For SNOWDROP EVENTS in KENT 2016 please follow this link

To discover the in depth folklore and magic of the snowdrop, as well as beautiful art work from the 'golden age' of early 20th century fairy painters find my "Snowdrop Magic" page here.

 

Brockhill Park, Saltwood,    (Near Hythe  CT21 4HL)     Website
Lakeside, woodland and river walks

       Many friends have told me that the snowdrops of 2015 were not nearly as abundant and happy as is their normal habit. Let's hope they flourish for 2016!

      Usually (see above)  one of the very best places to see snowdrops in Kent, and you can go there on any day you choose.Take a walk in beautiful park land around the lake with banks carpeted in snowdrops in February. Longer walks meander through the alder trees along the river.

  There's a nice cafe at the car-park with delicious home-made meals, cakes and refreshments - a vegetarian delight!

Ducks keeping their feet out of the icy lake water, and snowdrops in the snow at Brockhill Park on 12th February 2013

	Perfect for a winter stroll - admire the miriads of snowdrops, feed the ducks and moorhens on the lake - gaze at the pretty waterfalls - then indulge in a warming home-made, excellent value vegetarian lunch!  We did! *   Please note - lunch prices on photo at left are from 2012!

Pictures taken at Brockhill Park, Hythe - February 2013 and 2014

   

 

St Cosmos & St Damian,  Challock  (between Ashford & Faversham  TN25 4BP )  Website
Famous Snowdrop Teas

Open Dates	Open Times	Entry Fee
Sunday 8th February Sunday 15th February	After Sunday Service approx 12.00pm - 4.00pm	Donation

Outside Challock Church in the snowdrops,

	You can walk amongst the snowdrops at any time in early - late February, but for a real treat go when the church is specially opened.  There you will see the wonderful murals, including the famous Millennium Mural by local artist, the late John Ward which covers two huge walls as well as partaking of  delicious home-made refreshments.
Part of the John Ward Millenium Mural - photo source: www.challock.org

*Caution*:  this is a very popular event, be aware that human vehicles sometimes block the narrow,winding lane up and down the hill to the church. It may be quicker to fly! Or failing that - leave plenty of time!

Pictures taken at Challock Church, Kent in February 2013

 

 

*  New Event  for 2015 *

Hoath House, Chiddingstone Hoath,  (5 miles from Edenbridge,  Kent  TN8 7DB)    website
National Gardens Scheme - open for snowdrops

Open Dates	Open Times	Entry Fee
Weds Feb 25th 2015	11am - 4.00pm	Adults £5.00 for NGS

   Fine rural views over a Kentish landscape, a 'sea of single snowdrops' and a driveway planted with doubles will all encourage you to visit this garden, open for the National Gardens Scheme for this one winter viewing.

   Many other species of snowdrop have been planted throughout the garden. The medieval manor house is not open to the public, but homemade teas and refreshments will be available.

 

 

*  New Event  for 2015 *

Great Comp Gardens, Borough Green,  (nr Sevenoaks TN15 8QS)      Website
'Snowdrop Sensation'   Snowdrop Fair and Open Gardens

Open Dates	Open Times	Entry Fee
Sun Feb 22nd 2015	Snowdrop Fair 10.00am - 12.00pm Gardens 10.00am - 4.00pm	Adults £6.00

 

Great Comp Garden, Comp Lane, Platt, Borough Green, will be open for a brand new Winter event - the 'Snowdrop Sensation'.  A plant sale with specialist snowdrop and spring bulb nurseries will run from 10am to 12am.

The gardens, rarely seen in mid-winter, will be open to enjoy until 4.00pm.
Lunches, teas and refreshments will be available.

 

 

Mere House,  Mereworth  ( 10 miles from Maidstone ME18 5NB)     Website
National Gardens Scheme - open for snowdrops

Open Dates	Open Times	Entry Fee
Sun Feb 22nd Sun March 1st 2015	2.00pm - 5.00pm	£4.00

   The garden of Mere House opens early again this year to take advantage of the enchanting winter flowers.

