England: Snowdrop Gardens of the Cotswolds
6th Feb 2026
Key Highlights
- Colesbourne House, considered to be England’s greatest snowdrop garden
- Stunning Victorian walled garden at Cerney House
- Arts and Crafts style at Rodmarton Manor
- Snowdrops, snowdrops and more snowdrops
Summary
The Cotswolds are home to some of the best gardens for snowdrops in the British Isles, so this winter break will be of great appeal not just to ardent galanthophiles but to anyone who enjoys the uplifting sight that says spring is not too far away.
Colesbourne is considered to be the greatest snowdrop garden of them all and for many will be the highlight of the tour, but there are many other outstanding displays to be enjoyed. The extensive and historic grounds of Newark Park are carpeted with snowdrops, while at Cerney House there are swathes of Galanthus in every corner of this romantic garden. We visit the Museum in the Park in Stroud, where we can enjoy a fascinating collection of objects as well the snowdrops that fill the grounds, followed by the Painswick Rococo Garden, home to one of the country’s largest naturalistic plantings, including the tall, honey-scented Galanthus ‘Atkinsii’ variety. We conclude at the famous ‘Arts and Crafts’ house of Rodmarton Manor, where we find a staggering 150 different varieties of snowdrop that will round our tour off in style.
What's included
- Accommodation
- Services of a professional tour manager
- Comfortable coach travel throughout
- Meals as per the itinerary
- All visits as outlined in the itinerary
Meet your tour manager
Mary Moxham
Mary has been leading tours of Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds since 1997. She has undertaken promotional work for Gloucestershire Tourism and has appeared on Central News "Out and About" featuring Cheltenham. Formerly a college lecturer, she now enjoys communicating enthusiasm for these regions and beyond and has been one Brightwater’s leading tour managers for English gardens for a number of years.
Day by Day Itinerary
We depart from our designated pick-up points and head to Newark Park, a secluded country estate upon the Cotswolds escarpment. The ‘New Worke’ was built in 1550 by Nicholas Poyntz, previously an influential English courtier to Henry VIII. The house, garden and estate would grow and develop over 350 years, followed by a short but grave period of decline, to then be lovingly restored by a Texan architect in the 1970s and 80s. Carpets of snowdrops cover the gardens and estate at this time of year.
Meals includedDinner
Departure Routes
| Location | Pickup Time | Dropoff Time |
|---|---|---|
| London (Coach bays on Tothill St, Westminster) | 08:00 | 18:00 |
| Reading (Sainsbury’s Jcn 12, M4) | 09:15 | 16:45 |
| Swindon (Holiday Inn, Frankland Rd) | 10:30 | 15:30 |
| Bristol (Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, Redcliffe Way) | 12:00 | 14:00 |
** Please note that all timings are approximate and subject to change. Final timings and pick-up points will be confirmed with your joining instructions approximately 10 days prior to departure. **
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