Somerset – a special county for gardens and gardeners
Somerset is an exceptional place for gardens thanks to its mild climate and fertile soils. Here, we experience milder winters and generally avoid the harshest winter frosts, allowing a wide range of plants to flourish. There’s a great soil diversity, ranging from rich loam to lime-rich areas near the Mendips, providing versatile conditions for many different plant varieties.
The county has a rich horticultural legacy; it’s the historic home of the quintessential English cottage garden, pioneered by Margery Fish at East Lambrook Manor, and the iconic garden and planting designs by the legendary Gertrude Jekyll at Hestercombe House and Gardens.
Somerset’s Finest Snowdrop Gardens
No doubt all of the above is why James Allen was so successful; living in Shepton Mallet, he bred over 100 cultivars of snowdrops in the latter part of the C19th which rightly earned him the title of Snowdrop King by his galanthophile peers.
It’s almost certainly why Somerset is blessed with some of the finest Snowdrop Gardens. We’ve drawn together these beautiful gardens into a trail for everyone to visit and enjoy. There’s a great diversity here, from historic gardens such as The Bishops Palace in Wells, Forde Abbey, near Chard and Hestercombe House and Gardens near Taunton, to the remarkable variety of snowdrops at East Lambrook Manor Gardens, and the natural wooded valley of snowdrops near Exmoor.
Stay, to enjoy the gardens and the Festival
If you’re planning a visit why not stay? Enjoy the beautiful and varied landscape of Somerset and take your time to visit the gardens. The list we’ve drawn together below is by no means exhaustive but take a look. Whether you want to self-cater, be looked after in a cosy pub with rooms and restaurant, or opt for something more natural and closer to nature, there’s something here to suit all tastes.
Explore
We’ve put together just a few ideas of other things to do whilst you’re here in Somerset. Click on the link below for ideas about other winter visits and activities you can enjoy whilst you’re here.