A million blooms for February half term in Brodsworth Hall's gardens
Saturday 11 - Sunday 19 February 2012
A carpet of white will await visitors to Brodsworth Hall & Garden this February half term, as the fruits of several years’ back-breaking planting of snowdrop bulbs finally take the number of flowers over one million – at just the right time!
For the last few years, the great British weather has played havoc with the snowdrops which English Heritage has hoped would be in full bloom for the February half term holidays (11-19 February), when the site is open every day. However, this year’s conditions have been ideal, with the best displays expected for a two week period around the half term break.
“This is a landmark for us, not only because of the perfect timing, but also because the natural splitting of the bulbs should easily tip us over the million snowdrop flower mark,” says head gardener, Dan Booth. “When you add the white snowdrops to the stunning yellow winter aconites, the gardens are going to look fantastic – it will be a real treat for everyone who comes along.”
The gardens – and tea room - are open every weekend throughout the winter, from 10.00am to 4.00pm, with the site open daily from 11 – 19 February. Admission – including access to the servants’ wing of the Hall itself, is £5.50 for adults, £5.00 for concessions and £3.30 for children, or free for English Heritage members.
The Servant’s Wing gives visitors an insight into the Victorian kitchen as well as the more modern scullery, which is just as it was when it was handed over to English Heritage, complete with cookbooks, Tupperware and Family Circle biscuit tins! Take a peek at the servants’ bedrooms, too, to get a taste of life ‘below stairs’ in this once-great country house.
The snowdrops mark the start of Brodsworth’s flowering season, but signs are good that this will be another sensational year for the restored Victorian gardens. The daffodils, which will follow the snowdrops in early Spring, are developing well, and the first bluebell shoots, which normally bloom around May, are starting to poke through the soil.
Brodsworth Hall is located just off the A1(M) (junction 37). For more details, please call 01302 722598 or visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/brodsworth
ENDS
For further media information, please contact:
Jay Commins – PRO English Heritage (Yorkshire)
Tel: 0113 251 5698
Mob: 07810 546567
Email: jay@fim.org.uk
