Every year snowdrop lovers head off for north Nottinghamshire and Hodsock Priory. They go there to wander amongst and enjoy the 82 varieties of snowdrops in this historic estate’s winter gardens and woodland walks. Complementing the delicate heralds of spring are winter flowering plants including hellebores, aconites, cyclamen, irises, fragrant sarcococca and witch hazel.
Competing with the snowdrops for attention this year are also some special events.
The Snowdrop Queen
Visitors from Friday 16 – Sunday 18 February can experience a magical family-friendly show ‘The Snowdrop Queen’ taking place in Horsepasture Wood.
A group of performers will lead the audience through the woodland paths accompanied by storytelling, live music and spectacular aerial acrobatics in the trees.
Daytime performances of the Whispering Wood Folk’s newly commissioned show are included within the standard Snowdrops admission.
Whilst on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 February there will be special ticketed ‘Fire and Light’ shows at 5pm. Guests are invited to make their own lanterns from 3pm and join a torch-lit parade from the heated Marquee Tearoom before the show starts.
The Fair Maids of February pottery
Meanwhile from Friday 23 – Sunday 25 February heritage art pottery Moorcroft will share ‘Spring through the eyes of the Applied Arts’ with visitors.
As well as a free daily 10am lecture about their new snowdrop collection ‘The Fair Maids of February’, there’ll be displays of Moorcroft designs and artist demonstrations in the Pavilion.
To help raise money towards the restoration of Blyth Church, where Hodsock’s ancestors have been baptised, married and buried for 400 years on sale will be the newly launched ‘Hodsock Priory’ vase.
Visitors are advised to dress warmly with sturdy footwear and bring cameras. The woodland walk is suitable for all abilities with regular resting places and the footpaths throughout the woodland and the gardens, from the Tudor gatehouse to the Victorian beehives, are passable in most weather conditions with wheelchairs and buggies.
Warm up with hot drinks and bacon butties by the campfire in the Glade, or tuck into homemade cake and a local produce lunch in the heated marquee tea room. Next door Floral Media will be running the renowned plants and gift sale along with hand crafted goods.
Hodsock Priory’s snowdrop walks and winter gardens will open daily from Saturday 10 February to Sunday 4 March 2018. Prices: £5 for adults, £4.50 for groups of 10+; £1 for children over six. Infants and wheelchair users go free. Special day passes and admission tickets are available online at www.snowdrops.co.uk.
For more information email info@hodsockpriory.com, or call 01909 591204.