National Trusts top ten spots for snowdrops

Here are the National Trust’s top ten gardens promising spectacular displays of snowdrops:

Anglesey Abbey, Gardens and Lode Mill, Cambridgeshire
Anglesey’s garden majestically boasts 240 different varieties of snowdrop scattered across 114 acres. Meander through the paths and soak up the fabulous show that the garden offers. Snowdrops will not be all that you see; the winter garden shows coloured tree barks, winter flowering shrubs and ground cover plants.
General admission charges apply.
For more information please call 01223 810080.
 
The Argory, Co Armagh
This spectacular riverside estate shows a stunning display of snowdrops and other superb spring bulbs . Snowdrop self-guided walks run every Saturday and Sunday in the month 12pm to 5pm, where the scenic walk shows off the garden as the frost thaws. With snowdrop plants available to buy, fun for children in the adventure playground, a trip to The Argory this February is well worth it.
Grounds admission charges apply.
£3 per adult, £1.50 per child or £7.50 per family
For more information please call 028 8778 4753.
 
Attingham Park, Shropshire
Watch Attingham’s woodland floor transform into a stunning carpet of snowdrops. Stroll around this great estate between Shrewsbury and the River Severn and enjoy abundant sprinkles of the delicate flowers in beautiful parkland, designed to impress.
Park and grounds admission charges apply.
For more information please call 01743 708123.
 
Belton House, Lincolnshire
With delightful gardens, a luxuriantly planted Orangery and lakeside walks, Belton is a pleasure to explore all year round and never more so as the early signs of spring creep in. Don’t miss delicate displays of snowdrops that melt away all thoughts of winter.
Grounds admission charges apply.
For more information please call 01476 566116.
 
Chirk Castle, Wrexham
Chase away those winter blues with a bracing walk around the award winning gardens and woods carpeted with delicate snowdrops. Glimpses of the spring bulbs can be found throughout the garden. The snowdrops scatter between clipped yews, herbaceous borders, shrub and rock gardens, as well as a terrace with stunning views over the Cheshire and Salop plains.
General admission charges apply.
Snowdrop Days, 1-29 February, 11am to 4pm
For more information please call 01691 777701.
 
Dunham Massey, Cheshire
Take a stroll in one of the North’s greatest gardens and discover the delights of Britain’s largest winter garden, where the white carpet will be rolled out for visitors. The garden contains almost 700 different plant species and a further 1,600 shrubs specifically bred for the seven acre wonder. January heralds the first early signs of spring with the delicate charms of snowdrops, where clusters of over 100,000 double and single snowdrops and 20,000 narcissi bloom amongst the trees.
Garden admission charges apply.
For more information please call 0161 941 1025
 
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, Yorkshire
This World Heritage Site, set in 323 hectares of beautiful countryside, offers an unparalleled opportunity to appreciate the range of England's heritage and natural beauty. Walk on a white carpet of snowdrops in early spring as you explore the magnificent 12th-century abbey ruins and amble through the beautiful landscaped Georgian water garden of Studley Royal, complete with Neo-classical statues, follies and breathtaking views.
Normal admission charges apply.
For more information please call 01765 608888
 
Ickworth, Suffolk
Wander around Ickworth’s park and along Geraldine’s Walk, Oak Walk and the Trim Trail, where snowdrops are complemented by the golden glow of aconites. Discover amazing views of the estate, or warm up in the West Wing restaurant with delicious food and drink (Friday to Tuesday).
Garden admission charges apply.
For more information please call 01284 735270
 
Kingston Lacy, Dorset
The Kingston Lacy garden wakes up in spectacular fashion in January and February when thousands of this favourite flower burst through the soil transforming the garden into a sea of white. Special snowdrop openings are a tradition at Kingston Lacy so visitors can wander through the displays and salute this first welcome sign of spring.
Park and garden admission charges apply.
For more information please call 01202 883402.
 
Nymans, West Sussex
This 20th-century garden is famed for its amazing collection of rare and important plants. At the start of spring, spot wonderful displays of snowdrops as well as camellias and magnolias underplanted with a host of daffodils and grape hyacinths. The bulb meadow in the Wall Garden is full of snowdrops and early narcissus and there are rare hellebores all around the garden.
Garden admission charges apply.
For more information please call 01444 405250