On a wintry day in February there is possibly no better activity than getting out and visiting a National Gardens Scheme garden where you will see the spectacular sight of snowdrops, creating a white carpet; a sight to behold.

In 2017 around 90 gardens will open nationally for the second annual National Gardens Scheme (NGS) Snowdrop Festival, some with as many as 300 named varieties of snowdrops.

In Norfolk there are four well known gardens participating in the festival starting on Saturday 18^th February with Matthew and Caroline Fleming’s magnificent garden at Horstead House in Mill Road, Horstead, NR12 7AU, with millions of these popular flowers on show in woodland and riverside settings. The garden is open from 11am to 4pm and admission is £4 with free entry for children. There will be homemade teas available.

On Sunday 26th February, on the West side of the County is Bagthorpe Hall, near East Rudham, PE31 6QY with a circular woodland walk through snowdrops. Delicious warming soup made from vegetables grown on the estate farm will be available. The gardens are open from 11am to 4pm and admission is £4, children free.

Also on the 26^th February and on Sunday 5^th March there are no less than 90 varieties of snowdrops to grab your attention at Chestnut Farm in West Beckham NR25 6NX.Here there will also be plenty of other late winter flowers to admire with some heavenly scented shrubs. Owners John and Judy McNeil Wilson have over 50 years of gardening expertise and are always keen to share their knowledge with visitors. The gardens are open from 11am to 4pm, admission is £5 with children free. Refreshments will be available.

On Sunday 5^th  March we are delighted that the president of The Royal Horticultural Society, Sir Nicholas Bacon has agreed to open his garden at Raveningham Hall, Raveningham near Norwich NR14 6NS. There will be snowdrops on display along with much else to admire in this renowned country house garden. The gardens are open from 11am to 4pm, admission is £5 with children free and home-made teas available

George Plumptre, Chief Executive of The National Gardens Scheme, says:

“During our first Snowdrop Festival in 2016 many of our garden owners were overwhelmed by the amount of visitors that attended their openings. Many remarked that visitors were perfectly happy to wrap up warm and brave the elements to see the stunning view of hundreds of snowdrops on display in a garden.”

“Whether you want to admire the different varieties of snowdrops or just have a walk in lovely surroundings, visiting a National Gardens Scheme garden in February will be the perfect escape.”

Visitors to Snowdrop Festival gardens will also have the benefit of knowing that their entrance fee is supporting wonderful causes; the NGS currently donates over £2.6 million annually to its nursing and caring beneficiary charities, which include Marie Curie and Parkinson’s UK.

Details of all NGS gardens opening for the Snowdrop Festival can be found on the NGS website: www.ngs.org.uk