The Shy Stars of Spring. Snowdrops in Northamptonshire 2024

The last two Sundays in February offer the best chance for a snowdrop visit.

With their delicate heads poking through the hard ground and nodding in the winter winds, snowdrops send an optimistic message that spring is on the way, and that all is well. 

February is the perfect time to wrap up warm and enjoy their blooms in one of Northamptonshire’s beautiful historic gardens. We are fortunate to have an abundance of places in Northamptonshire where we can enjoy these handsome harbingers of spring. Here are just a few of our favourite places, although there are many more. 

Please check websites to ensure gardens are open before you set off, as opening times and dates will vary. Some also require pre-booking. And as snowdrops can’t read a calendar they may decide to bloom earlier or later than expected. However, the last two Sundays in February generally offer the best chance for a snowdrop visit. 

Where to see snowdrops this February 2024 in Northamptonshire.

Boughton House does the ‘snowdrop carpet’ to stunning effect under its ancient trees, and the last time we visited the honey scent was delicious. Open 25th February with NGS. https://www.boughtonhouse.co.uk/events/

Canons Ashby has prettily naturalised snowdrops in the paddock and in the wonderfully restored formal gardens. Open daily from 10th February. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/canonsashby

Coton Manor, one of the finest privately owned and managed gardens in the country is open for both their wonderful snowdrops and exquisite hellebores. Open the last two weekends in February, and the first weekend in March. https://www.cotonmanor.co.uk/visitor-information/

Deene Park also has an impressive collection of varieties set in their manicured and topiaried formal gardens and canalised woodland gardens. Open 18th and 25th February. https://deenepark.com/snowdrops-sundays/

Lamport Hall can offer you snowdrops and art! For the third year they are hosting the Northamptonshire Open Studios Spring Exhibition over the weekends of 10/1th and 17/18th February. www.lamporthall.co.uk

Rockingham Castle has the most wonderful setting, with views for miles over five counties if it’s a clear day, and carpets of snowdrops too. Open 18th and 25th February. www.rockinghamcastle.com

Thenford Arboretum seems to take the record for the largest number of varieties. A pretty spot, and home to 600 different varieties of galanthus, under the care of Emma Thick, aka ‘the snowdrop lady’. Open days of 2nd, 6th, 10th, 17th and 21st February. www.thenfordarboretum.com

Evenley Wood Garden is a wonderful place to enjoy snowdrops in the most natural of settings. With over 80 varieties of snowdrops planted in swathes throughout this beautiful 60-acre woodland, it’s a perfect place to escape this winter. Check their website for dates and prices. https://www.evenleywoodgarden.co.uk/ 

And the National Garden scheme is worth a look for more places in Northamptonshire that may be opening specially for their Snowdrop Festival in 2024. www.ngs.org.uk