In our woodlands, forest, gardens and riverbanks, nature is once again rolling out the white carpet of delicate white flowers. Enjoy this prelude to spring with a lovely local snowdrop walk at one of these Hampshire and Isle of Wight hotspots.

HAMPSHIRE

The Vyne, Basingstoke

The National Trust’s very own Tudor mansion is prime hunting ground for the white blooms. Spot them from just outside the carpark to the walled garden and into Morgaston Wood. 

Mottisfont, Romsey

Another National Trust beauty, Mottisfont just outside of Romsey comprises of a historical priory, garden and country estate. There are also hidden brooks and plenty of hiding places for snowdrops to spring from. Located near the River Test, it’s well known for its gardens. Time it right and you’ll find plenty of snowdrops running along its pretty river walk.

Chawton House, Alton

As well as being a spot that champions top female writers and, of course, is synonymous with Jane Austen, Chawton also boasts a rather spectacular planting of snowdrops. Visit the gardens in February to take in the wonderful white blossoms on the South Lawn, with special events on Snowdrop Sundays (2, 9 & 16 Feb 2025).

Bramdean House, Bramdean, nr. Alresford

This pretty five-acre walled garden is known for its carpet of snowdrops and spring flowers. Part of the National Open Garden Scheme, book ahead to check out the pretty white flowers on its open day on Sunday 9 Feb 2025.

Harold Hillier Gardens, Romsey

Harold Hillier Gardens has over 20 different varieties of snowdrops. With one of the largest Winter Gardens in Europe, it’s well worth a visit. Covering around four acres, the Winter Gardens are planted with a pleasing palette of bark, bold-coloured stems, scent and foliage. 

Gilbert White’s House, Selborne

Home of the famed naturalist, it makes sense that flowers would be a big part of Gilbert White’s appeal. Visit on Wed 12 February 2025 for tours of Baker’s Hill and the orchards around the areas of snowdrops, as well as historic features of Gilbert White’s 18th century landscape garden. This year, the famed Snowdrop Weekend is on 15-16 February, with tours and half price admission.

Warnford Park Snowdrop Saturdays, Warnford, Meon Valley

A secret garden spot on a private estate usually not open to the public, book ahead and wander around Warnford Park’s beautiful snowdrops on four Saturday afternoons this February (1, 8, 15 and 22 Feb 2025, 2pm – 5pm). The walk here goes past The Church of Our Lady, Warnford, into a 13th century ruin, through a wood, along a path beside the Grade I-listed house and out onto a Capability Brown-designed lake.

Little Court, Crawley, near Winchester

A gorgeous garden in the small village of Crawley, just a few miles from Winchester, find beautiful snowdrop displays at this National Garden Scheme venue (open 16-17 Feb and 23-24 Feb 2025), with homemade teas on offer in the village hall afterwards. If you feel like a longer walk, head on a loop past Crawley village pond and Barton Ashes airstrip.

ISLE OF WIGHT

Alverstone, near Sandown

With so much of the Wight being unspoilt, it’s often quite easy to spot little clusters of snowdrops dotted around. Follow the trail around Alverstone to find the blooms and also keep your eyes open for the native Red Squirrels who are active, even at this time of year.

Newchurch Churchyard, Newchurch

A small parish between between Sandown and Newport on the popular Newport-Sandown cycleway, the village of Newchurch is named after its historic All Saints church, built in 1087 by Norman monks. Behind it, a carpet of snowdrops surround the graves in the expansive churchyard making a pretty stop off or Sunday stroll.