A world-famous collection... on your doorstep (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

A world-famous collection... on your doorstep

A FAMOUS collection of snowdrops can be viewed at Colesbourne Park next month.

The park's newly restored gardens will be open to the public for three weekends in February.

Visitors will be able to enjoy a display of daffodils, hellebores and the biggest snowdrop collection in the country, started in the 19th century by botanist Henry John Elwes - great-grandfather of the current owner.

There are 190 snowdrop species at Colesbourne Park spread around fifteen acres of arboretum, lakeside walks and gardens.

Rarer snowdrops have been planted near to the house, while the woodlands are a blanket of common species.

Visitors will be able to see a new yellow variety unique to the estate, and the first snowdrop ever collected by the botanist.

Henry, a naturalist and plant collector, brought back a Gallanthyus Elwesii from Smyrna, Turkey in 1874.

Colesbourne Park opened to the public seven years ago and visitor numbers have grown from 2,000 to 6,000.

Last year, owners Henry and Carolyn Elwes set about restoring the gardens with the help of expert Dr John Grimshaw.

Mr Elwes, who is Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, said: "We are trying to create a complete all-through-winter garden so we are doing more than just snowdrops."

They have already created a half acre woodland garden and will plant 60,000 bulbs in autumn.

A daffodil meadow will also be planted using wild varieties, and the lakeside is to be enlivened by thousands of fritillaries.

The gardens will be open at 1pm each day on February 6-8, 13-14 and 20-22.

Admission is £5. Children go free. Wheelchairs are not recommended. Dogs are welcome.

For more information visit www.snowdrop.org or www.colesbourne.org.uk