Visiting a snowdrop garden is always a guaranteed way to lift your spirits as these tiny white and green flowers start to appear in the dark days of winter. The added bonus is the chance to spend a little time outdoors in the fresh air of the Essex countryside.
While there are a number of gardens around Essex where the public can go and enjoy these displays, the National Garden Scheme specifically has five gardens which open for the charity at this time of year, as part of the NGS Snowdrop Festival. The festival helps contribute to the £3million that is raised every year around the country for nursing and caring charities. Some of these gardens have some specific open days in the next few weeks but at others you can visit as part of their open By Arrangement scheme, when you can book, in advance, either a private or a group visit. So here is a taste of what to expect in Essex this month.
DRAGONS
Dragons is a three-quarter-acre private garden in Boyton Cross near Chelmsford (Sat Nav CM1 4LS) that is gardened with a passion. This passion includes snowdrops and at the opening on Wednesday, February 12 (from midday until 3pm) visitors will be able to experience the beauty of a carefully designed winter garden which features hellebores as well as an impressively wide range of snowdrop cultivars including the giant snowdrops. Many, some quite rare, are available to buy on the day. If that date doesn’t suit and you can gather a group of at least 10 people, you can contact the owner on mandmdragons@ tiscali.co.uk to arrange a private visit from February to October.
BETH CHATTO’S PLANTS & GARDENS
Denne historien er fra February 2020-utgaven av Essex Life.
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Denne historien er fra February 2020-utgaven av Essex Life.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
The rise of maskne
With the term ‘maskne’ becoming an increasingly common search online and on social media, Krystal Prince explains what it is and how you can control mask-induced acne
The forgotten lady
Charlotte Christie shares the life story of Anne Knight, an Essex pioneer for the abolition of slavery and women’s suffrage who’s achievements have almost been air-brushed from history
Stride out in the Sampfords
This charming, circular winter walk takes you on a tour from the village of Great Sampford to its neighbour, Little Sampford, and back again
MUCH TO TALK ABOUT
As a presenter on Sky Music and the host of two TV talk shows of her own on Gidea Park-based Sky channel Spotlight TV, Hayley Palmer is never short of words. Nicky Adams asks her how she came to be in front of the camera
LIFE and SOUL
Radio 1 broadcaster and producer Charlie Hedges began her career as Britain’s youngest breakfast show host and is now one of the world’s most successful female DJs. Denise Marshall caught up with the Essex-based queen of the air waves
Lest we forget
Remembrance Sunday will have a special poignance this month as 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. Stephen Roberts profiles how much the county of Essex contributed to the war effort and how much it cost
Lakeside Magic
The Lake House, nestled in Mill End on the outskirts of the village of Bradwell on Sea, has been owned by the same family for 60 years and was once a thriving four-buoy water-ski lake.
Keep on running
BBC presenter and director David Whiteley shares his insightful view on stories from across the county of Essex
Cheers!
Starting to get that festive vibe? Why not plan ahead by selecting not only the drinks you want to serve this Christmas, but also ticking off a few presents too?
A doggy day out on… Saffron Walden
Join Ernie, the county’s most famous Westie, as he steps back in time on a trip to this medieval market town
