Route: Hodsock Priory
Area: Nottinghamshire
Date of walk: 25th February 2018
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 2.0 miles
Weather: Sunny
Hodsock Priory is a historic country house well known for its displays of snowdrops in early spring. It was a beautiful Sunday morning and in order to avoid the inevitable crowds we arrived at opening time, 10am. We made a beeline for Horsepasture Wood, a 12 acre area of ancient woodland, where a series of trails took us through the huge drifts of snowdrops – a wonderful sight
We then walked over to the gardens, created by the Mellish family in the mid 19th century. In 1989 a major programme of restoration and improvement began, and the results are there for all to see. The 5 acre site is full of beauty and, at this time of year, there is an amazing display of snowdrops, hellebore, cyclamen and much more besides
It was a wonderful visit, full of interest, and I’m sure we’ll be back another day
I’ve not included the usual route map as this is a place to wander around as your fancy takes you
Click on the icon below for a location map
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
The day before the walk, snowdrops in our garden, which prompted our visit to Hodstock Priory, a place we'd heard of but hadn't visited before
As we walk to the entrance, we pass by Horsepasture Wood, home to countless thousands of snowdrops
We follow the main path through the wood, and will return via narrower paths to the side
A magnificent oak tree, bearing testament to the age of the wood
Snowdrops...
At the end of the wood we cross a bridge and follow a path back along its edge
More snowdrops....
We leave the woodland and walk over to the garden area
Hodsock Priory
Hellebore
Cyclamen
Yet more snowdrops
Willow tree by the stream
Views of the Priory across the small lake...
We followed a stream round to the side of the house...
View across the lawn to the lake
The gatehouse as we make our way to the exit
The end of a superb garden visit
Back home, naturalised Crocus Tommasinianus ('Tommies'), which we planted in our lawn about 20 years ago, and which have increased year after year
