They're coming out! Wrap up warm and head outside to one of these lovely local places to catch winter snowdrops across Bucks & Oxon over the next few weeks.

Shorts and sandals at the ready, spring is here. Er, okay maybe not, but the snowdrops are! If you’ve thawed out enough to venture outside and see them, here are the best snowdrop hotspots in our ‘hood. If you know a secret spot, please let us know in the comments below.

Hughenden Manor, High Wycombe

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*.

Stowe Gardens, nr Buckingham

And there we were thinking Stowe gardens couldn’t get any more picturesque. Stowe loves its snowdrops, or should I say Stowedrops (their pun, not mine!), 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.

Swyncombe Downs, South Oxon

A lesser known hotspot in our ‘hood, snowdrops and bright yellow aconites usually spring up around St. Botolph church’s 1000 year old grounds in Feb and early Mar. If you fancy a walk, you can head on to the ridgeway and across Swyncombe Estate.

Waddesdon Manor, nr Aylesbury

Waddesdon’s gorgeous gardens are the jewel of the National Trust and look amazing all year round, but I especially love snowdrop season here – my favourite spot to see them is the knoll just around from the Aviary. The same ground is smothered in daffodils come March so make the most of the white stuff while it lasts.

Badbury Hill, nr Faringdon

Better known for it’s bluebells in late April, Badbury Hill also has a decent snowdrop offering scattered amongst the beech trees.

Evenley Wood, nr Bicester, from 1 Feb

On the Oxon/Northants border, you’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.

Cliveden, Bucks 

Cliveden’s snowdrop scene had an upgrade back in 2017 when former head gardener and Amersham based charity TalkBack planted over 36,000 seeds on the grounds. Head to the Long Garden and Blenheim Pavilion for the best carpet of white.

Basildon Park, nr Goring-on-Thames

A great spot if you fancy a stroll with your annual snowdrops. Basildon, on 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.

Waterperry Gardens , Oxon

It’s snowdrops in abundance over at Waterperry Gardens, a half hour drive east of central Oxford, with over 60 varieties of the white bloomer springing up across the site’s eight acres. (Adults £8.50, children aged 16 and under free).

Kingston Bagpuize House, nr Abingdon

This impressive country gaff in the Vale of White Horse was used as a filming location for Downton Abbey so has beautiful British gardens nailed. Snowdrops pop up across the formal gardens, terrace walk, woodland garden and surrounding parks.

Worcester College, University of Oxford

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).

Thenford Arboretum, nr Banbury

This privately owned arboretum is home to over 5000 trees and shrubs including an impressive display of snowdrops weaved amongst the sculpture gardens, water gardens and medieval fish ponds. The gardens are only open to the public for a few dates each year with snowdrop season prime time to have a wander around for a few hours. Open days are on 9, 19 & 22 Feb (tickets £12).

Find more Muddy-approved walks here.