The delicate little white flower signifies the coming of spring! They can easily be found anywhere in the county – on grass verges, climbing up river banks and deep in woodland – but for an extra special sight, see the list below…
Please tread carefully!
It is also possible to follow the snowdrops as they flower on an interactive map courtesy of the Woodland Trust.
NORTH AND EAST DORSET
Shaftesbury
200,000 snowdrops fill the town and an annual festival occurs to celebrate them.
Nearby walks: Melbury Abbas, Guy’s Marsh, Compton Abbas Airfield, Win Green and Duncliffe.
Six million snowdrops grow in the grounds of this historic National Trust country house – open daily from 9.30am–4pm. Free for National Trust Members.
Nearby walks: Kingston Lacy and Badbury Rings, Pamphill, Sturminster Marshall and Stanbridge.
The Old Vicarage, East Orchard
A private 1.7 acre wildlife garden with hundreds of different snowdrops with a stream leading down to a pond. Is occasionally open to the public as part of the National Garden Scheme. Adult: £5.00 and children free.
Nearby Walks: Hinton St Mary, Stour Row, Guy’s Marsh, West Orchard and Child Okeford.
The environmental trust is home to hundreds of snowdrops within the lake filled garden. Open for the week especially for the snowdrops. Dogs allowed on leads and the gardens are wheelchair friendly.
Nearby Walks: Fontmell Down, Compton Abbas Airfield, Iwerne Minster and West Orchard.
Witchampton
The River Allen runs along the eastern edge of the village where the lanes and small woodland coppices are filled with snowdrops.
Nearby Walks: Tarrant Monkton, Moor Crichel, Chalbury, Wimborne and Badbury Rings.
Pamphill
The woods are more famous for their Bluebells but the snowdrops like to claim the verges first!
Nearby Walks: Pamphill, Wimborne, Lady Wimborne Bridge, Corfe Mullen and Sturminster Marshall
THE ISLE OF PURBECK
Tyneham Village
Snowdrops fill the churchyard of the lost village now in the ownership of the army. Check firing times for opening.
Nearby Walks: Flowers Barrow, Bindon Hill and Lulworth Estate
Corfe Castle
Surrounding the base of the castle, throughout the village and along the little river Corfe, the fragile flowers have made their annual home.
Nearby Walks: Knowle Hill, Corfe, Rempstone, The Blue Pool and Langton Matravers
CENTRAL DORSET
Compton Valence
The village is famous for its snowdrops, lining the little country lane and surrounding the small hamlet.
Nearby Walks: Wynford Eagle, Toller Fratrum, Maiden Newton, Compton Valence & Frampton and West Compton.
Affpuddle
Sitting on the banks of the River Piddle the little valley village is filled with snowdrops.
Nearby Walks: Athelhampton, Weatherby Castle, Bere Regis, Lawrence of Arabia and Woodsford Castle.
Winterborne Came
Snowdrops fill the low flat valley of the river Winterborne, along the edges of large country estates and the verges of the small country lanes.
Nearby Walks: West Stafford, Winfrith, Bincombe, Maiden Castle.
Minterne Gardens in Minterne Magna
The impressive gardens, filled with lakes, streams and waterfalls, was designed by Capability Brown. In the early spring the snowdrops carpet the floor. Open every day from 1st Feb, from 10am–6pm with special Snowdrop Sundays.
Nearby Walks: Up Cerne, Lyon’s Gate, Dogbury Hillfort, Minterne and Cerne Abbas.
WEST DORSET
Mapperton House near Beaminster
Hidden in the estate is a maze of woodland paths full of the snowdrops of spring. Refreshments available at The Coach House Cafe.
Nearby Walks: Netherbury, Buckham Down, Hooke, North Poorton and Waytown.
The gardens, fountains and lakes which surround the abbey, are filled with many snowdrops.
Nearby Walks: Forde Abbey, Laymore, Thorncombe and Pilsdon Pen.
Happy Island, Bridport
This hidden riverside walk is annually decorated with snowdrops.
Nearby Walks: Loders, Shipton Gorge, West Bay and Colmer’s Hill.