Snowdrops are one of the first signs of spring and these delicate white flowers are beginning to carpet the woods around Somerset. The flowing snowdrop is a welcome sign and can be found in woods across Somerset from the end of January to early March. 
 

Snowdrops look best when the petals open to reveal the attractive markings on the inner segments of the flower and for this to happen the temperature need to be about 7 or 8 degrees C.
 

 We have listed a few places you can visit to see the spectacular displays by bus.
 

MENDIP
 

Glastonbury Abbey, Glastonbury
 

Glastonbury Abbey. The 45 acres of Glastonbury Abbey is covered with a carpet of snowdrops every January and February.  The Abbey is open 7 days a week.  
 

For more information: https://www.glastonburyabbey.com/
 

BY BUS: Glastonbury Abbey is a short walk from the centre of Glastonbury. Bus services include: First Buses of Somerset 29, 55, 75, 77, 77A, First West of England 376, Libra Travel 668, 519, 649, Frome Bus 669, Isle of Wedmore 751.
 

Bishop's Palace, Wells

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The Bishop’s Palace’s popular “Snowdrop Celebrations” return to Wells in February.

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Visitors can collect a printed Snowdrop Walk to guide them around the moat banks carpeted with spectacular snowdrops, and across the Willow Bridge to enjoy an Arboretum full of snowdrops of several varieties. 

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Plus each weekend little ones can pick up a children’s trail from the Palace Ticket Office with the reward of a small prize upon completion.

The Palace’s Head Gardener, James Cross, will be leading visitors around the gardens of the Palace on 7th and 12th February at 1.30pm, sharing his horticultural knowledge and expertise.  

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For more information: https://bishopspalace.org.uk

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BY BUS: Wells is severed by various buses including First Bus West of England 173, 174, 376, Mendip Community Transport 67, First Buses of Somerset 77, Libra Travel 126, CT Coaches 683. These are stop at Wells bus station about a 10minutes walk to the Bishops Palace. 

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Shepton Mallet Snowdrop Festival, around Shepton Mallet, Somerset

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Shepton Mallet holds it’s annual Snowdrop festival between 13 – 19 February. 

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Take part in lots of activities including snowdrop walks, poetry and photography competitions, storytelling, tea party, a ball, talk by Paula Carnell Head of Beekeeping at The Newt, snowdrop sales, arts and crafts and more. Special stalls at the Sunday Market, talks, a snowdrop trail, a procession, arts and crafts and booksignings.

For more information: https://www.sheptonsnowdrops.org.uk/

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BY BUS: South West Coaches 1, FromeBus 669 162, First Bristol, Bath & the West 174.

The Newt, near Castle Cary
 

 The Newt in Somerset is a working country estate with acres of farmland, woodland, orchards and gardens. The gardens are open daily for visitors to explore and enjoy our restaurants, farm shops, Cyder Cellar and The Story of Gardening experience. 

A  100000 snowdrops have been planted around the gardens and in the woods. Well worth a visit. 

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BY BUS: South West Coaches 667 service. You might be able to ask the driver to drop you outside The Newt otherwise nearest bus stop is a short walk away at Shepton Montague The Montague Inn.

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For more information: https://thenewtinsomerset.com/

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SEDGEMOOR
 

Fyne Court, Bridgwater (National Trust)
 

Located in the heart of Quantock Hills, witness the wild garden of Fyne Court in National Court where you can explore the blankets of beautiful snowdrops adorning the woodland floor with the pops of colour from yellow archangel, primroses, and bluebells. Fyne Court is supposed to be the great starting point to enjoy the walks through the countryside where you can enjoy the pristine and exotic views from the top of Quantocks.

 

For more information: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/somerset/fyne-court

BY BUS: Hatch Green 23 service to Kingston St Mary where it is a 10mins walk.

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SOUTH SOMERSET

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East Lambrook Manor Gardens, Near South Petherton

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Festival of Snowdrops: From Wednesday 1st to Tuesday 28th February, 10am to 5pm

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The snowdrops are famous at the Grade 1 listed garden created by Margery Fish. One of the first ‘galanthophiles’, she collected snowdrops to plant in her now garden from 1938 to 1969, and amassed a significant collection. Expect swathes of snowdrops (160 different varieties), unusual cultivars, Chris Kampf’s steel snowdrop sculptures and over 80 different varieties of the little white flower to buy for your own garden.

