Celebrate spring by strolling among the spectacular snowdrops in the magnificent grounds of Rode Hall, Cheshire.

This year, the grounds will be open to visitors from 2nd February until March 10th 2013. Plus, for the very first time, visitors are able to book their early-bird tickets online by visiting http://www.rodehall.co.uk/visitor-information 

Tickets cost £5 adult & £4 concessions with a complimentary pot of snowdrops to collect for each ticket holder.

Rode Hall has been the family home of the Wilbraham family since 1669.

A fine Georgian country house with magnificent Humphry Repton landscaped gardens, there is much to delight the eye from the minute one enters the sweeping long front drive either by foot or car.

Since it opened to the public in 2002, thousands of visitors have enjoyed the annual ‘Snowdrop Walks’ that are approximately a mile-long when the garden is perhaps at its most spectacular.

The borders of the formal gardens are cheered by drifts of dancing white heads but it is perhaps the cascading swathes of snowdrops in the Old Wood that truly is a sight to behold.

With more than fifty varieties of snowdrops to view, Rode’s collection is one of the largest in the UK.

Rare varieties include; the giant Comet named after Kohoutek’s Comet seen first over the Russian sky in 1973, the unusual Viridapicis with the green marks on the outer petals rather than the inside, the yellow Cheshire snowdrop, Lady Elphinstone, and Merlin which has all green inner segments and favourites like S. Arnott and Milkwood.

The snowdrops were first brought to Rode by Sibella Egerton from her home in Gresford on the Welsh Borders when she married Randle Wilbraham in 1833.

Since then the snowdrops have multiplied and every part of the garden is clothed in stunning drifts of the original Galanthus nivalis, the well loved common Snowdrop. They are accompanied by colourful and sweet scented Daphnes, Cyclamen and Hellebores.

Said Sir Richard Baker Wilbraham owner of Rode Hall; “The snowdrop walks are attracting more and more visitors every year.

"Many are repeat visitors who choose to make it their annual pilgrimage such is their fondness for Rode, the snowdrops and what we have to share here. It is wonderful to see everyone from young children and their families right through to couples and groups from all over the country choosing to spend their leisure time with us and delighting in the snowdrops .”

Rode Hall’s garden is one of Cheshire’s Gardens of Distinction and Sam Youd, formerly Head Gardener at Tatton and Chair of Cheshire’s Gardens of Distinction initiative said: “Rode Hall and Gardens is a real gem that everyone should try and visit especially during the snowdrop season.”

A visit to the Hall’s Tea Rooms in the converted and atmospheric coach houses for a home-grown, home-made light lunch or cream tea treat will round off the visit and during half term week there will be children’s activities such as a woodland trail to keep everyone entertained.

Admission on the day: Adults: £4.00 Senior Citizens £3.00 Children over 4 £1 RHS/HHA Members Free

Dogs on a lead are welcome  

How to find Rode Hall: M6 - Junction 16 - Kidsgrove, Crewe /M6 - Junction 17 - Sandbach, Congleton is

Kidsgrove is the nearest railway station

Other Rode Hall and Gardens dates for your diary

• Farmers’ Market at Rode Hall. The first Saturday morning every month except January. 9.30am – 1.30pm. Free entrance. Over 70 highly popular stalls offering outstanding local produce including that from Rode Hall’s own kitchen garden.

• 5th – 24th February. Amateur local arts group exhibition and sale of paintings.

• 2nd Feb -10th March. The parish church of All Saints, Odd Rode, will serve teas and be decorated with snowdrops by candlelight.

Other Key times to Visit the gardens

SPRING: Brilliant for Bluebells in late April which then give way to a mass of Azaleas and Rhododendrons in early to mid May mingling with fragrant Lily-of-the-Valley.

SUMMER: Two acres of walled Kitchen Garden dating from circa 1800 designed with heated walls and green houses to feed a household of 24. Nurtured the old fashioned way, it is just as productive today, and any surplus is sold at the monthly Farmers Market including Guinness Book of Record (1992-2008) gooseberries the size of hen’s eggs!

• After Snowdrops, from Easter Monday, April 1st Rode Hall Gardens and Tea Rooms are open to the public Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and the first Saturday morning of every month during Farmers’ Markets and Bank Holidays Mondays.

• The Hall dates back to 1707, and is open for visitors on Wednesdays and Bank Holiday Mondays. It is home not just to the Wilbraham family, but also an important collection of fine English porcelain and Victorian Arts and Crafts pottery with a horticultural theme, as well as many portraits, water colours and pieces of famous Gillow furniture.