Each February, the ancient landscape around Hedingham Castle is blanketed with magnificent drifts of snowdrops, making the winter gardens possibly the most romantic in the East of England.

Best of all, this beautiful sight represents nature’s first arm-stretching murmur after the long winter sleep, a sure sign that spring is just round the corner! New date added thanks to the weather - Sunday 5 March!

Planted with at least thirteen different varieties in the nineteenth century, snowdrops cover the steep slopes of the Castle’s motte and bailey and set off the remarkable trees and lakes in front of the adjacent Georgian Mansion House.

If you have not yet been to Hedingham Castle, Snowdrop Sundays are a perfect introduction to the packed calendar at this amazing piece of living history.

Go and explore the valley walk and the ornamental lake with the iconic 110 foot Norman keep appearing and vanishing through breaks in the trees above you, set amongst an astonishing display of flowers.

If you find yourself succumbing to the February cold, finish with a warming glass of mulled wine or other refreshments in the Café on the garrison floor of the keep. All in all a fantastic way to shake off those winter blues and leave the cabin fever behind for a few hours!

Hedingham Castle is open for Snowdrop Sundays on the 5th, 12th, 19th of February, and 5th March, from 11am - 4pm. Entry to the gardens and keep on these days is £8.50 for adults, £7.50 for over-65's, £6.00 for under-18's or free for under-5's.

Or take advantage of the Castle’s great-value family ticket, which is just £25 and will admit any car-load combination of people, as long as at least one child over 5 is present.

Visit the Castle website for all you need to know about their events, weddings, news and history or keep tabs on what’s coming up on the Trumpet Events Calendar.

*A blanket of snowdrops adorns the valley walk.