Visitors this year can not only marvel at the stunning white blooms and their promise of spring but also learn more about the Galanthus plant.

Thought to have been introduced to Britain by the Normans, snowdrops were actually first cultivated in England during Tudor times and documented in 1598 during the reign of Anne Boleyn’s daughter Elizabeth I.

Known for their medicinal properties and ability to cure headaches (those with a throbbing head would pick and gently rub the bulb at their temples!), snowdrops were traditionally grown in churchyards to coincide with Candlemas Day (2nd February).

There’s a religiosity to these delicate white flowers that gently trumpet the closing month of winter and the hope for spring to come in March.

Snowdrop Walk takes visitors along a wonderful exploratory tour of the Outer Moat, the Winter Gardens and through Sunday Walk and Church Gill. 

Thousands of Galanthus nivalis can be found blooming away on the Outer Moat, patrolled by a pair of our white swans, while up on Sunday Walk, snowdrops accompany the walker all the way up to Church Gill where unusual varieties have been planted in this newly developing garden.

The Winter Garden is also home to some unusual snowdrops like the giant ‘Colossus’, ‘Wendy’s Gold’ (a yellow-tinged beauty), ‘Grumpy’ (with markings that mimic a sad face) and Galanthus ‘Green Brush’.