Snowdrops are a sure sign that spring is on its way. The delicate drooping heads of these small white flowers are a charming sight on a winter's day and in February, gardens up and down the country open to celebrate their arrival with snowdrop walks and events. Pull on your hat, grab your gloves and showerproof jacket and feast your eyes on some of Mother Nature’s finest displays. You will hopefully also be able to enjoy other winter-flowering plants, such as cyclamen, aconites, hellebores and more.
As displays of snowdrops and other spring flowers are weather dependent, please double check all opening days and times before travelling.
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Where to see snowdrops near me
East Lambrook Manor, Somerset
If you're after cultural plant heritage and snowdrops, then East Lambrook Manor is one of your best bets. The garden was established by garden writer Margery Fish and is beautiful throughout the year, but has a remarkable number of snowdrops - around 140 named varieties. Although the manor was put up for sale recently, it's still open this year for snowdrop walks for garden and plant aficionados. Read more about Margery Fish and East Lambrook.
Festival of snowdrops Wednesday 28th January to Wednesday 1st March, Wednesday to Sunday, 10am - 5pm 2026 East Lambrook Manor Gardens, Silver Street, East Lambrook, South Petherton,
Somerset TA13 5HH, United Kingdom www.eastlambrook.com
Anglesey Abbey, Cambridgeshire
If it’s variety of snowdrops you want, this is the perfect place to visit. There are around 400 snowdrop cultivars, some of which are specific to Anglesey Abbey. Wander around or join a Specialist Collection tour around the 114 acres to make sure you don’t miss out on any snowdrop treasures (booking is essential and places sell out fast).
Snowdrop tours Sunday to Friday from 26th January to 27th February 2026.
Quy Road, Lode, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB25 9EJ. Tel 01223 810080; nationaltrust.org.uk/angleseyabbey
Bank Hall, Bretherton, Lancashire
Experience the beauty of snowdrops in full bloom at Bank Hall. Wander through the gardens and learn about the history of these remarkable little flowers on Snowdrop Open Days. Sundays will also see snowdrops for sale.
Every Sunday and Wednesday in February, 12-4pm.
Bank Hall, Liverpool Road, Bretherton, PR26 9BG; bankhall.org
The Bishop’s Palace, Somerset
Observe a spectacular display of snowdrops in a historic setting. Visitors can collect a printed Snowdrop Walk to guide them around the moat banks carpeted with snowdrops, and across the Willow Bridge to the Arboretum.
Guided walks and talks with the head gardener on selected dates. February 2026.
The Bishop’s Palace, Wells, Somerset, BA5 2PD. Tel 01749 988111; bishopspalace.org.uk
Benington Lordship, Hertfordshire
The snowdrop walk, which runs along the wall at the top of the moat, was planted in the early twentieth century by the present owner’s family. Opening the gardens at snowdrop time became an annual tradition which has continued to the present day. Aside from the huge drifts of naturalised snowdrops that cover the grassy moat and the gardens around the castle and house you can also enjoy hellebores, aconites and winter flowering shrubs in bloom.
Open 7 February to 1 March 2026. No booking required.
Benington Lordship, Nr Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG2 7BS Tel 08701 261709; beningtonlordship.co.uk
Cambo Estate, Fife
Cambo's popular Scottish Snowdrop Festival is now in its 15th year. The gardens hold the National Collection of snowdrops and visitors return annually to enjoy the spectacular display of 200 varieties carpeting the estate, and to buy snowdrops in the green for their own gardens.
The house will also host themed events during the festival.
Every Saturday from 31 January to 7 March 2026.
Cambo Gardens, Kingsbarns, Saint Andrews, Fife KY16 8QD. Tel 01333 451040; cambogardens.org.uk
Chelsea Physic Garden, London
If you’re London-based and keen not to miss out on snowdrops, make a trip to the Chelsea Physic Garden, the capital's oldest botanic garden, to see 75 types of snowdrop and enjoy its 'Awakening Spring' programme.
Step behind the scenes on a tour with the senior gardener on 28 January or 18 February. On the 25 January you can book onto a snowdrop kokedama making workshop, while Monday 26 January heralds a talk from Roy Vickery on snowdrop folklore.
Open throughout January and February, apart from Saturdays.
66 Royal Hospital Road, London SW3 4HS. Tel 020 7352 5646; chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk
Chippenham Park, Cambridgeshire
Chippenham Park is home to one of the finest displays of naturalised snowdrops in East Anglia and the park opens for a few weeks for visitors to view the vast carpets of snowdrops, followed by daffodils. Take time to also enjoy the fiery dogwoods, aconites and winter blossoms.
