties of these winter beauties growing in borders and lawns across the site. Snowdrop Season runs from 1st February to the 28th, 10am-5pm. The riverside walk is alive with aconites and snowdrops, and is the perfect place to spot wildlife if you are lucky. There are snowdrops for sale and you can get some expert advice from the knowledgable staff. Check out the Waterperry Gardens website for more information.
Shaftesbury Snowdrop Festival
Shaftesbury, Dorset
More than a garden to visit, this is a whole festival for snowdrops based around Shaftesbury. There are snowdrops to see from late January into March, in and around the town, where there are a number of snowdrop walks designed to be wheelchair and pushchair friendly. It’s all part of the unique project to create Britain’s very first Snowdrop Town and offers a series of free and accessible snowdrop walks in open public spaces and along the pathways through the town. The team has planted over 180,000 snowdrops and will keep planting, so that the display is bigger and better year on year. There’s a lot to see and do and most of it is free. There’s an art exhibition featuring snowdrops in the Art Gallery from 10th-25th February 2023, a snowdrop map to follow around the town and a lantern procession which is expected to be on 18th February, but check before making any plans. For more information visit the Shaftesbury Snowdrops website.
