There is nothing more welcome than the first spotting of snowdrops. To me, it gives hope that the frosty mornings will end soon and spring is just round the corner. We are so lucky in Oxfordshire to have some seriously spectacular snowdrop walks and so I thought I will make YET another list for you all, including some less known places! I have not been to many of these places but the photos and reviews look amazing, which is why they have made it to the list.
Snowdrops like anything else are weather dependent. Make sure you check the individual websites for opening dates and times before starting off your journey.
Now this spectacle we have witnessed for ourselves! it is acclaimed to be one of the best spots in the UK and I must say it was amazing. The video below is a proof. You can find details in our post HERE
This is a lesser known but a very beautiful hotspot for snowdrops. St. Botolph’s church Swyncombe is 1000 year old which looks beautiful with the snowdrops springing around it in February and early March. There are snowdrop teas on weekends in February (4&5, 11&12, 18&19) and Choral EVENSONG on 12th February at 4.30pm. You can do a longer walk across Swyncombe Estate to discover the distinguished history of Ewelme, visit its watercress beds, and take in the exhilarating views over Oxfordshire from an old hill fort on Swyncombe Downs.
Braziers Park near Wallingford opens for “snowdrop teas” for just one weekend in February (11,12 Feb- 10 am – 3 pm) so you can visit Braziers Park and explore the grounds. Cakes and tea are served in the house and there will be some activities for adults and children included. Well-behaved dogs are welcome on leads.
Another place which is on my radar, but I just have not made it here yet. The gardens will open on 8, 12, 15, 19, 22, 26 February 2023. There’s also a snowdrop and plant fair on 26th February 2023.
We have not been to see the snowdrops but I absolutely love this place and you can read why HERE in my Review. With over 80 varieties of magnificent snowdrops planted in swathes throughout this beautiful 60-acre woodland haven, it’s sure to be the perfect place to visit. Among them are Galanthus ‘Evenley Double’, a special snowdrop which was developed and propagated on site, and other notable varieties such as ‘Hill Poe’ and ‘Lady Beatrix Stanley’. Spot them as you follow our many paths and rides, weave your way through the tall trees, and take a stroll along the bank of our peaceful stream.
There are more than 60 different snowdrop varieties carpeting the ornamental gardens and a spectacular show down by the walk along the River Thame. The gardens really are lovely and you can read the review HERE
The National Garden Scheme Snowdrop Festival has quite a few unknown gardens in Oxfordshire which will open on certain days for snowdrop teas. You can search via the website. St Edmund Hall college is having an open day on 11th February. Apart from the graveyard around the church thick with snowdrops, you can also sight the college’s historic front quad (‘the most exquisite of the small Oxford quadrangles’ according to Jan Morris) with its double lawn, clambering wisteria, and medieval well.
Snowdrops have grown in Thenford’s woodlands and church yard for decades, carpeting the ground with a wash of white flowers each February. Lord and Lady Heseltine were encouraged by Henry and Carolyn Elwes of Colesbourne Park to broaden their collection of snowdrops in the Nineties. They currently grow over 600 different species and cultivars and have been opening the garden for the snowdrop days each in February since 2016. Open days on 8,11, 18 and 21 February > please book on website
Basildon Park has to be one of our most favourite National Trust properties ever!!! The place is big, the walks are gorgeous and it has very unique play areas. A map of the estate will be available to take a picture of when you arrive, and the walks around the estate are signposted.They will also be running “finding art in nature trail” over half term
There is plenty to do here anyway. I have not been for the snowdrops but the gardens are stunning in any season but especially when the daffodils are in full bloom in the Daffodil valley. I hear the valley is full of snowdrops at this time of the year, so must be equally spectacular. The play area is pretty cool and is currently undergoing refurbishment. The Grounds will re-open Wed-Sun, 11-19 Feb for half-term, then from 11 Mar onwards.
Badbury Hill is better known for its bluebells but there are snowdrops here too. Although it is “national trust”, entry is free, so anyone can visit. It is a small site so I would not recommend making the long journey unless you live close by or you combine it with Faringdon Folly or the Faringdon cycle park to make a full day out of it.
Cliveden is a great place to visit for the whole family and also has a lovely storybook inspired play park. There is a walk around the estate to take you past all the top snowdrop viewing spots. Download the snowdrops at Cliveden guide for the best places to spot snowdrops on the estate.
Welford park makes it to the TOP list every time. It has a collection of rare galanthus cultivars in the formal garden, heavenly white blooms covering woodlands, river banks and lime tree avenues. Carpets of aconites, which are the first thing to bloom in January, heralding spring is on its way, shortly followed by the drifts of snowdrops. They are open Wednesday- Sunday- 1st February to 5th March, closed Mondays & Tuesdays. Please check on website before going
are opening the snowdrop garden at weekends from Saturday 28th January 2023 until Sunday 26th February 2023. The gardens comprise approximately 10 acres of formal snowdrop walks around the house and lake, with further parkland and an arboretum around the house to explore further afield.
Cotswold Farm is an historic Arts & Crafts house situated 5 miles north of Cirencester with extensive views towards the Marlborough Downs. Enclosed by Cotswold stone walls and yew hedges, the garden has an established snowdrop collection, begun in the 1930’s and further developed by Ruth Birchall in the 1980’s and 90’s. The garden is open to the public on selected days in February for snowdrops (Mondays 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th 11am-3pm, Sat 18th & Sun 19th February 11am-3pm) for NGS.
Have you visited any of the above? What is your favourite place
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