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In the nursery there are around 90-100 different varieties of snowdrop for sale  ranging in price from £3.00 a pot to £80.00 a bulb.

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National Garden Society Snowdrop Open Day, East Lambrook Manor Gardens, Near South Petherton

Thursday 9th February 2023 - 10am - 5pm

A popular day to come and see snowdrops. All admission charges donated to the National Garden Scheme (therefore all 2-for-1 and other offers are not valid on the 9th February as we are raising money for charity. Visit www.ngs.org.uk

For more information: http://www.eastlambrook.com/pages/site.php?pgid=66

BY BUS TO SOUTH PETHERTON

Somerset County Council bus service 18, 81(Timetable: https://bustimes.org/localities/south-petherton )
East Lambrook Manor Gardens is about half a mile walk from South Petherton. For a walking map: https://southpethertonparishcouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2020/11/footpathmap.pdf

Snowdrop weekends at Forde Abbey, near Chard

Thirty acres of award-winning gardens in a 12th century Cistercian Abbey, now a private home, resplendent with snowdrops plus camellias, hellebores, crocii and spring bulbs. Mostly the common snowdrop but more unusual varieties hidden here and there. Gift and coffee shops. Open weekends throughout February, from Sat 4 to Sat 26 February, 10.30am–4pm.
 

For more information:  https://www.fordeabbey.co.uk/event/snowdrop-weekends-in-february/

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BUS: First Buses of Somerset 14

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SOUTH WEST AND TAUNTON
 

Snowdrop Valley, near Wheddon Cross, Exmoor, Somerset

Once only the locals knew about this remote and privately owned valley, the site of a former river-powered sawmill near Exmoor’s highest village, which is carpeted with snowdrops and open to the public from Sat 28 January to Sun 26 February. Now you can catch a bus, Range Rover services into the valley or park at the Cattle Market in Wheddon Cross and walk up.

 

For more information: https://www.wheddoncross.org.uk/snowdrop-valley

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BY BUS: Atwest 198 timetable: https://bustimes.org/services/198-dulverton-minehead

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Dunster Castle Dunster, Somerset (National Trust)

The castle with its impressive medieval gatehouse and ruined tower is known for its Mediterranean and subtropical plants but there are swathes of snowdrops too plus panoramic views over the Bristol Channel and surrounding countryside. Watermill tea room. Open at weekends from 10am–4pm and daily over Feb half term.

 

For more information: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/somerset/dunster-castle-and-watermill

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BY BUS: First Buses of Somerset 28, Atwest 198 (timetable: https://bustimes.org/services/198-dulverton-minehead)

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JUST OVER SOMERSET’S BORDER

Prior Park, Bath (National Trust)
 

You can enjoy the elegant surroundings of an 18th-century landscape garden in Bath, while also finding banks of wild snowdrops in its woodlands.

Winter is a good time to explore Prior Park, with bare trees opening up views across the garden and towards the city. After visiting the garden’s famous Palladian Bridge, it’s worth wandering further and taking to a woodland trail.
 

When the National Trust bought the property in 1993 the timber ruins of an old summerhouse were found deep in the woods. In 2004 the structure was rebuilt, and it is now the perfect place to stop and rest, surrounded by trees and native flowers – including the many snowdrops which cover the woodland floor.

It’s a beautiful, natural display, the snowdrops later giving way to daffodils and wild garlic.

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For more information:  www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/bath-bristol/prior-park-landscape-garden
 

BY BUS: First Bus 173, 174, D2 and 20 minutes walk from Bath bus station or catch the First Bus 2 service which drops you straight outside the gardens.

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Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire (National Trust)
 

Lacock Abbey is set in the beautiful village of Lacock which is famous as a location and setting for period dramas.

Lacock Abbey is set in the beautiful village of Lacock which is famous as a location and setting for period dramas. Lacock Abbey, its medieval cloisters and rooms are steeped in history and make for an interesting visit. The Fox Talbot Museum is also set within the grounds of the Abbey and is worth visiting.

Lacock Abbey has delightful displays of snowdrops and aconites in February and early March. You can follow various paths within the grounds to make the most of your time.

Make sure you have time to wander around the village, its shops and tearooms.

Grounds open daily.

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For more information: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wiltshire/lacock

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BY BUS: Faresaver Buses x34 service.