Celebrate the prelude to spring and discover where to see the snowdrops in South East England

31st January 2024

You may not necessarily think about heading out and about to visit one of the South East’s many gardens, parklands or woodlands in January and February. It’s often a time when the trees are bare, the leaves have all fallen and the icy grip of winter has put everything to sleep. However, from January until early March, the delicate white snowdrop graces our gardens and open spaces, like jewels brightening up the gloomiest of days, reminding us that spring is on its way. The snowdrop is the prelude to spring, creating carpets of white that light up any winter walk and remind us that life is returning - it is thought that there are around 2500 different varieties of snowdrops around the world.

These tough little flowers are often among the first flowers, peeking their delicate heads up above the frozen soil.  Snowdrops have adapted to pierce through snow and have a special ‘anti-freeze’ protein that helps keep them from freezing and makes them more likely to be able to survive the cold. Each snowdrop bulb produces narrow greyish-green leaves with small teardrop white flowers, that droops its dainty heads towards the ground. Often found in clumps, they bring early colour to gardens and open spaces and give us a fantastic reason to wrap up warm and venture out.

Did you know, several gardens throughout South East England operate special ‘winter open weekends’, allowing us to enjoy these winter beauties in all their splendour.  There are also many woodlands, parklands and free open spaces to head out in search of first signs of spring.

Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens 
Snowdrop Strolls - January/February 2024

Head to Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens, West Sussex, so see over 20,000 snowdrops around the lake. The Grade 1 listed gardens cover 240 acres and consist of lakes, woodland areas, and the famous Rock Garden. Enjoy a visit and see how the beautiful white flowers blanket areas of the gardens, as well as the chance to enjoy the host of wildlife that call the gardens home, including foxes, rabbits, green woodpeckers, herons and their famous wallabies. Leonardslee also has an extensive deer park which is home to over 100 free-roaming deer; with varieties: Sika and Fallow.

Kearsney Abbey and Russell Gardens, Dover, White Cliffs Country 
Snowdrops in the Park - February 2024

Kearsney Abbey is located just 2.5 miles from Dover and is a delight to visit at any time of the year, alongside Russell Gardens (on the opposite side of the road). Once part of grand country house estates, these are now both beautiful open spaces for everyone to enjoy. Kearsney Abbey with its informal parkland around two ornamental lakes offers the best opportunity to enjoy the dainty snowdrop shooting up around the historic trees and along the riverbanks of the River Dour which flows through the parkland. Look out for sections of walls, arches, gate piers, and bridges on your wanders, which are still visible today from the original estate. Pop into the café for a warming drink and peek into the manor house billiards room - the decorative ceiling, wooden panels and stained glass are well-worth seeing.

Waterperry Gardens, Oxfordshire 
Snowdrop Season, 1st Feb - 28th Feb 2024

The beautiful 8-acre Waterperry Gardens, just 7.5 miles from Oxford, has been inspiring visitors for years. Made famous by Beatrix Havergal when she established her 'School of Horticulture for Ladies' in 1932, the garden retains its educational history at its core.  Home to more than 60 different snowdrop varieties, they carpet the ornamental gardens and provide a spectacular show down by our walk along the River Thame.  You can also pick up a selection of varieties from their garden shop, the knowledgeable staff will help answer questions about the planning and growing of native species. 

Hever Castle, Kent
Snowdrop Walk from 7th February 2024 onwards

Hever Castle in Kent offers the chance to discover around 140,000 Snowdrops that have been planted in the Gardens over the past few years.  A self-guided snowdrop walk is available from the 7th February 2024 until the end of February. Look out for a mix of single and double-headed snowdrops interspersed with unusual varieties such as Wendy’s Gold, Colossus and Galanthus Green Brush in the Winter Garden. Head to the banks of the Outer Moat, along the lakeside walk or Anne Boleyn’s Walk, with its impressive collection of trees planted more than 100 years ago.  Don't worry if the weather is cold, you can pick up a warming drink at the Moat Cafe along the way. 

Gilbert White’s House, Shelborne, Hampshire 
Snowdrop Celebration Weekend - 10th - 11th & 14th February 2024

Located 30 minutes from Winchester is the village of Selborne, Hampshire, where you will find Gilbert White’s House and Gardens. Gilbert White was aged 7 or 8 when the White family moved from the Vicarage on Selborne’s Plestor, to this house.  At that time the property would have been no more than a ‘two up, two down’ but over the subsequent years, lots of extensions and additions have been made, creating the sizeable house you see today. Gilbert White’s House and Gardens celebrate his lifelong investigation of the natural world and every year they open their doors for an annual snowdrop celebration. This one weekend offers visitors the chance to enjoy half-price admission to the house and gardens all weekend. Keep an eye out for a variety of snowdrops known as the 'Selborne Green Tip'.  It was discovered in Selborne by Henry John Elwes who was an English naturalist, traveller, and horticulturalist, and can today be found within Gilbert White’s Garden.  

