Get out in the garden and spot the first signs of spring at Snowdrop Festival

Snowdrops at the Nuttery, Newnham. ENGNNL00120130218105716

Among the gardens opening for the festival is Old Church Cottage, in Chapel Lane, Long Marston – a small garden around a 400-year-old thatched cottage next to a disused churchyard.

Visitors can hope to see many species and varieties of snowdrops, together with cyclamen, crocuses, irises and other early spring bulbs.

The garden is at the end of a very narrow country lane so visitors are requested to park at the village hall.

Old Church Cottage garden will be open on Saturday and Sunday, February 27 and 28, from 11.30am to 3pm.

Admission is £5 including mulled wine and muffins. Children free.

Chief executive of The National Gardens Scheme, George Plumptre, said: “With not very much to do outside at this time of year, a visit to a Snowdrop Festival garden is the perfect way to get some fresh air and really start looking forward to spring.”

See www.ngs.org.uk