Where to See Snowdrops in Bury St Edmunds and Beyond

Nowton Park is known for its carpet of daffodils during the spring, but first come the snowdrops!

With almost 200 acres of landscaped Suffolk countryside there is something for everyone at Nowton Park.

Nature lovers can visit the unique arboretum which is home to trees from around the world such as eucalyptus from Australia, paperbark maple from China and Kentucky coffee trees from North America. A panda was carved in 1998 and placed in the China region along with some bamboo to add to the vision of this geographical area. The Nowton Park totem pole stands 35.4 feet (10.8m) tall near the centre of the North American region of the arboretum. It is carved from a western red cedar which is the species traditionally favoured by Native Americans for their totem poles.

The lime avenue is one of the finest examples in the UK and was planted around 1880 to give the estate a sense of grandeur. In spring over 100,000 daffodils bloom beneath the trees.

The park is also home to a large play area, football pitches, a picnic area, cafe and visitor centre.

Fullers Mill Garden run Snowdrop Open Days in February.

With Snowdrop experts on hand to answer your questions, home grown plants are available to purchase and hot drinks and delicious cakes will be for sale in the Bothy Tearoom.

For details of Snowdrop Days visit the Fullers Mill Garden website.

You can see carpets of snowdrops along Geraldine's Walk at National Trust Ickworth.

Traditionally flowering between January and March, snowdrops are one of the first signs of life in Ickworth's gardens after winter. But did you know there are a variety of snowdrop species at Ickworth which flower at different times of the year? This means you can see snowdrops between October and April.

A little known fact from National Trust Ickworth's team. Did you know that snowdrops were harvested during the first world war for their antifreeze properties? It was used in military vehicles as a de-icer for window screens.

There are two main snowdrop varieties that you can see at Ickworth Estate. Galanthus nivalis is the most common of all the snowdrops, flowering from January and growing to around 7 - 15cm tall. Galanthus elwesii is larger than the nivalis and flowering slightly later, these snowdrops originate from Turkey and grow to around 20 - 25cm tall.

Ickworth is a Georgian Italianate palace in an idyllic English landscape. You can't miss Ickworth's impressive Rotunda - a magnificent showcase commissioned by the 4th Earl of Bristol to house his priceless treasures collected on tours around Europe in the 18th-century. The parklands and gardens are beautiful and you can easily spend a whole day here walking, cycling, and exploring!

Find out more about snowdrops at the National Trust Ickworth website.

Snowdrop days at Kentwell Hall in Long Melford take place in February.

Kentwell Hall is Suffolk’s hidden gem and one of England’s finest Tudor houses that stands within the most extensive moat in the county and nearly 30 acres of formal gardens and grounds.

The Shrubbery and Back Wood are carpeted with Snowdrops and pockets of yellow aconites but there's also spring bulb walks, family trails and a chance to enjoy their lovely tearoom.

Find out more at Kentwell Hall's website.

You can find snowdrops near to the riverbank near the Abbey Gardens in Bury St Edmunds.

A wander along the riverbank when visiting the Abbey Gardens is a must. The beautiful River Lark runs along the eastern side of the Abbey Gardens and provides a picturesque walk whatever the season. The Abbey historically used the river as a power supply and trading route.

You can also find snowdrops at The Great Churchyard between St Edmundsbury Cathedral and The Norman Tower and St Mary's Church.