Bucks &amp; Oxon

<p>For details re St Botolps Snowdrop Teas &#8211; visit <a href="http://www.st-botolphs-swyncombe.info/events/" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.st-botolphs-swyncombe.info/events/</a></p>


<p>They do exellent &#8220;Snowdrop teas&#8221; every year at St Botolphs Chuch in Swyncombe (which you mention above) on most weekends in February. Amazing church as well &#8211; great place to visit anyway, and the snowdrops make it really special</p>


<p>Snowdrop Sunday at Nether Winchendon House 9th Feb from 11am to 4pm. Hosted by Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity.</p>


<p>Child Bereavement UK is holding a Snowdrop Walk on Sunday 2nd Feb at West Wycombe House. A lovely day for a fantastic cause with a treasure hunt for children, tombola and the best cake stall! <a href="https://www.childbereavementuk.org/Event/snowdrop-walk-buckinghamshire" rel="nofollow ugc">https://www.childbereavementuk.org/Event/snowdrop-walk-buckinghamshire</a></p>


<p>Some great ideas for places to go. I can’t wait to explore some of these. X</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/01/Snowdrops-at-Waterperry.jpg" alt="snowdrops field " class="wp-image-82906" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/01/Snowdrops-at-Waterperry.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/01/Snowdrops-at-Waterperry-150x113.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/01/Snowdrops-at-Waterperry-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/01/Snowdrops-at-Waterperry-667x500.jpg 667w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Who doesn&#8217;t get a spring in their step at the first sight of a snowdrop? And here in Bucks and Oxon we&#8217;re lucky to have some seriously spectacular shows of the plucky little blooms. Here are my favourite places to see them, but if we&#8217;ve missed off your favourite (an embarrassing omission), hit us up with your recommendations in the comments box below.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-letcombe-nature-reserve-amp-church-nr-wantage"><a href="https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/letcombe-valley">Letcombe Nature Reserve</a> &amp; church, nr Wantage</h2>



<p>Thanks to a Muddy reader for putting me onto this snowdrop haven in Letcombe Regis – just keep it between you and me ok? The nature reserve, home to kingfishers and little egret, is a great spot for a bit of pond dipping but there&#8217;s also a carpet of snowdrops around St Andrew&#8217;s Church, largely thanks to bell ringer, Anne Williams, known locally as the snowdrop queen. Check out these <a href="https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/environment-and-planning/countryside/walks-and-rides/vale-white-horse-walks/wantage" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">three walks of differing lengths</a> in the area, then pop into Muddy favourite <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/review-greyhound-letcombe-regis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Greyhound Inn</a>, for elevated pub food in unpretentious surroundings. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hughenden-manor-high-wycombe"><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hughenden" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><b>Hughenden Manor</b></a><b>, </b>High Wycombe </h2>



<p>You’ll get more than just snowdrops over at Hughenden, two miles north of High Wycombe. By early spring the huge 680 acres is carpeted in all sorts of seasonal foliage; scilla siberica, daphne mezereum and bergenia cordifolia, adding bright pinks and purples to the grounds *gets camera ready*. This <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/hughenden/boundary-walk-at-hughenden" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">boundary walk</a> is perfect for a brief, chilly saunter. Refuel afterwards in the pretty courtyard café, which does a good line in soups, sausage rolls and jackets, with the all important NT homemade cake to follow.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stowe-gardens-nr-buckingham"><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stowe" target="_blank"><b>Stowe Gardens</b></a><b>, </b>nr Buckingham </h2>



<p>And there we were thinking Stowe gardens couldn&#8217;t get any more picturesque. Stowe loves its snowdrops, or should I say&nbsp;<i>Stowedrops </i>(their pun, not mine!),&nbsp;with the vast landscape gardens usually carpeted until the end of Feb. Hit up the Elysian Fields, Sleeping Wood and Lamport Garden to see the best of them and try this <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/stowe-gardens/parkland-walk-at-stowe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">short circular walk</a> to blow off some steam. If you get there early, the café&#8217;s breakfast baps are legendary, or if it&#8217;s an afternoon visit, go for the homemade cakes, baked on site daily.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/01/snowdrops01-e1392796282365-1.jpg" alt="snowdrops close up" class="wp-image-83658" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/01/snowdrops01-e1392796282365-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/01/snowdrops01-e1392796282365-1-150x113.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/01/snowdrops01-e1392796282365-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/01/snowdrops01-e1392796282365-1-667x500.jpg 667w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-swyncombe-downs-south-oxon"><b><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.chilternsaonb.org/ccbmaps/584/137/swyncombe-down.html" target="_blank">Swyncombe Downs</a>, </b>South Oxon</h2>



