With the mild winter that we have had, snowdrops are already emerging in considerable numbers. Now is a great time to plan to visit some of the wonderful snowdrop collections that can be found in the Cotswolds.
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Painswick Rococo Garden
These gardens, a masterpiece of 18th Century landscape design are set in a hidden Cotswold Valley and as well as being home to a fantastic display of snowdrops boast magnificent views of the surrounding countryside. The gardens re-open for January on Sunday 10th and are already reporting that they have some snowdrops in bloom, although the majority of their plants have a good few weeks to go. Visit www.rococogarden.org.uk for progress updates.
Photo Credit: Alicearmy via Tripadvisor -
Batsford Arboretum
Award winning Batsford Arboretum is not only home to the country’s largest private collection of trees and shrubs, it also has a fantastic display of snowdrops. In 2015 Batsford estimated that their snowdrops should be at their absolute peak of floral gorgeousness between February 21st and March 14th – it’s likely to be earlier this year! Keep an eye out at www.batsarb.co.uk for up to date information.
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Cerney House Gardens
Cerney House gardens is something of a ‘best kept secret’ in the Cotswolds where in the middle of winter, visitors are wowed by a carpet of snowdrops. The gardens are set around a Victorian walled garden and belong to Lady Angus and her family. In the words of Country Living, they have acheived ‘what most people aspire to in their gardens – and few achieve’. Take some time out to be wowed by these delightful gardens! Visit www.cerneygardens.com for more information and to check opening times (the gardens reopen at the end of January)
Photo credit: Kay Ransom -
Colesbourne Park
The snowdrop collection at Colesbourne Park in the beautiful Churn Valley in the heart of the Cotswolds was started nearly 150 years ago. The garden now boasts 250 different snowdrop cultivars and has been called ‘England’s Greatest Snowdrop Garden’ by Country Life. Visitors can enjoy the snowdrops throughout the ten acre garden with its woodland and lakeside paths, the Spring Garden and Formal Garden, alongside drifts of cyclamen, hellebores and other winter plants. The Gardens are open for 5 weekends from 30th January 2016. Gates are open between 1pm and 4:30pm. Visit www.colesbournegardens.org.uk for more information.
