Spectacular Snowdrops at Acorn Bank

Snowdrops next to the Crowdundle Beck in the woodland at Acorn Bank | © National Trust/Andrew Butler

After a long winter, drifts of lovely snowdrops are always a sight for sore eyes. These dainty flowers transform the woodland here throughout February, making a carpet of white above Crowdundle Beck – a sure sign that spring is on its way.

Discover a secret spectacle in the woodlands

As we're usually closed at this time of year, the spectacular snowdrop displays in the woodland are often only seen by the team. Here's your chance to visit whilst they're at their most brilliant; we'll be open each weekend in February and into March.

A winter wander

Wrap up warm and take a winter wander through swathes of snowdrops that carpet the woodland beside Crowdundle Beck. Then head back up to the gardens for a tranquil stroll, and relax afterwards with a coffee or cake from our new cafe and a browse in the second-hand bookshop, where you'll find special vintage book sales during February. Each weekend will also include a programme of family fun, talks and crafts. There’ll be talks on red squirrels (23 February & 9 March), block printing, windowsill salad seed sowing and den building. Plus, on 15 February, there’s the chance to join a nature connection walk or a meditation session with Wild Soul.

On 1 & 2 February and 15 & 16 February, try your hand at windowsill salad seed sowing - sow a tray of salad seeds, take it home to watch the magic happen and enjoy eating the salad leaves a few weeks later. On 8 & 9 February and 22 & 23 February, block printing is a chance to take home printed artwork of the nature that surrounds Acorn Bank. There’s willow weaving on 1 & 2 March; weave a willow crown or a willow magic wand. On selected weekends, build your own den from natural woodland materials and set a trail for your family and friends to follow through the beautiful woodland.

Visitors can also borrow a free nature toolkit from the Shepherd’s Hut on arrival. Toolkits include a variety of spotter sheets, magnifying glasses, binoculars, magnifying glasses, tape measures, clickers, blackboards and coloured chalks.

What's on during Snowdrop Weekends

Windowsill salad seed sowing: 1 & 2 February and 15 & 16 February, 11am-12pm & 2-3pm. Meet outside the Dovecote and learn to sow a tray of salad seeds. Then take it home to watch the magic happen!
Self-led den building and trail setting: every weekend in February, 11am-3pm. Find the materials you need to build your own den from natural woodland materials and set a trail for your family and friends to follow. The Visitor Welcome team will point you in the right direction once you arrive.
Block printing: 8 & 9 February and 22 & 23 February, 11am-3pm. Here's a chance to take home printed artwork of the nature that surrounds Acorn Bank - join our volunteers in the Dovecote.
Nature Connection Walk with Wild Soul: 15 February, 1:30-2:30pm. Book now.
Meditation and Relaxation with Wild Soul: 15 February, 3-4pm. Book now.
Red Squirrel Talk with Rachel Smith: 23 February and 9 March, 2-3pm. Book now.