Gardens In Norfolk Celebrating The National Garden Scheme Snowdrop Festival In 2023

Fresh air and the faithful first signs of spring epitomised by drifts of glorious snowdrops are a reminder of the changing seasons and the promise of what’s to come.

What better way to shake off the winter and to celebrate the gardening visiting year ahead than with the National Garden Scheme’s 2023 Snowdrop Festival. These glorious harbingers of Spring can be viewed at 6 National Garden Scheme gardens throughout Norfolk during January, February, and March.

On a wintry day, there is nothing better than visiting a garden gleaming with one of the earliest flowering plants of the year. Whether you enjoy carpets of naturalised white in woodlands meticulously grown rare varieties of snowdrops or gardens boasting a colourful mix of early spring flowers - there is something for galanthophiles and garden enthusiasts alike.

Julia Stafford Allen, County organiser for Norfolk, says: Even if you are not a gardener, our snowdrop gardens in Norfolk are a joy to visit and a real antidote to the winter blues. Most of our gardens provide delicious refreshments and it is an inexpensive family day out with admission for children free.

Snowdrop Festival Facts

· 6 gardens across the county are opening for the National Garden Scheme Snowdrop Festival in 2023.

· Many of the gardens feature snowdrops and other early spring flowers.

· The festival runs between 1st-28th February.

· Originally launched in 2016 to mark the Year of the English Garden, the National Garden Scheme has been championing the Snowdrop Festival ever since, creating a wonderful taster for the garden visiting year to come .

· The snowdrop gardens attract high visitor numbers. The uncomplicated visitor experience - often accompanied by a warming bowl of soup or hot drinks - fresh air and the beautiful, faithful first signs of spring are a reminder of the changing seasons and the promise of what’s to come .

Sunday 5th February Lexham Hall, PE32 2QJ (11am - 4pm) Admission £6.00 An interesting walk-through naturalised snowdrops and returning through walled garden. Dogs on leads. Refreshments available.

Sunday 12th February Lexham Hall, PE32 2QJ (11am - 4pm) Admission £6.00 Children Free Lexham Hall. Stunning snowdrop walk surrounded by parkland and returning through walled garden. Dogs on leads. Refreshments available.

Saturday 18th February Horstead House, NR12 7AU (11am - 4pm) Admission £5.00. Situated by the river Bure, with colourful dogwoods, stunning display of snowdrops carpet the woodland setting. Dogs on leads. Refreshments available.

Sunday 19th February Bagthorpe, PE31 6QY (11am - 4pm) Admission £5.00 Delightful circular walk which meanders through a carpet of naturalised snowdrops. Dogs on leads. Refreshments available.

Saturday 25th February Hindringham Hall, NR21 0QA (10am - 4pm) Admission £9.00 children £2.50. A behind the scenes wintry look to this beautiful garden described by the Guardian as ‘Amongst 12 of Best Secret Gardens in UK’. Light Refreshments.

Saturday 25th February Raveningham Hall, NR14 6NS. £22 Pre-booked tickets essential obtained at: www.ngs.org.uk Set in glorious parkland setting this guided walk by Sir Nicholas Bacon will take you around this traditional country house garden, with stumpery and arboretum. Admission includes Tea & cake. Dogs on leads.

Sunday 26th February Chestnut Farm, NR25 6NX. Admisssion £5.00. Mature 3 acres of garden developed over 60 years. Collections of many rare and unusual plants and trees. 100+ varieties of snowdrops, drifts of crocus with seasonal flowering shrubs. Light Refreshments.