Here are 8 of the nicest spots in and around Suffolk to catch snowdrops this spring
There’s no more beautiful sign of spring than the appearance of snowdrops. Here we let you know some of the places you can enjoy this symbol of new beginnings.
Chippenham Park, Chippenham Hall, Chippenham Park, Newmarket CB7 5PT
The award-winning gardens of Chippenham Park are known for their vast swathes of snowdrops and aconites in late winter.
Awarded the highest two-star rating by the Good Gardens Guide, Chippenham Park is a family estate in a setting of lakes, canals and parkland created at the end of the 17th century by Admiral Lord Russell.
It opens for the first time in 2023 on January 21 and remains open until April 2, 10am-4pm.
Entry is £7 adults, £3 children five-16 years and payment on the gate and in its tearoom is cash only.
Oxburgh Hall, Oxborough, near Swaffham, Norfolk, PE33 9PS
In late winter and early spring, Oxborough’s Wilderness, My Lady’s Wood and along the North Terrace are decorated with thousands of snowdrops which have naturally seeded themselves.
You can go and see them between February 24 and 28, from 9.30am to 4pm.
nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/norfolk/oxburgh-hall
Fullers Mill, West Stow, Bury St Edmunds IP28 6HD
Fullers Mill, the tranquil seven-acre garden on the banks of the River Lark will be showing off its snowdrops, and many other plants, on Wednesdays and Fridays in February between 11am and 3pm.
The gardens, created by the late Bernard Tickner over 50 years, is now run by the charity Perennial, dedicated to helping everyone who works in horticulture, and their families, when times get tough.
perennial.org.uk/garden/fullers-mill-garden
Celebration of Snowdrops, January 21, Norton Village Hall, Norton, Bury St Edmunds, IP31 3ND
This is your chance to obtain the rarest of snowdrops for your own garden.
Sellers from all over the country will be at the Harveys Garden Plants event, held from 11.30am to 2.30pm.
Entry is £3 RHS members, £4 non-members.
Ickworth Park, Horringer, Bury St Edmunds IP29 5QE
Weave through carpets of snowdrops and aconites on Lady Geraldine’s Walk and Albana Walk between January 11 and February 28 at the National Trust property just outside Bury St Edmunds.
Gardens are open daily, 10am-4pm.
nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/suffolk/ickworth
Daws Hall Nature, Henny Road, Bures CO8 5EX
Wander through the carpet of snowdrops on one of the reserve’s Snowdrop Sundays to be held on January 29 and February 12, 10am-3pm.
Explore the 25 acres of the riverside nature reserve and three acres of private garden on the Essex/Suffolk border.
Entry is by donation and all proceeds go to the Daws Hall Trust.
Anglesey Abbey, Quy Road, Lode, Cambridge CB25 9EJ
With the gardens showcasing around 300 varieties of snowdrops, there’s no denying that spring is on its way.
Why not take one of the Snowdrops: The Specialist Collection Tours, to see unusual varieties close up and hear the intriguing stories and characters behind them.
Tours, taking place Monday-Friday, January 30-February 10 and February 20-24, must be pre-booked.
Normal admission applies (tours are free).
nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cambridgeshire/anglesey-abbey-gardens-and-lode-mill
Kentwell Hall, High Street, Long Melford, Sudbury CO10 9BA
Early spring sees the woods at Kentwell Hall lit up by the dainty heads of swathes of snowdrops.
The formal and informal gardens and parklands provide visitors something to see through all the seasons.
