See the signs of spring in National Trust gardens

Spring is on the way at many National Trust places across the South West, including in Devon and Cornwall, with snowdrops being spotted at many places. These dainty white flowers tend to bloom in January and February and pave the way for the crocuses and daffodils, which are a common sight in springtime.

This pretty little flower has been the top choice of bloom to spot by National Trust visitors over the years with more than 72% of people looking forward to seeing them in their local National Trust Garden. At Newark Park in Gloucestershire in the Cotswolds, plenty of snowdrops can be spotted which are at their best in February. 
For those who'd like to explore more of Newark Park beyond the gardens, there are estate walks to enjoy and Newark reopens on the 3rd of February daily from 10 am until 4 pm. 

At Stourhead near Mere in Wiltshire, brilliant white snowdrops can be found around the lake from February. With winding paths to follow, the design of the garden was created more than 250 years ago. 


With walking trails among the delicate scatterings of snowdrops in the Abbey's grounds, a day at Lacock near Chippenham in Wiltshire is a great way to get out in nature. Lacock's woodland garden is at its best in winter and spring, before the leaf canopy of the trees blocks out the light to the bulbs and flowers. Soon enough, under the trees you'll find, alongside snowdrops, anemones, daffodils and more.

The garden at Cotehele near Saltash in Cornwall is a place for all seasons. At this time of year, snowdrops are in abundance. Although snowdrops flower all over Cotehele, you’ll find them in the Upper Garden; under trees, in the borders and peeking through the black grass on the pond. You’ll also find the daffodils making an appearance with the first stems sprouting with the first daffodils providing some yellow sunshine. 
 

Killerton’s garden at Broadclyst near Exeter is filled with pockets of cheery snowdrops. You can find them throughout the garden, near the chapel, in the parkland in front of the house, in Danes Wood and Ashclyst Forest. 
 

The woodland garden at Knightshayes near Tiverton in Devon is a great place to see dainty snowdrops and hellebores, as well as early flowering camellias and rhododendrons. This part of the garden has been described as like a sweet shop for any plant lover.
 

Thanks to the mild maritime climate at Trelissick, near Truro in Cornwall, the borders are already scattered with hellebores, snowdrops and primroses, and the river views are framed and silhouetted by the budding branches in the canopies. 

 

There are great displays of snowdrops to see as you wander the winding paths at Trengwainton, in Cornwall, with hundreds nestling at the base of the trees lining the Drive and Long Walk. 


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