24 January to 1 April 2026 (snowdrops followed by daffodils)
Chippenham Hall, Chippenham Park, Newmarket, Cambridgeshire CB7 5PT. Tel 01638 721416; chippenhamparkgardens.info
Colesbourne Gardens, Gloucestershire
Colesbourne Park is renowned as one of the best places to see snowdrops in the UK. The great plantsman, Henry John Elwes planted snowdrops widely, and the the garden today contains around 350 cultivars of snowdrops, many of them hybrids, descended from those original plantings. Thousands of new snowdrops are planted every year, ensuring that the collection remains vibrant and up-to-date. This year there is a Snowdrop Study Day on 10 February; group guided tours are also available.
Selected dates from 31 January to 1 March 2026
Colesbourne, nr. Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL53 9NP. Tel 01242 870567; colesbournegardens.org.uk
Deene Park, Northamptonshire
A wide variety of snowdrops will be on view here including favourites such as the ‘Blewbury Tart’ and the ‘Pusey Green Tip’. Enjoy a 'Snowdrop Sunday' and sure you make the most of the lakeside and garden walks too. Enjoy other early flowers such as hellebores and crocus, scented viburnums and winter honeysuckles, too.
15 & 22 February 2026.
Deene Park, Corby, Northamptonshire NN17 3EW. Tel 01780 450278; deenepark.com
Drumlanrig Castle Gardens, Dumfries and Galloway
Enjoy the Castle Gardens before their official opening on 1 March. Thousands of snowdrops are complemented by the spidery, fragrant blooms of witch hazels in vivid shades of yellow, orange, and red.
7 & 8 February 2026.
Thornhill, Dumfries and Galloway DG3 4AQ. Tel 01848 331555; drumlanrigcastle.co.uk
Easton Walled Gardens, Lincolnshire
From late January to March, Easton Walled Gardens are covered in drifts of delicate snowdrops and the garden opens especially to coincide with their appearance. Snowdrops are also available to buy.
Garden opens from 11 February 2026 (open Weds to Sun)
Easton, Grantham, Lincolnshire NG33 5AP. Tel 01476 530063; visiteaston.co.uk
Forde Abbey and Gardens, Somerset
Throughout February the 30 acres of award-winning gardens are carpeted in a spectacular display of snowdrops. Weather depending, the camellias will be in full bloom along with an abundance of hellebores and early spring bulbs. Open for snowdrop weekends throughout the month.
Wednesday to Sunday in February.
Chard, Somerset TA20 4LU. Tel 01460 220231; fordeabbey.co.uk
The Garden House
The Garden House is home to the Matt Bishop snowdrop collection, with over 400 different varieties on display throughout the 10-acre gardens. This year they are hosting a Snowdrop Festival, with four specialist nurseries hosted in the gardens.
Open Fri, Sat, Sun until 13 March 2026.
Buckland Monachorum, Yelverton, PL20 7LQ. Tel 01822 854769; thegardenhouse.org.uk
Great Comp Garden, Kent
Great Comp is usually closed in winter, but opens for just one day for its popular Snowdrop & Plant Fair. Browse a wide selection of rare snowdrops on sale from specialist nurseries and enjoy the snowdrops in the garden.
The event is curated by Joe Sharman, a legendary figure in the snowdrop community - in 2022 he sold Galanthus plicatus ‘Golden Tears’ for a record-busting £1,850 at auction.
15 February 2026.
Great Comp, Comp Lane, Platt, Sevenoaks, TN15 8QS. Tel 01732 885094; greatcompgarden.co.uk
Hedingham Castle, Essex
The castle's winter gardens are possibly the most romantic in the East of England, with at least 13 varieties of snowdrops covering the steep slopes of the motte and bailey and setting off the trees and lakes in front of the Georgian Mansion House. Open for snowdrop walks on selected dates in February and March.
Selected dates from 8 February - 1 March 2026.
Bayley Street, Castle Hedingham, Halstead, Essex, CO9 3DJ. Tel 01787 460261; hedinghamcastle.co.uk
Hever Castle & Gardens, Kent
Neil Miller, head gardener at Hever Castle & Gardens, has a passion for Galanthus and has planted on average 10,000 extra snowdrops every year since 2017, doubling the number from 70,000 seven years ago to 140,000 today. They include some unusual varieties such as the yellow tipped ‘Wendy’s Gold’, the giant ‘Colossus’ (one of the tallest snowdrops you can find) and Galanthus ‘Green Brush’, with unusual green-tipped flowers. You can also enjoy camellia, quince, daphnes, hellebores and early daffodils in bloom.
First Signs of Spring (a self-guided tour) takes the visitor to Hever Castle & Gardens along a wonderful exploratory tour of the Outer Moat, the Winter Gardens and through Sunday Walk and Church Gill.
