Where to See Snowdrops

The first snowdrops are already pushing their little heads up through the soil and preparing to turn their lovely faces to the winter sun. Pull on a sweater and step into your wellies and head out to one of these National Trust properties and enjoy stunning bulb meadows, woodland walks and Britain’s largest winter garden to see snowdrops at their best.

Where to See Snowdrops

Anglesey Abbey

Anglesey’s garden has 320 different varieties of snowdrop scattered across 114 acres. Meander along the paths and soak up the fabulous display of delicate white bulbs dotted across the gardens. Join Anglesey Abbey Gardeners on their Snowdrop Tours for the Snowdrop festival, from 26 January to 1 March at 2pm on weekdays. For more information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/anglesey-abbey/

The Argory, County Armargh

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 let off steam in the adventure playground. For more information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/argory/

Attingham Park, Shropshire

Stroll around this beautiful parkland and mansion set in the heart of a great estate between Shrewsbury and the River Severn. Enjoy the swathes of snowdrops which carpet the woodland floor or see them in a different light on an evening walk as the woodlands will be transformed with hundreds of candles and fairy lights making it feel all the more magical. At the end of your stroll treat yourself to a cup of mulled wine and step into the warmth of the Bothy. Don’t forget to wrap up warm and take your torch to light the way. More details here: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/attingham-park/

Chirk Castle, Wrexham

Chase away those winter blues with a bracing walk around the beautiful gardens and woodland at this medieval fortress. Glimpses of the spring bulbs can be found throughout the garden, scattered between clipped yews, herbaceous borders, shrub and rock gardens, and are particularly special in pleasure ground wood – a sure sign that spring is on its way.

While you’re there why not pause in the Woodsman’s Hut and enjoy the fire? On weekends you can get out of the cold and treat yourself to a hot chocolate from the hut as well. Snowdrop walks, 31 January – 1 March, 10am – 4pm For more information visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chirk-castle/

Dunham Massey, Cheshire

The Dunham Massey winter garden is the largest of its kind in Britain. The seven-acre winter garden, designed with the help of Roy Lancaster, OBE, is home to over 700 different plant species and a further 1,600 shrubs which from autumn through to late spring provide plenty of distractions from the cold. Since the garden opened in 2009 over 200,000 double and single bloom snowdrops have been planted which create a shimmering carpet of white amongst the trees from late December to early February. For more information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunham-massey/

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, Yorkshire

See magnificent abbey ruins combined with beautiful landscaped Georgian water gardens and carpets of snowdrops at this breath-taking World Heritage Site, which also boasts its own medieval deer park. Winter family nature walk, 8 February, 2pm – 3pm
Join the team as they show you the first signs of spring peeking through the winter frost on the estate. Look out for snowdrops, berries and fresh buds. You may even catch a glimpse of winter birds feeding. For more information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/fountains-abbey/

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. The gardens are open all year, and February is a special month to see the blankets of white in the Fernery and along Lady’s Walk where visitors can wander through the displays and salute this first welcome sign of spring. Check the website to keep up to date with the latest flowering news and events www.nationaltrust.org.uk/kingston-lacy/.

Wallington, Northumberland

Help plant 100,000 snowdrop bulbs in the garden at Wallington during February half term. The team are creating a new winter trail through the East Wood and need your help. The gardening team will be there to show you the ropes and how to get hands-on with nature.Snowdrop planting week, 14 February – 22 February, 10am – 3pm. More information on the website www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wallington/

We’ll be visiting Lacock Abbey in Wiltshire which always has a fabulous display of snowdrops, as well as Stourhead gardens where the snowdrops cluster around stone benches and spread their carpets out under the trees!