Snowdrop trail at Hever provides group trip inspiration for February

Hever Castle & Gardens in Kent will be hosting a Snowdrop Walk next February which will allow visitors to admire the flowers in full bloom.

A carpet of snowdrops will provide a ‘magical trail’ for visitors to follow as they make their way around the castle grounds.

The Snowdrop Walk will run throughout half term week from 10th February.

Snowdrop Walk

Around 70,000 snowdrop bulbs have been planted in the gardens over the past few years including a mix of single and double snowdrops. These will be interspersed with some unusual varieties such as the yellow tipped ‘Wendy’s Gold’, a giant galanthus called ‘Colossus’ which at nine inches is one of the tallest snowdrops you can find, and Galanthus ‘Green Brush’ with its green tipped flowers.

Visitors to the childhood home of Anne Boleyn will be able to enjoy a walk through the extensive grounds which were transformed by William Waldorf Astor at the turn of the 20th century, to take in the views of the white, seasonal flowers.

Head gardener Neil Miller says: “We have planted some exciting varieties in the last few years including Galanthus Athenae - one of the earliest to flower, usually by the end of November, Galanthus Magnet, Galanthus Viridapice and Galanthus Picatus Warham.”

The castle recommends that you wear suitable footwear such as Wellington boots or walking boots as the ground may be boggy in places.

More at Hever Castle

Visitors might also like to take the peaceful one hour Hever Lake Walk which takes the visitor around the perimeter of the 38 acre lake. 

The Winter Garden opposite Half Moon Lawn has been rejuvenated in recent years with specialist snowdrop bulbs planted among the winter flowering shrubs such as Daphne and Viburnum, Dogwood and orange Witch Hazel.

Neil Miller’s team has also planted around 500 bulbs of early flowering daffodil Narcissus ‘Rijnveld’s Early Sensation in the Anne Boleyn’s Orchard and Castle borders, which flower from November to February. Unlike the small early flowering varieties, this daffodil has larger windmill-style flowers and can reach 35cm in height.

For more information, visit www.hevercastle.co.uk.