The 10 Best snowdrop walks

It's been a long, cold, lonely winter so make the most of the first sign of the new season by taking a stroll

{1} Dunham Massey, Greater Manchester

The country’s largest winter garden opened in Cheshire in 2009 and boasts hundreds of thousands of snowdrops. Even head gardener Damian Harris has said it’s hard to imagine how much it has changed in just four years.

Garden open 11am-4pm Mon-Fri, 11am-5.30pm Sat and Sun, adults £7.20, children £3.60, nationaltrust.org.uk/dunham-massey

{2} Cambo House, Fife

Taking a walk through the flower-carpeted woodlands is just one of the many things you can do to appreciate the snowdrops around Cambo House. Make sure you check out the national collection of snowdrops, which boasts more than 350 varieties.

2 Feb-17 March, 10am-5pm, adults £5, children free, camboestate.com/snowdrops/

{3} Kingston Lacy, Dorset

Enjoy a stroll through the grounds of this curious family home, built in the style of an Italian palace. There are plenty of grounds to explore and the restaurant is welcome after a walk.

Garden and park open 10am-4pm, adults £5.40, children £2.70, nationaltrust.org.uk/kingston-lacy

{4} Ickworth, Suffolk

Three different routes take walkers through the sea of snowdrops in Ickworth’s park and woodland. If the weather is still biting, have a browse in its second-hand bookshop to warm up.

Park open 8am-2pm, adults £3.10, children free, nationaltrust.org.uk/ickworth

{5} Nymans, West Sussex

Among the top places to see snowdrops in the country, Nymans even has its own “flower line”, set up by assistant head gardener Phil Holmes, that you can call to check if the bulbs are out yet.

Garden open 10am-4pm, adults £9.50, children £5, nationaltrust.org.uk/nymans

{6} Deene Park, Northamptonshire

Come along to one of Deene Park’s “Snowdrop Sundays”. You can take walks around the lakeside, buy snowdrops for yourself and finish your day off with a break at The Old Kitchen.

24 February, 11am-4pm, adults £6, children aged 10-14 £3, deenepark.com

{7} East Lambrook Manor, Somerset

With a collection of more than 80 types of snowdrop growing around the garden, this is a great place to enjoy them.

10am-5pm, adults £5, under-16s free, eastlambrook.co.uk

{8} Anglesey Abbey, Cambridge

One of England’s best displays, with over 240 varieties blooming around the garden, it’s no surprise Anglesey Abbey describes this time of the year as their “Snowdrop Festival”.

Garden open 28 January-3 March, 10am-4.30pm, adults £6.35, children free, nationaltrust.org.uk/anglesey-abbey

{9} Easton Lodge, Essex

Catch Easton Lodge’s last “Snowdrop Sunday”, which features a free guided tour and homemade cake, soup and bacon rolls to fill you up at lunchtime. Snowdrops will also be available to buy on the day.

24 February, 12am-4pm, adults £3.50, children free, eastonlodge.co.uk

{10} Benington Lordship Gardens, Hertfordshire

Perfect for a day trip from London, these gardens in Stevenage put on a spectacular display each spring. Guided walks take place on Mondays and Wednesdays and on Sunday afternoons you can enjoy a series of concerts at St Peter’s Church.

Until 24 Feb, 12am-4pm, adults £5, under-16s £2, under-12s free, beningtonlordship.co.uk

Click here to view Christmas tours and breaks, with Independent Holidays.