Transforming woodland floors and gardens across Gloucestershire, the sight of snowdrops is touted as the first sign of spring — with hundreds of snowdrop-seekers wrapping up warm to see blankets of the white winter flowers every season.
Sometimes flowering from as early as mid-January and creating stunning natural displays throughout February, Gloucestershire galanthophiles can get their 2024 flower fix with SoGlos's nine best places to see snowdrops in the county.
Snowdrops at Painswick Rococo Garden
Visitors can explore one of the country’s largest naturalistic plantings of snowdrops at Painswick Rococo Garden. Home to 15 species of the distinctive white flower, it’s also said to be the spiritual home of the tall, honey-scented Galanthus ‘Atkinsii’ variety.
The garden is open daily from Saturday 20 January to Thursday 29 February 2024, giving flower spotters plenty of chances to see them. It’s dog friendly too, so bring your four-legged friend along for some adorable photo opportunities.
Snowdrops at Batsford Arboretum
Wave goodbye to winter as Batsford Arboretum begins to bloom, with thousands of snowdrops blanketing the grounds. Contrasting against early flowering daffodils, vivid yellow aconites and fragrant daphnes, the 56-acre site is a patchwork of colour that’s sure to get you in the mood for spring.
Snowdrop enthusiasts can even create their own displays at home, with snowdrops ‘in the green’ available to buy at the Batsford garden centre. The arboretum is open daily.
Snowdrops at Museum in the Park
Set in the grounds of Stroud's Stratford Park, Museum in the Park has a gorgeous walled garden where keen galanthophiles can see snowdrops in bloom every winter — open to the public from Saturday 27 January 2024.
This year, it's also hosting a special opening weekend to celebrate the appearance of the snowdrops on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 January 2024, when visitors will get to learn all about the walled garden's collection and hear the story of Stroud's very own Giant Snowdrop Company. With bulbs to buy for your own garden and a snowdrop fairy-themed trail for children, too.
Snowdrops at Colesbourne Gardens
Considered to be one of Gloucestershire’s most prized collections of snowdrops, Colesbourne Gardens near Cheltenham is home to approximately 350 cultivars of the glistening white flowers, with thousands of new bulbs planted every year.
There are a handful of opportunities to see the snowdrops at this exclusive beauty spot, with Colesbourne Gardens hosting open days every weekend from Saturday 27 January to Sunday 25 February 2024 — and a nearby church, waterfall and lake for walkers to wander around as well.
Snowdrops at Newark Park
With seasonal highlights to see all year round, flower fans can catch a glimpse of some impressive blankets of snowdrops at the National Trust-owned Newark Park in Wotton-under-Edge this winter.
Just in time for snowdrop season, the garden and estate are open every day from Saturday 3 February 2024 onwards — plus, winter walkers can visit on weekends in January, too.
Snowdrops at Cerney House Gardens
Set in the heart of the Cotswolds near Cirencester, Cerney House Gardens is a ‘secret garden’ with romantic Victorian features, where visitors can enjoy woodland walks among masses of snowdrops every January and February.
The garden is open every day, with no need to book in advance. There are also plants for sale at the Potting Shed shop and self-service refreshments available at the Bothy tearoom.
Snowdrops at Rodmarton Manor
Located between Cirencester and Tetbury, Rodmarton Manor is a fine example of an Arts and Crafts manor house, with over 150 different species of snowdrops sprouting in its eight-acre gardens — the main ones bursting into bloom every February.
The gardens at Rodmarton Manor are open for snowdrop season on Wednesday 7, Saturday 10, Wednesday 14, Saturday 17, Wednesday 21 and Saturday 24 February 2024, welcoming visitors from 1.30pm.
Snowdrops at Cotswold Farm Gardens
Boasting over 80 varieties of stunning snowdrops, Cotswold Farm Gardens near Cirencester welcomes visitors to explore its seasonal spectacle, where they can discover the white flowers blooming in the borders, as well as along woodland paths.
Snowdrop-seekers can head to the gardens every Monday in February 2024, when it’s open from 11am to 3pm, or attend the National Garden Scheme open days on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 February 2024.
Snowdrops at Cotswold Wildlife Park
During the winter months, the snowdrops at Cotswold Wildlife Park burst into picture-perfect bloom, with around 30 different varieties to spot in its distinguished winter garden and adjacent woodland by the owl enclosures, as well as natural growers in the West Meadow, near the rhino paddock.
Cotswold Wildlife Park is open on weekends only until Thursday 8 February 2024, with plenty of chances to enjoy its winter garden and menagerie of creatures when standard opening times resume.
