Colesbourne Park

Distance: n/a wander around the grounds at your leisure!

Time: 2 hours

Difficulty: easy

Parking: Free parking in the grounds at GL53 9NP. A one-way system operates into the estate, just follow the signage from the main road.

Refreshments: Hot drinks and cakes available on open weekends. Otherwise head 5 minutes down the road to to The Green Dragon Inn at Cockleford for roaring fires, hearty food and excellent beer. The Green Dragon is also home to a fantastically stocked farm shop, full of local produce, wines and homeware.

Other info: Only open select weekends of the year. Check the website for the most up to date information on visiting https://www.colesbournegardens.org.uk/snowdrop-open-days/. An entry fee of £10 is payable at the gate.

Colesbourne Park has previously been described as ‘England’s greatest snowdrop garden’ and we think it should be firmly at the top of a Cotswolds must see list if you’re ever in the area during the snowdrop season (February). As a private estate, Colesbourne Park only opens to the public for limited days each year, usually during late January to February for snowdrop season and for a few weekends in autumn when the arboretum is looking at its best.

You can wander around over 10 acres of private landscaped gardens and enjoy over 300 varieties of snowdrop on display. There are also a wide array of early flowering shrubs – always a sure sign that Spring is on the way! Beyond the snowdrops, you’ll come across possibly the bluest lake we’ve ever seen in the UK. The lake was created in 1922 in a deep wooded valley to install one of the first private hydroelectric dams in the country. The spectacular blue colour is believed to be caused by microscopic particles of colloidal clay in the water which reflect blue light. It’s a stunning photo opportunity with the contrast of the snowdrops against backdrop of the blue water.

The Gardens also include an arboretum of rare trees privately collected over the past 120 years; dogs will love joining you to stroll around the estate further with woodland walks, streams and quirky bridges amongst our favourite spots to seek out.

Dogs on leads are most welcome to join you on a stroll in all areas around the estate before a well-earned cup of tea. We love that each weekend a different charity is invited to provide the hot drinks and cakes in order to raise much needed funds for both local and national causes.

Thanks for reading, 

Cara, Andy, Poppy & Maple x