Strolling along frosty pathways framed by snowdrops is one of the great pleasures of visiting National Trust gardens during the winter months.
From the first glimpse of dainty white blooms emerging from the ground to magnificent drifts that carpet the landscape, snowdrops brighten the winter months and signal that spring days are on the horizon. Despite the cold, snowdrops can be found thriving in pastures, woods, gardens and orchards across the UK in January and February.
But how much do you know about these dainty little flowers? There are more than 2,500 varieties of snowdrop and its Greek name ‘Galanthus’, translates as the ‘milk flower’. They’re also incredibly clever, as they contain a natural antifreeze. When temperatures reach 10ᵒC and above, the outer petals open-up revealing the nectar inside. When the temperature drops, the petals close. This is perfect for bumblebees, which come out of hibernation when the temperature rises above 10ᵒC and rely on these early flowers as a vital nectar source.
Here are some of the best spots to enjoy a snowdrop walk in the East of England…
Oxburgh Estate, Norfolk
Snowdrop Guided Tours, Gardener led: Weekends in February and early March
Late winter and early spring at Oxburgh Estate is a natural wonder. Thousands of snowdrops and winter aconites put on a memorable display each year in the Wilderness, My Lady’s Wood and on the North Terrace. The plants are allowed to self-seed, creating a beautiful, natural scene.
The Wilderness was created in deliberate contrast to the more formal gardens and showcases a beautiful carpet of snowdrops, followed by aconites and finally bluebells across the woodland floor. Scented shrubs, evergreen planting, and mature lime trees surround the space and create a romantic illusion of an untamed landscape.
Take a stroll through the gardens and enjoy the views at your own pace, or why not join a member of Oxburgh’s garden team on a guided Snowdrop tour.
Snowdrop tours are a great way to learn all about these delicate white flowers. Spot the different varieties as you explore Oxburgh’s grounds carpeted in a majestic white.
Anglesey Abbey, Cambridgeshire
Anglesey Abbey has one of the finest snowdrop collections in the country and is home to over 500 varieties of these delicate white flowers.
From late January and throughout February at Anglesey Abbey, you can see thousands of snowdrops and winter aconites along the woodland paths, Jubilee Avenue and in among the daffodils and hellebores in the Winter Garden.
Look out for the Galanthus nivalis ‘Anglesey Abbey’ which is a snowdrop that was discovered at and named after Anglesey Abbey. Its green v-shape mark on the tips of the inner petals is what gives this single snowdrop its recognisable features and it often flowers around the middle of January.
Visitors can also join a Specialist Collection snowdrop tour – a chance to see some of the snowdrops that are not usually visible to the public and hear about the intriguing stories behind how there came to be such a vast collection at Anglesey Abbey.
Tours will run at 11am and 1.30pm from 27 January to 28 February, every day of the week apart from on Saturdays. Suggested donation £5. Normal admission applies.
Wimpole Estate, Cambridgeshire
Enjoy a quiet winter walk around Wimpole’s Estate and look out for the signs of the season as you take in the fresh country air. Spot the glistening delicate white of snowdrops and warm yellow blooms of aconites under the trees while you wander through the pleasure grounds with a hand-warming hot drink. If you’re lucky, sometimes our famous daffodils can’t wait for spring and begin their dazzling display in the colder months.
Normal admission applies.
Peckover House & Garden, Cambridgeshire
Throughout February and into early March, Peckover House will once again be throwing open their garden gates for visitors to enjoy their beautiful snowdrop display. Come along, take in the sights and smells of the garden in winter and enjoy a sneak peek at the first signs of the changing season ahead.
Open at weekends from 1 February. Normal admission applies.
Ickworth Estate, Suffolk
Take a crisp winter walk through Ickworth to discover the first emerging signs of spring. At this time of year, the sun is low and the shadows stretch long over the parkland, with hints of greenery peeking up from the forest floor. The best areas to spot early snowdrops at Ickworth Estate are throughout the Albana woodland and weaving amongst the shrubs in Geraldine’s Walk.
From late January you will be able to spot two main varieties along our trails: Galanthus nivalis, which is the most common of the snowdrops, growing to around 7 – 15cm tall; and Galanthus elwesii, slightly larger at 20 – 25cm tall and appearing a little later in the season.
The pretty white flowers are complemented by the golden glow of aconites scattered throughout, and there are a number of trails you can take to spot these delicate blooms.
This February, they are hosting a number of special snowdrop walks, so you can learn more about these popular winter flowers. Pre-booking will be available on the website and is advised. Normal admission applies.
Snowdrop walks: 17 – 23 February, £7
Children’s snowdrop story walks: 20, 21 February, £3