Garden open daily from 11 February 2026.
Hever Road, Hever, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7NG. Tel 01732 865224; hevercastle.co.uk
National Gardens Scheme, nationwide
175 gardens are set to open between Jauary and March for the National Garden Scheme, so there's sure to be one open near you. Many notable gardens with snowdrop collections are opening, including High Cherubeer in Devon. Key your postcode into the website to find your nearest open garden.
Check website for individual opening times.
ngs.org.uk
Painswick Rococo Gardens, Gloucestershire
Painswick Rococo Garden is famed for one of the largest naturalistic plantings of snowdrops in the country. There are 15 varieties in the garden, the most famous being Galanthus 'Atkinsii'. Pre-booking is essential; the garden recommends bagging an early spot when the gardens are more quiet.
Garden open from 17 January - 1 March 2026.
Painswick, Gloucestershire GL6 6TH. Tel 01452 813204; rococogarden.org.uk
Raveningham Hall, Norfolk
Enjoy around 150 named snowdrop cultivars throughout the delightful garden, as well as many un-named ones throughout the garden. Every Sunday in February will raise funds for the Priscilla Bacon Hospice.
Reopening in February 2026.
Raveningham, Norwich, NR14 6NS. Tel 01508 548152; raveningham.com
Rode Hall and Gardens, Cheshire
Experience one of the UK's finest snowdrop walks at Rode Hall and Gardens, which has over 70 types of snowdrop in the Old Wood, by the Pool and through Sir Richard's Walk. Homemade light lunches and cream teas available; local artists will be exhibiting in the barns.
Thursday to Sunday, 1 February - 1 March, 2026.
Church Lane, Scholar Green, Cheshire ST7 3QP. Tel 01270 873237; rodehall.co.uk
Rodmarton Manor, Gloucestershire
A vast snowdrop collection of 150 varieties is spread across this eight-acre Cotswold garden. Also on display are other winter flowers including hellebores, cyclamen and aconites.
2026 dates, check website for information.
Rodmarton, Cirencester GL7 6PF. Tel 01285 841442; rodmarton-manor.co.uk
Shepton Mallet Snowdrop Festival, Somerset
Shepton Mallet was once home to the famous 18th-century horticulturist James Allen, known as the 'Snowdrop King' and the first hybridiser of snowdrops. Nowadays the town proudly celebrates its famous son with an annual Snowdrop Festival. Its aim is to blanket the town white with snowdrops. Expect specialist plant sales, workshops, art and craft, and poetry and photography competitions.
20 & 21 February 2026
Shepton Mallet, Somerset. sheptonsnowdrops.org.uk
Scottish Snowdrop Festival
This year, as snowdrop season begins, a whole host of venues and gardens throughout Scotland are taking place in the Scottish Snowdrop Festival, which runs from 26 January to 11 March. Cost of entry to the gardens vary - some are free - but there are over 70 events to choose from, including walks at Dawyck Botanic Garden and guided tours at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Many gardens are open under the Scotland's Gardens Scheme, too.
26 Jan to 11 March 2026
Head to discoverscottishgardens.org and scotlandsgardens.org for full details.
Waterperry Garden, Oxfordshire
This renowned Oxfordshire garden is home to more than 60 different snowdrop varieties in the ornamental gardens and along the walk by the River Thame. A selection of varieties will be available to buy and staff will be on hand to offer advice on snowdrop planting.
Open daily, 1st February to 31st March.
Nr Wheatley, Oxfordshire OX33 1JZ. Tel 01844 339254; waterperrygardens.co.uk
Welford Park, Berkshire
Venture down to the heart of the Lambourn Valley to cast your eye over a spectacular seven-acre drift of snowdrops. The views are particularly stunning in the early morning when the sun is low in the sky and the glow from the bloom and the frost mingle. A gentle wander around the Beech Woods takes up to an hour. There are always pots of Galanthus cultivars and "thinings" to buy and on Thursdays there are specialist Plant Markets, featuring specialist snowdrop nurseries.
28 January to 1 March 2026, Wednesday to Sunday.
Newbury, Berkshire RG20 8HU. Tel 01488 608691; welfordpark.co.uk
Wye Valley Sculpture Gardens, Monmouthshire
A three-acre south facing garden nestled in the picturesque lower Wye Valley. The family have been passionately collecting snowdrops since the 1970s, and in February there'll be 70 varieties on display and 28 of those will be for sale. Wooden sculptures by resident artist Gemma Kate Wood are sensitively placed throughout the garden.
Open on selected dates from 23 January 2026.
Tintern NP16 7NX, wyevalleysculpturegarden.co.uk
As displays of snowdrops and other spring flowers are weather dependent, please double check all opening days and times before travelling.