 Walk through the woodland and along the lake-river bank then back towards the house for good home-made refreshments. Last season was very wet, but in 2013 & 2015 we were able to sit out in the sun with tea (with real teapots!!) and cake - in February!

Take home some Winter Magic!  Perfect for planting - 'in the green' and such good value. I'll let you know how mine do!

The woodland walk at Mere is carpeted by a mass of snowdrops.

Snowdrops, winter aconites and heathers brighten the winter days while hundreds more snowdrops grow on the house side of the river walk

 

Pictures taken at Mere House - February 2013 & 2015

 

 

Broadview Gardens, Hadlow College 
( between Tonbridge 3.5miles and Maistone 11.0miles TN11 0AL )    Website
Winter Colour, Hellebores and Snowdrops

Open Dates	Open Times	Entry Fee
Sun Feb 15th Sat Feb 21st Sun Feb 22nd 2015 Sat Feb 28th Sun March 1st	11.00am - 2.00pm	£3.00

Broadview Gardens is home to the national collection of hellebores as well as spectacular plantings of snowdrops and fine winter plants and shrubs.    Tours of the gardens may be taken and questions about planting and growing asked of the experts. It's also possible to visit the gardens during the week with no tour if preferrred.    The exquisite hellebore blooms (below) are set out in big dishes by the entrance to the Garden Centre and Tea Rooms.

    Snowdrops and hellebores are shown in a formal setting, with many different varieties to enjoy, growing in huge swathes in the various garden borders and beds. The plants are clearly labelled so take a notebook! Some are available to buy.

Tearooms will be open for light refreshments.

The Broadview Garden Centre may also be part of your visit.    

Pictures taken at Broadview Gardens, Hadlow College -February 2015

 

 

 Goodnestone Park Gardens  (near Wingham  CT3 1PL)   Website
Snowdrop and Hellebore Extravaganza

Open Dates	Open Times	Entry Fee
Sun Feb 22nd 2015	11.00am - 4.00pm	£6.00 conc. £5.50

   By now a traditional event and mecca for galanthophiles!  Stalls offering rare varieties of snowdrops and hellebores from both the Hardy Plant Society and specialist nurseries and growers are set up near the house. Warm up with a light lunch or afternoon tea.

	Walk down the fabulous Lime Avenue, carpeted with a million and more snowdrops and enjoy the rest of the extensive gardens and woodlands in winter.

Pictures taken at Goodnestone Park - February 2013

 

 

Hever Castle  (near Tunbridge Wells and Edenbridge TN8 7NG)    Website
Snowdrop Trail for Half Term with Workshops & Activities

Open Dates	Open Times	Entry Fee
Daily 14th Feb - 1st March 2015	Gardens 10.30am - 5.00pm	Gardens £12.70 Senior Citizen £11.30

Giant snowdrop signs mark the way along the Hever castle Snowdrop Trail

The pretty grounds of Ann Boleyn's childhood home are a treat in themselves, even in the depths of a wet February.  There is a well signed 'Snowdrop Trail' with its own map for vistors, but you may need your wellies to reach the final display!      There are several well established drifts in the woodlands and along the bank of the moat, but the trail itself is rather newly established.   Worth braving the wetter parts for the charming surprise ending!     The castle itself is open daily from 12.00, but entrance is at extra cost. Two cafe/restaurants will be open during the February Snowdrop openings for lunches, snacks and teas. See Hever Castle website (link above) for more details and times of talks, crafts etc.

Pass well established drifts along the trail and meet the colony of wicker bunnies, grazing on snowdrops in the field.

Pictures taken at Hever Castle - 20th February 2014

 

 

 Spring Platt  (near Sutton Valence ME17 3BY.)  Website
National Gardens Scheme - open for snowdrops

Open Dates	Open Times	Entry Fee
Sat Feb 7th Sun Feb 8th 2015	10.30am - 3.00pm (?)	£3.50 (?)

