New garden trail marks 10th anniversary of Snowdrop Festival with sites across the county

A brand-new Somerset garden trail has been launched to mark the 10th anniversary of the Shepton Snowdrop Festival.

The Great Snowdrop Gardens Trail of Somerset will lead visitors to some of the county's finest snowdrop displays — from historic estates to hidden woodland valleys. The trail is a major new feature for this year's festival and aims to boost garden tourism in the region during February.

The move comes in response to growing demand from visitors keen to explore more snowdrop gardens while in Somerset for the annual festival. Tour organisers and individual visitors have frequently asked for guidance on where to see the best blooms.

Author Abigail Willis, who wrote Secret Gardens of Somerset, has backed the new trail. She said: "February is often such a bleak time of year, so thank goodness for galanthus! I hope visitors and residents alike will enjoy following the trail and be inspired to return as the seasons unfold."

Gardens taking part include:

– Yeo Valley Organic Garden, with over six acres of contemporary planting

– The Bishop's Palace, Wells, with a Snowdrop Walk along its moat and arboretum

– Hestercombe Gardens, home to 50,000 snowdrops in Rook Wood

– East Lambrook Manor, the iconic garden of Margery Fish, rich in rare varieties

– Forde Abbey, known for snowdrop drifts, topiary, and the UK's tallest fountain

– Dunster Castle, where snowdrops emerge in the subtropical riverside gardens

– Snowdrop Valley, near Wheddon Cross in Exmoor National Park, a natural carpet of thousands

The Festival continues to work with long-standing partners including Kilver Court, a sponsor and open garden for the event. Although not yet a snowdrop garden, Kilver Court offers a dramatic winter landscape beneath its railway viaduct.

Festival organisers say the trail is designed to encourage visitors to stay longer, explore more of Somerset, and experience the county's unique gardening heritage.

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• What's on: bikes, books and gladiators keeps January interesting in Shepton Mallet

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