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Colesbourne Park is the country's most important snowdrop garden — the Elwes family collection, built up since Henry John Elwes brought back Galanthus elwesii from Turkey in the 1870s, now runs to over 350 named varieties. The gardens open Saturday and Sunday only through the annual bloom, expected to run from Saturday 30 January to Sunday 28 February 2027 (five weekends; specific dates confirmed by Colesbourne closer to the season).
Gates open at 11am with last entry at 4pm. The two-hour meander loops through the arboretum, along the lake and down to the Church of St James — where the graveyard becomes a snowdrop carpet in a good year. Guided walks with head gardener Chris Horsfall on selected weekends (bookable separately).
Café in the estate courtyard for hot soup and cakes. Wheelchair access along the main paths only. Dogs on leads are welcome; the ground can be muddy after wet weather.