Small raised terraces planted with clearly labelled, individual species are a feature of the Spring Platt snowdrop collection

     Fine views over the Weald of Kent can be relished from Spring Platt, whilst close-up viewings of species snowdrops are made easy from the raised terraces. Take a note of your favourites. The garden is planted with thousands of early spring bulbs. Home-made soup and refreshments available.

Image from owner's website (link above)	Looking far over the Kentish Weald

Pictures taken at Spring Platt - February 2013

 

 

St. Mary's Church,   Hunton   ( 7 miles from Maidstone towards Tonbridge ME15 0RR.)    
Walk through the perfect snowdrop drifts surrounding the church   

Open Dates	Open Times	Entry Fee
February	any time	no charge

   You can visit this wonderful display of snowdrops at any time. The pretty churchyard is planted with thousands and thousands of galanthus, and many kinds thrive in the shady grass and lush, deep leaf-mould.

	A church has been standing on this site since the 11th century. The churchyard is planted extensively with the symbol of hope.

 

 

 

Charlton Park,  Bishopsbourne ( near Canterbury   CT4 5JA   Website
Woodland Walk in the snowdrop wood

Open Dates	Open Times	Entry Fee
Sunday 15th Feb 2015	11.00am - 2.00pm	Donations for Bishopsbourne Church

   This woodland is carpeted with snowdrops, thought to have been planted 200 years ago, in memory of the Prince Regent’s white charger, killed jumping from the Ballroom window which looks down towards the Dower House. Simply for a bet!

Walk in the snowdrop wood,
then peep inside the main house for a warm beside the huge log fires.
You will be welcomed with tea or coffee and biscuits.
Minimum donation (for refreshments and walk) £2.50 per person in aid of
St. Mary The Virgin Church, Bishopsbourne.

       

You are promised a walk through a 'snowdrop wood' and you certainly won't be disappointed. Leafless oaks, towering pines and deep green hollies line the way as you wend along the paths amongst thousands and thousands of the glorious 'Fair Maids of February'. Warmed by the log fire, a little vase greeted us on the tea tables.

Pictures taken at Charlton Park - 10th February 2013, as it was threatening snow.

 

 

 

  Copton Ash,  Faversham ( ME13 8XW )    Website
National Gardens Scheme - open for snowdrops & hellebores

Open Dates	Open Times	Entry Fee
Sun Feb 15th 2015	12.00 - 4.00pm	£3.50

  

 

  A Snowdrop collector's delight with species after species of snowdrop, all clearly labelled and hellebores of every hue.

The one and a half acre garden, is open early for just one day, so that we can enjoy the owners "special interest in woodland flowers, snowdrops and hellebores with flowering trees and shrubs of spring".

      Home-made teas available.

 

   Above, a magical white himalayan birch catches the sunlight. Right species snowdrops 'Gerard Parker' and 'Mrs Thompson'. Many unusual snowdrop varieties on sale at the plant stall.

  Photos taken at Copton Ash, Feb 17th 2013

 

 

 

St Mary's Church, Hinxhill  ( near Ashford  TN25 6NU )    
Churchyard planted with vast drifts of naturalised snowdrops.

Open Dates	Open Times	Entry Fee
February	any time	no charge

	It's been snowing a little in this part of Kent - but that doesn't deter the Flowers of Hope - in fact I think they like it!   The picture below is a close up from the one on the left, as it is so difficult to see the snowdrops from the snow in the original photograph!

 

 

 

Sharsted Woods, Newnham, Kent  ( 'The Street', on your left between
Doddington Place & The George  ME9 0LL towards between Lenham and Faversham)    
Woodland walk through snowdrops and chestnuts.

Open Dates	Open Times	Entry Fee
Snowdrops in February	any time	none

A pretty country drive and great place to walk the dog - paths through a chestnut wood wend up hill and down dale, the lowest areas awash with naturalised snowdrops.
*Note: not much parking beside the woods themselves - but an easy walk out of the village of Newnham.

