I’m Beverley, Owner of The Stratford Park Hotel & Golf Club and I had to write to you after yesterday’s visit to Baddesley Clinton – the snowdrops were gorgeous. It reminded me why February is my favourite time of year in Warwickshire and the Cotswolds, and I had to share some of my favourite snowdrop spots with you.
Whether you’re a seasoned galanthophile or simply looking for a lovely winter escape, these gardens offer beautiful snowdrop displays. And the best part? After a day exploring, you can return to our roaring fires and warm hospitality!
Baddesley Clinton – visited 31st January
Location: Rising Lane, Baddesley Clinton, Knowle, Solihull, B93 0DQ
Open: Daily (check National Trust website for winter hours)
I visited just yesterday & there is a beautiful display around the Church yard. The flowers create a stunning white carpet throughout the grounds. I couldn’t visit the manor house as I had my dogs Boz & Lola with me but if you do visit the manor please let me know if there is a snowdrop display there.
Hill Close Gardens, Warwick
Location: Bread and Meat Close, Warwick, CV34 6HF
Open: 11am – 4pm (various dates in January/February)
These beautifully restored Victorian leisure gardens are home to over 100 varieties of snowdrops spread across 16 individual hedged gardens.
A true snowdrop lover’s paradise!
The gardens also feature heritage apple and pear trees, Victorian-style summerhouses, and a charming glasshouse.
Snowdrop plants are typically available for sale during opening days.
Highlight: The diversity of snowdrop varieties in a uniquely intimate Victorian setting makes this a must-visit.
Upton House and Gardens
Location: Near Banbury (on Warwickshire/Oxfordshire border), OX15 6HT
Open: Daily during winter via the Winter Walk
The slopes surrounding this National Trust treasure are beautifully carpeted with snowdrops each February. The terraced gardens cascade down to pools and lawns, creating stunning views as the delicate white blooms emerge. The gardens span 12 hectares within an 18th-century landscape park designed by one of Britain’s first professional female garden designers, Kitty Lloyd-Jones.
Highlight: Spectacular snowdrop displays along the slopes with dramatic views across the terraced gardens.
Charlecote Park
Location: Wellesbourne (4 miles east of Stratford-upon-Avon), CV35 9ER
Open: Daily from 9:30am
This magnificent Tudor estate features snowdrops blooming throughout its 180-acre deer park in late winter. Visitors can enjoy snowdrop carpets along the riverside walks and throughout the formal parterre while spotting the estate’s famous fallow deer herd.
The parkland, influenced by Capability Brown’s design, provides a stunning backdrop for these early spring flowers.
Highlight: Combine snowdrop spotting with deer watching and riverside strolls on this historic estate.
Venture into the Cotswolds
Just a short drive away, the Cotswolds offer some of England’s finest snowdrop displays. Here are my top picks:
Colesbourne Park ⭐⭐⭐
Location: Colesbourne, Near Cheltenham, GL53 9NP
Open: Weekends only – 31 Jan–1 Feb, 7–8 Feb, 14–15 Feb, 21–22 Feb, 28 Feb–1 Mar 2026, 11am–4pm
Cost: £13.50 adults / Free for children under 16
Often described as ‘England’s greatest snowdrop garden’, Colesbourne Park is an absolute must-visit for snowdrop enthusiasts. With over 350 varieties spread across ten acres of traditional country gardens, this is where the Elwes family have been cultivating snowdrops since Henry John Elwes discovered Galanthus Elwesii in Turkey in 1874. The formal garden, ice house, and woodland trails are all carpeted with these precious blooms. You can even buy rare varieties from their plant stall!
My tip: Pre-booking is essential – these weekends sell out quickly. Visit St James’ church in the estate grounds while you’re there.
Batsford Arboretum
Location: Near Moreton-in-Marsh, GL56 9AT
Open: Daily 9:30am–5pm (Mon-Sat), 10am–5pm (Sun)
Cost: £10.90 adults / £9.95 seniors / £3.15 children under 16
Set in 60 acres of beautiful Cotswold countryside, this former home of the Mitford family comes alive in late winter with seas of snowdrops running along stream edges and beneath magnificent trees from around the world. The combination of snowdrops, aconites, crocuses, and hellebores creates a truly spectacular display. After your walk, warm up in the lovely Garden Terrace Café.
Highlight: The snowdrop displays along the trickling stream are Instagram-worthy, and there’s a winter trail for children too.
Painswick Rococo Garden
Location: Painswick, GL6 6TH
Open: Daily 10am–5pm from 17 January 2026
Cost: £12.80 adults / £6 children (4-16) / £33 family ticket
This hidden 1740s pleasure garden tucked in a valley on the outskirts of Painswick is one of my secret favourites. The snowdrops create stunning displays throughout the woodland trails and the Snowdrop Grove. Time your visit for late afternoon when the low winter sun comes underneath the trees and lights up the stained-glass windows of the Red House – it’s absolutely magical!
Highlight: The combination of follies, maze, and mass snowdrop displays makes this uniquely atmospheric.
Cerney House Gardens
Location: North Cerney, Cirencester, GL7 7BX
Open: Daily 10am until dark throughout the year
Cost: £7 adults / £1 children under 15
Country Living magazine called this romantic Victorian walled garden “what most people aspire to in their gardens.” The manor house is surrounded by 40 acres of parkland and woodland trails, all carpeted with snowdrops in late January and throughout February. I love the self-service bothy tea room – perfect for a warming cup of tea after your snowdrop walk.
My tip: No booking required, and dogs on leads are welcome. Look for the Snowdrop trail opening on 25th January.
Highlight: Combine snowdrop spotting with deer watching and riverside strolls on this historic estate.
Planning Your Visit
Best Time: Late January through February is prime snowdrop season, though mild weather can bring early displays. Always check individual garden websites or social media for bloom updates before travelling.
What to Bring: Sturdy walking shoes (paths can be muddy), a camera for those Instagram moments, warm layers, and a flask of something hot!
Perfect for: Romantic walks, family days out, nature photography, or simply a peaceful escape from daily life.
Make It a Memorable Stay with us
After a day exploring these snowdrop trails, there’s nothing quite like returning to the warmth and comfort of our hotel where roaring fires await.
There’s something special about stepping in from the crisp winter air to find a cosy armchair by the fireside, perhaps with a warming drink in hand.
We’re perfectly located as your base for snowdrop adventures – wake up to a hearty breakfast before heading out to the gardens, then come back to relax by the crackling flames while you plan tomorrow’s discoveries. With comfortable rooms, excellent dining, and that quintessential country atmosphere, I’ll personally ensure your snowdrop escape is as restful as it is beautiful.
Don’t miss these fleeting harbingers of spring! The delicate nodding heads of snowdrops create magical carpets of white across our local historic gardens, offering the perfect excuse for a winter countryside escape.
Warmest wishes,
Beverley