<p>A lesser known hotspot in our locale, snowdrops and bright yellow aconites usually spring up around St. Botolph church’s 1,000 year old grounds in Feb and early Mar. If you fancy a walk, you can <a href="https://chilternsociety.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Swyncombe_Snowdrop_Walk.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">head on to the Ridgeway</a> and across Swyncombe Estate or opt for this <a href="https://babyroutes.co.uk/walking-routes/oxfordshire-chiltern-baby-walks/swyncombe-snowdrops-walk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shorter hour-long circuit</a> around the estate, and look out for the<a href="https://www.st-botolphs-swyncombe.info/events/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> snowdrop teas</a> at the church on Feb weekends with a smorgasbord of homemade cakes and hot drinks served 2pm-4pm.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-waddesdon-manor-nr-aylesbury"><strong><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://waddesdon.org.uk" target="_blank">Waddesdon Manor</a>, </strong>nr Aylesbury </h2>



<p>Waddesdon&#8217;s gorgeous gardens are the jewel of the National Trust and look amazing all year round, but I especially love snowdrop season here &#8211; my favourite spot to see them is the&nbsp;knoll just around from the Aviary.&nbsp;The same ground is smothered in daffodils&nbsp;come March&nbsp;so make the most of the white stuff while it lasts. <a href="https://waddesdon.org.uk/your-visit/garden-walks-maps/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">This page</a> links to a variety of walks around the gardens and beyond, then it&#8217;s time to refuel at the stable yard café at Waddesdon. It&#8217;s fab for a light lunch or you can go for the full 2 AA Rosette affair at <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/five-arrows-waddesdon-manor/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Five Arrows</a>, a hotel and restaurant at the gates of Waddesdon. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-badbury-hill-nr-faringdon"><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/badbury" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Badbury Hill (opens in a new tab)">Badbury Hill</a>, nr Faringdon </h2>



<p>Better known for its bluebells in late April, Badbury Hill also has a decent snowdrop offering scattered amongst the beech trees which can be explored on this <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/badbury/badbury-short-woodland-walk-pink-route" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">short woodland walk</a>. Head to nearby Faringdon afterwards for a slap-up meal at Muddy fave, <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/restaurants/review-the-old-crown-coaching-inn-faringdon-oxfordshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Old Crown Coaching Inn</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evenley-wood-nr-bicester"><a aria-label="Evenley Wood (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.evenleywoodgarden.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Evenley Wood</a>, nr Bicester</h2>



<p>On the Oxon/Northants border, you&#8217;ll find this picturesque 60-acre private woodland flush with over 80 varieties of snowdrops, including the Evenley Double, a special snowdrop which was developed and propagated on site. Take <a href="https://www.evenleywoodgarden.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2021-map.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">this map</a> with you to plot a walk around the estate then hit the <a href="https://www.evenleywoodgarden.co.uk/cafe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Evenly Wood café,</a> Uncle Geordie&#8217;s Shed. It is a really cute affair with superb homemade food and cakes.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="665" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/01/Welford-Park.jpeg" alt="snowdrops wood" class="wp-image-83731" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/01/Welford-Park.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/01/Welford-Park-150x100.jpeg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/01/Welford-Park-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/01/Welford-Park-720x479.jpeg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cliveden-bucks-nbsp"><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden" target="_blank"><b>Cliveden</b></a><b>, Bucks&nbsp;</b></h2>



<p>Cliveden’s snowdrop scene had an upgrade back in 2017 when former head gardener and Amersham based charity&nbsp;<a href="http://www.talkback-uk.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">TalkBack</a>&nbsp;planted over 36,000 of them in the grounds. Head to&nbsp;the Long Garden and Blenheim Pavilion for the best carpet of white and if you&#8217;re keen to work up a hunger, <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/cliveden/cliveden-gold-walking-trail" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">this circular walk</a> along the river and back through the woods should do it. It&#8217;s on to Cliveden House afterwards but you&#8217;ll need your glad rags for a meal at the <a href="https://www.clivedenhouse.co.uk/dine-with-us/the-cliveden-dining-room/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cliveden Dining Room</a> or something slightly less formal but equally snazzy for the more relaxed bistro, <a href="https://www.clivedenhouse.co.uk/dine-with-us/the-astor-grill/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Astor Grill</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-basildon-park-lower-basildon-berks"><strong><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/basildon-park" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Basildon Park</a></strong>, Lower Basildon, Berks</h2>



<p>A great spot if you fancy a stroll with your annual snowdrops. Basildon, a smidge over the Berks border, has loads of different routes around its 400-acre parkland and gardens including the green walk through the woodland, or the longer three mile orange route around the estate’s boundary. There&#8217;s a tea room for hot lunches and afternoon tea or the takeaway Toolshed Kiosk for coffee and snacks on the go.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-waterperry-gardens-nbsp-oxon"><a href="https://www.waterperrygardens.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)"><strong>Waterperry Gardens&nbsp;</strong></a><strong>, Oxon</strong></h2>