Eythrope Parkland Tour & Visit to Waddesdon Manor Gardens, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
Private Tour 14th - 16th February / 21st - 23rd February 2024

In February, take an exclusive tour of the private gardens of Eythrope. For a truly inspirational winter walk, winter flowering shrubs, spring bulbs, and best of all, the seasonal snowdrops create a distinctive white blanket across the grounds. The gardens were laid out for Sir William Stanhope in the mid-18th century, so much of what you see predates Alice de Rothschild’s ownership. Visits to this private parkland and woodland garden run for around an hour and are led by Waddesdon's garden experts, Eythrope’s gardens have an extensive collection of snowdrops with over 70 different types. After your tour, you indulge in a delicious two-course lunch in the Manor Restaurant, before having time to explore Waddesdon's Manor's grounds and gardens, Buckinghamshire.  

Here you will find swathes of brilliant white snowdrops along the top of 'Daffodil Valley', where thousands of early flowering daffodils are also beginning to burst into bloom at this time of year, or as you wander along the secluded woodland of Baron’s Walk and enjoy the ever-growing clusters of snowdrops amongst the trees. There are plenty of places within Waddesdon's Manor Gardens to enjoy this delicate flower.  Take a look and discover ten fun facts about snowdrops from the Garden Manager before you visit.

Highdown Gardens, Worthing
Snow Drop Tour - 14th - 15th February 2024

Highdown Gardens is located in Worthing, West Sussex at the gateway to the South Downs National Park and is a chalk garden, grown initially as an experience to see what would grow on chalk. It was created by Sir Frederick and Lady Sybil Stern whose gardening obsession began back in 1909, sending plant hunters to collect plants from around the world and bring them back to Highdown Gardens. Now deemed a National Collection, the gardens are managed by Worthing Borough Council and are free to visit. However, on the 14th and 15th February, Highdown’s Curator, Alex New, and snowdrop enthusiast Simon Hollingworth are sharing their passion through a series of bespoke tours (£8 per ticket) exploring the garden's extensive snowdrop collection, alongside hints and tips about caring for these beautiful flowers.

Petworth House and Gardens, Petworth, West Sussex
1st - 29th February 2024

For the first glimpse of spring visit Petworth House and Park and see swathes of snowdrops that carpet the Pleasure Gardens - a welcome sign of warmer days to come.  Petworth House, West Sussex has over 700 acres to explore. Download the 1-mile Capability Brown Pleasure Grounds walk which includes views of the Ionic Rotunda, views of Black Down the highest point in Sussex at 280m in the distance and the Doric Temple along the way.  Petworth House is managed by National Trust, the house, gardens, deer park and café are open seven days a week.  It is free to visit for National Trust members, tickets are required for other non-members.

Wakehurst, Haywards Heath, West Sussex
1st - 29th February 2024

January 2024 marks the fifth anniversary of the Winter Garden at Wakehurst, a space that has become a seasonal highlight in Sussex. Located on the west side of Wakehurst’s Elizabethan Mansion, the garden draws inspiration from a range of wild winter landscapes – from Himalayan rhododendron glades and the Siberian tundra to the heathland in nearby Ashdown Forest and the spectacular south Downs. Home to over 33,000 plants with swathes of beautiful snowdrops and purple cyclamen making a colorful carpet alongside the twisting garden path.

Cliveden, Taplow, Maidenhead
1st - 29th February 2024

Located on the outskirts of Maidenhead and close to Windsor, Cliveden is set high above the Thames with far-reaching views. Cliveden’s impressive grade 1 listed gardens and majestic woodlands capture the grandeur of a bygone age.  Encompassing some 376 acres, some of the best spots to look out for snowdrops include The Long Garden, Blenheim Pavilion and The Water Garden. Owned and managed by the National Trust, the gardens are open from 9.30am until 16pm daily. It is free to visit for National Trust members and children under 5 years, a garden ticket is required for all over visitors. 

Today snowdrops have been given a threatened conservation status due to a dramatic decrease in numbers, please remember so take care when visiting any of the gardens or open areas outlined above. We hope you have fun exploring South East England’s beautiful gardens, woodlands and parklands this winter.  Don’t forget to share you pictures with us and use the hashtag #lovesoutheastengland to show how much you enjoyed your visit.  Planning to visit in spring/summer then head to our garden page for more information.