 

 

Chelsea Physic Garden (66 Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London SW3 4HS)     Website
Snowdrop Days - an extravaganza at the famous Physic Garden

Open Dates	Open Times	Entry Fee
Saturday 31st January to Sunday 8th February 2015	10.00am - 4.00pm	Adults inc.seniors £9.90

     The garden is open in Winter for these few very special days only. There is a Snowdrop Trail, walks and free guided tours. The trail takes you around paths with carefully labelled, unusual species as well as more common varieties becoming naturalised under the trees.

 

   Potted snowdrops, some very rare (and expensive!), others familiar and accessible, with more winter-flowering plants are on sale from specialist nurseries in the snowdrop marquee.

   The most beautiful stars of the week are displayed in big pots so that you can look at them closely at eye-height in the exhibition at the little 'Snowdrop Theatre'.

    Mulled wine, teas, coffees and warming food available all day in the busy Tangerine Cafė. I really must recommend the 'Orange Polenta' cake if they have it this year!

Many, many unusual snowdrop varieties for sale in the Marquee, with my favourite, the dark green 'Seagull' on th right.

Photos taken at The Chelsea Physic Garden, February 13th 2014

 

 

Great Dixter Gardens  (Northiam, East Sussex, TN31 6PH )  Website
Winter Open Weekends

Open Dates	Open Times	Entry Fee
Saturday & Sunday Feb 14th & 15th Saturday & Sunday Feb 21st & 22nd	10.00am - 4.00pm	£5.00

    Many of you will be familiar with the gardens of Great Dixter - but perhaps you've never seen them in their winter splendour. I certainly hadn't. Now there are two weekends when you can see the structure and plantings as never before - much bare and skeletal but strikingly beautiful.

     These open weekends do not advertise themselves as 'Snowdrop' days, so I was amazed and delighted to find big clumps of variety after variety throughout the garden, and great drifts of white naturalised amongst grass and beneath the bare boughs in the summer beds.

	Less than two miles from Great Dixter is Northiam Station, where you can catch an old steam train to Bodiam or Tenterden and combine the gardens with a nostalgic ride.  We found the (special days only) 'Thomas the Tank Engine' train puffing at the crossing and stopped to take a picture.

Photos taken at Great Dixter, February 2015

 

 

 

Snowdrop Walk to St. Radigunds,  (Kearsney, Dover CT16 3EG )

Open Dates	Open Times	Entry Fee
Sunday 15th February	1.30pm - 4.30pm approx	min £2.00 donation appreciated

    Meet at the lovely Café in Kearsney Abbey Gardens for 1.30pm. This is on Alkham Road at the junction with Russell and Kearsney Abbey Gardens.

   A three hour round walk in the lovely Alkham Valley has been organised by the White Cliffs Countryside Partnership (01304 241806).  It will take you up to the site of St. Radigund's Abbey to see the snowdrops - there are two quite steep climbs on the route.

 

 

Snowdrop Painting Days (Adult education centres below)  Website

Class Venue	Class Date	Class Times	Course Fee
Sevenoaks Adult Ed.  TN13 3QN	Saturday 7th Feb	10.00am - 4.00pm	£45.00
Sittingbourne Adult Ed.  ME10 1LF	Saturday 14th Feb	10.00am - 4.00pm	£45.00

Here is something different for all those Kentish snowdrop lovers - " a relaxing day painting snowdrops in watercolour. There will be five hours tuition and an hour for lunch."  The colleges suggest that the courses are not suitable for complete beginners.

To find more details about the days, and enrol online - click here.

 

 

   *  Honourable Mention  *  -
The churchyard of St. Nicholas Church, Leeds and Broomfield ME171RL (8km from Maidstone)
- well worth stopping if you are on the way through this historic village.
(Pictures taken in the churchyard, Feb 23rd 2013)