<p>It&#8217;s snowdrops in abundance over at Waterperry Gardens, a 30 MIN drive east of central Oxford, with over 60 varieties of the white bloomer springing up across the site&#8217;s eight acres. <a href="https://www.waterperrygardens.co.uk/riverside-walk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">This walk</a> takes in the snowdrops and aconites as you amble through the riverside woodland. There&#8217;s also a great café and farm shop on site as well as a gorgeous garden centre if you&#8217;re feeling really inspired.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kingston-bagpuize-house-nr-abingdon"><a href="https://www.kbhevents.uk/"><strong>Kingston Bagpuize House</strong></a><strong>, nr Abingdon</strong></h2>



<p>This impressive country gaff in the Vale of White Horse was used as a filming location for <em>Downton Abbey</em> so has beautiful British gardens nailed. Snowdrops pop up across the formal gardens, terrace walk, woodland garden and surrounding parks. It&#8217;s open 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28 Feb, with a snowdrop and plant sale on the 25 Feb. If you want a longer ramble, don your boots and try the <a href="https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/hitchcopse-pit" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hitchcopse Pit</a> or <a href="https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/dry-sandford-pit" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dry Sandford</a> nature reserves nearby. <a href="https://www.whitehart-fyfield.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The White Hart at Fyfield</a> is a fab pub for a slap-up lunch or dinner after a day in the fresh Feb air.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="948" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/achim-ruhnau-xIGQcvz3f_0-unsplash-948x1000.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-141758" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/achim-ruhnau-xIGQcvz3f_0-unsplash-948x1000.jpg 948w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/achim-ruhnau-xIGQcvz3f_0-unsplash-758x800.jpg 758w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/achim-ruhnau-xIGQcvz3f_0-unsplash-379x400.jpg 379w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/achim-ruhnau-xIGQcvz3f_0-unsplash-498x525.jpg 498w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/achim-ruhnau-xIGQcvz3f_0-unsplash.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 948px) 100vw, 948px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-worcester-college-university-of-oxford"><a href="http://www.worc.ox.ac.uk/visiting/location-and-opening-times"><strong>Worcester College</strong></a><strong>, University of Oxford</strong></h2>



<p>It’s unusual to get such an impressive display of snowdrops in a city centre, which is why Worcester College is such a gem. The flowers have been growing here for hundreds of years with Worcester’s records revealing that six bunches were bought for 1 shilling and sixpence back in 1863 (spoiler: there are a lot more than that now). While you&#8217;re in Oxford, make a walk of it and check out the gorgeous snowdrop displays at <a href="https://www.seh.ox.ac.uk/discover/explore-teddy-hall/visiting-the-college" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Edmund Hall</a> college. They carpet the graveyard around the church, now the college library, and you&#8217;ll also be able to get a sneak peak of the front quad, one of the prettiest in Oxford with its medieval well and rowing results chalked up on the brick walls. It&#8217;s lesser known than the big hitters like Christ Church so a little off the beaten track. Hit up <a href="https://www.quod.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Quod</a> brasserie for good food and bar nibbles, or <a href="https://www.thegrandcafe.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Grand Cafe</a> for drinks and afternoon tea, which really does live up to its name. Really into snowdrops? On 15 Feb, 10.30am-12pm there&#8217;s a <a href="https://www.obga.ox.ac.uk/event/snowdrops-and-spring-bulbs-tour" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">snowdrop and bulb walk</a> at the Oxford Botanic Garden. Book now to nab your spot.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="http://www.cotswoldfarmgardens.org.uk/gardens" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cotswold Farm</a>, nr Cirencester</h2>



<p>Just over the Glos border, this pretty Arts &amp; Crafts garden is well known for its winter interest including its winter step garden, evergreen knot garden and bog garden (trust me on this one!) with streams and waterfalls. The snowdrops pop up in borders and along the woodland paths from around now and include 80 varieties, many of them named in case you want to make a note of them for your own garden. Open days this year are 5, 12, 19 and 26 Feb, 11am-3pm and 17-18 Feb under the National Garden Scheme, 11am-3pm. There will be homemade soup and a roll, tea, coffee and cake/biscuits on offer and if you want a longer walk try the <a href="https://www.rrgordon.com/LittleCotswoldWalks-4FromeValley.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">second one of these walks</a>, which starts near the gardens.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.welfordpark.co.uk/about-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Welford Park</a>, nr Newbury</h2>



<p>This gorgeous family home in the Lambourn Valley in West Berkshire was once a hunting lodge of Henry VIII and is now known for its woodlands, rivers, rose garden, walled gardens and at this time of year, for its fabulous snowdrops. It&#8217;s open Wed-Sun, from 31 Jan-3 Mar, 11am-4pm. Grab tickets ahead of your visit to avoid missing out. The main route around the woods talks around 30 mins to walk but there are plenty of paths off it to explore a little further and to get those snaps for the insta grid. Hop over to our <a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/eat-out/restaurants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Berkshire site</a> to check out where to eat in the Newbury area if you fancy a post snowdrop lunch or afternoon tea.</p>



<p><em><strong>Need to blow away the cobwebs? Find more <em><strong>Muddy-approved walks</strong></em> <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/things-to-do/walks-near-me/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.</strong></em></p>


Snowdrops incoming! 14 lovely local walks with nearby pitstops

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