London's Going Snowdrop Crazy This Month - Here's Where To See Them

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London's Going Snowdrop Crazy This Month - Here's Where To See Them
A young girl sniffing snowdrops in the ground
The snowdrops are about to drop. Image: Shutterstock

Snowdrops tend to be the first flowers to bloom in England every year — according to the Woodland Trust, 26 January is the average date of the first snowdrop flowering. If you're desperate to see something bloom against the bleak winter backdrop, here's where you can get in on the snowdrop action in London.

Snowdrops at Kew Gardens

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This famous botanical garden is the obvious place to get your snowdrop fix — almost all of the 20 known varieties can be seen here, and Kew researchers discovered a new species as recently as 2019. You'll find most of Kew's snowdrop collection in the Rock Garden, and neighbouring Davies Alpine House in the north-east corner of the gardens.

Snowdrop sale at Myddelton House Gardens

Two snowdrop plants growing out of the ground.
Image: Csaba Talaber via Unsplash

Myddelton House Gardens in Enfield has a reputation for its snowdrops, which usually start emerging in mid-January. Head to the Alpine Meadow area to marvel at a carpet of snowdrops and crocuses, swiftly followed by daffodils as the temperature rises. The garden was designed by renowned botanist Edward Augustus Bowles, who lived in Myddelton House from 1865 to 1954.

And if you want to recreate the snowdrop experience in your own garden, visit Myddelton House on 27 January, when several nurseries gather for a snowdrop sale, selling common and rare varieties of the plant. In previous years, they've sold out pretty sharpish, so we'd recommend getting there early.

Myddelton House Gardens, snowdrop sale on 27 January 2024.

Snowdrops at Chelsea Physic Garden

A field full on snowdrop plants.
Photo: Phil Hearing via Unsplash

Chelsea Physic Garden reopens after its winter break on 21 January 2024, when it's hoped the extensive display of snowdrops will be ready for viewing.

There's a snowdrops tour led by a senior member of the gardening team on 24 January. Various snowdrop varieties are usually available to buy in the garden's shop if you fancy recreating the experience at home.

Chelsea Physic Garden, from 21 January 2024.

Willing to travel further afield for your snowdrops? National Trust has a guide to snowdrops at its properties across the south-east, including Cliveden in Buckinghamshire and Bateman's in East Sussex.

Last Updated 26 January 2024

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