In the Cotswolds, we love our plants and gardens. By the time that February arrives it’s no exaggeration to say that there’s an air of real excitement about the coming of Spring. Whilst snowdrops aren’t a spring flower, their arrival definitely signposts the end of winter. It’s the beginning of an annual series of colourful arrivals that lead through February, March and April - snowdrops, aconites, crocuses (incidentally, it’s OK to say crocuses not croci!) and on to bluebells and wild garlic.

This, our February 2024 blog offers you hints and tips on what you can expect to see and where to look for winter and spring blooms.

Snowdrops

It all begins with snowdrops! Traditionally expected in February, there’s still time to get out to snowdrop hotspots such as Painswick Rococo Garden (open daily). The other famous snowdrop venue in the Cotswolds is Colesbourne Gardens which opens at weekends through to the 24th/25th February and continue into early March, if there are still displays to see (check the website for updates). You can also rely on a good snowdrop display at Batsford Arboretum (open daily) and smaller independent gardens such as Cerney House.

It is also true that some of the best snowdrop displays are for free, by the side of the road, in cottage gardens or in the woodlands as you walk in the Cotswolds. They seem to favour shaded areas and for some reason, are often seen in churchyards — possibly why there’s a local folk tradition that they should never be picked or brought into the house. Despite any Gothic associations we’ve always have a soft spot for this perfect little alpine flower. It’s always a joy to stumble across snowdrops unexpectedly and it’s always a landmark event to see the first one of the year. If you’re lucky to catch a drift of snowdrops in a slight breeze, you’ll see the bell-shaped flowers nodding in the wind, a charming sight.

In addition to the gardens above, you’ll also see snowdrops and spring flowers in and around Broadway’s village green, the National Trust properties at Snowshill Manor, Hidcote Manor Garden and Broadway Tower and Country Park. One well-kept secret is Upton Wold Garden, near Blockley which opens especially for snowdrop visits in February.

Winter aconites usually arrive around the same time, in February, bringing a splash of colour to woodland, with their beautifully delicate upward-facing yellow petals. In the Broadway area, you’ll see them at Batsford Arboretum, Cotswold Farm Park, at Hidcote Manor, around Sezincote House and at Sudeley Castle. Again, it’s also a great experience to simply head off on a woodland walk, you’re almost bound to eventually discover your own patch of aconites. The same is true for crocuses, which have recently been planted on some sections of the Cotswold Way in Worcestershire.

If snowdrops seem to say that winter is over, it’s really the daffodil that announces that spring is here. The tall classic single stem daffodils are usually followed by double headed narcissi and you’ll also see wild daffodils popping up in all sorts of places. Some new daffodil varieties start flowering as late as May, so the flower has a relatively long season.

All of the gardens mentioned already have daffodil displays. If you’re staying at the Broadway Hotel and want to explore somewhere a little different, you could leave the Cotswolds behind and head to Dymock for a daffodil walk.

From Dymock Woods various paths lead off through woodland which is famous for wild daffodils. Two way-marked trails (The Lake Walk and the Princess Trail) begin at Queen’s Wood Car Park. A named ‘Daffodil Trail’ starts at Shaw Common car park and leads you for 9 miles through Dymock Woods and Kempley Green - a thrilling wild daffodil experience. There’s also a much shorter route, also from Shaw Common.

From April onwards, you’ll also need to head to the woods to see bluebells, which like to flower before the tree canopy is too dense. The area around Broadway is dotted with good places to see magical drifts of blue colour.

After Snowdrops? On to the Bluebell Woods!

Dover’s Hill
Dover’s Hill is a local landmark on the edge of Chipping Campden, famous for the Cotswold Olimpicks, village games with a long pedigree. Head
down the hill from the natural arena to see bluebell woodland.

Bredon Coppice
The hillside near Bredon is crossed by dozens of walking trails and bridleways. Locals head to Conderton and take the path known locally as the ‘Yellow Brick Road’ up to Bredon Coppice for magnificent bluebell displays.

Kiftsgate Court Gardens
Kiftsgate, which is located near to the entrance to the National Trust Garden has a wonderful bluebell wood. The garden, designed by three generations of women, is a constant delight through the spring and is also famous for the Kiftsgate Rose in summer.

Tiddesley Wood
Tiddesley Wood, near Pershore is a busy place in bluebell season with visitors attracted by swathes of blue flowers in a nature reserve setting.

Look out for cowslips at this time of year too. They used to grow out of cowpats (hence the name) in the wild. They’re quite often are found in the same places as bluebells.

By the time that the bluebells are out, most of our much-loved Cotswold gardens are fully open for the season, with spring bed display at all the National Trust properties and independent gems such as Bourton House Garden. It’s a great time of year to plan a short break, made ever more special by the carefully tended villagers’ cottage gardens in Broadway.

Check our website for Spring Offers and you’ll find yourself in the perfect place for a few days amongst the joys of spring.

All information believed correct at time of writing. If making a journey to visit gardens, please check individual websites before travelling.

www.broadway-hotel.co.uk