Essex


<p>It’s that time again. Get your layers on, grab your phone and head out to these Essex snowdrop walks to catch a glimpse (and Insta-worthy snap) of them while you can.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="747" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/Snowdrops-3-1000x747.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-11108" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/Snowdrops-3-1000x747.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/Snowdrops-3-800x598.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/Snowdrops-3-768x574.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/Snowdrops-3-703x525.jpg 703w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/Snowdrops-3.jpg 1004w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hanningfield-reservoir-billericay"><a href="https://www.essexwt.org.uk/nature-reserves/hanningfield" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hanningfield Reservoir</a>, Billericay</h2>



<p>First on our Essex snowdrop walks, Hanningfield Reservoir is part of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.essexwt.org.uk/nature-reserves/hanningfield" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Essex Wildlife Trust</a>. A working reservoir and nature reserve, it stretches out across 870 acres of mature woodlands and wild meadows, making it the ideal spot to get lost in for the day. Tread the foot trails through ancient oaks and stop at one of the bird huts to watch the swallows and swifts dip between the snowdrops.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="http://www.visiteppingforest.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Epping Forest</a>, Epping</h2>



<p>Spanning more than 8,000 acres, this green oasis fringing Essex and London is paradise when the snowdrops are out. Try one of the nine waymarked trails on offer, all of which are circular and fully signposted. From the Gifford path (1.2 miles) to the more challenging Oak trail (6.6 miles), there’s something for every level. Our pick? The picturesque Rowan route, which often offers up a sprinkling of snowdrops if you time it right.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="662" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/Snowdrops-1-1024x678-1-1000x662.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-11109" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/Snowdrops-1-1024x678-1-1000x662.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/Snowdrops-1-1024x678-1-800x530.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/Snowdrops-1-1024x678-1-768x509.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/Snowdrops-1-1024x678-1-793x525.jpg 793w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/Snowdrops-1-1024x678-1.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.thorntonhallcountrypark.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Thornton Country Park</a>, Brentwood</h2>



<p>Thorndon Country Park and its nearby cousin Weald Country Park both offer up acres of green space for leisurely picnics and family walks come spring. However, be sure to visit now and you might just spot a white carpet of winter snowdrops, too. Keep an eye on their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Thorndonsouth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Facebook page</a> as they&#8217;ll be sure to take a snap of them so you know to time it right.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.dedhamvalestourvalley.org/visiting/visitor-information/visitor-guides/stour-valley-path/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stour Valley</a>, Dedham</h2>



<p>Taking in Flatford Mill,&nbsp;Manningtree’s&nbsp;Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty&nbsp;and the ribbons of green made famous by John Constable’s 18th century paintings, this 1.8-mile route from Manningtree station ends in the chocolate-box village of Dedham. Why am I telling you this? If it&#8217;s on our Essex snowdrop walks list I think you might get the picture.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="668" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/Unknown-1.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-11110" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/Unknown-1.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/Unknown-1-800x534.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/Unknown-1-768x513.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/Unknown-1-786x525.jpeg 786w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rhs-hyde-hall-chelmsford"><a aria-label="RHS Hyde Hall (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/hyde-hall" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RHS Hyde Hall</a>, Chelmsford</h2>



<p>Another on our Essex snowdrop walks list has got to be Hyde Hall – there were 15,000 of them planted in its 1.3-acre winter garden back in 2017. Spot them in large drifts on the rolling slopes then head to the hilltop café-cum-restaurant for a warm cuppa and slab of cake. There’s also a brilliant wooded play area for the kids and an epic garden centre shop for the ‘rents.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-markshall-estate-coggeshall"><a href="https://www.markshall.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Markshall Estate (opens in a new tab)">Markshall Estate</a>, Coggeshall</h2>



<p>Hot off the snowdrop walk press! This Muddy editor has just been informed by a Markshall insider that the best time to see snowdrops in their ‘full glory’ is in Feb! So, cancel your plans and hot foot it down to one of the estate’s popular <a href="https://www.markshall.org.uk/whatsonevent/snowdrop-weekends-3/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Snowdrop Weekends</a>. They&#8217;re only on <strong>18-20 Feb</strong>, so get booking! Oh, and did we mention that there’s not one, but three different varieties of snowdrop on display? Happy hunting!</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="686" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/snowdrops.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-11111" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/snowdrops.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/snowdrops-800x549.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/snowdrops-768x527.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/snowdrops-765x525.jpeg 765w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hedingham-castle-halstead"><a href="https://www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Hedingham Castle (opens in a new tab)">Hedingham Castle</a>, Halstead</h2>



<p>How about some nature with a side of Norman history? Hedingham Castle’s <a href="https://www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk/events/snowdrop-walks-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Snowdrop Walks</a> also include entry to the fab fort, making it a great day out for all the family. Pop into the Keep Café for a hearty bowl of soup or brave the chill and picnic alfresco. I&#8217;ll be inside. With my soup.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-daws-hall-braintree"><a href="https://www.dawshallnature.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Daws Hall (opens in a new tab)">Daws Hall</a>, Braintree</h2>



<p>This stunning, 25-acre nature reserve on the Essex/Suffolk border rarely fails to disappoint on the snowdrop front. Book tickets for one of the <a href="https://www.dawshallnature.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Snowdrop Sundays</a> (running 28 Jan and 4, 11 and 18 Feb) to hunt down the blooms in the hilltop woodland. There’s also a treasure hunt and nature table to keep the kids entertained. The bad news? Dogs aren’t allowed, so you’ll have to leave the hound at home.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gibberd-garden-harlow"><a href="https://www.thegibberdgarden.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Gibberd Garden (opens in a new tab)">Gibberd Garden</a>, Harlow</h2>



<p>Boasting beautiful lawns, streams, sculptures and glades, this Grade II listed garden is a delight to visit, but its <a href="https://www.thegibberdgarden.co.uk/all-events/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Snowdrop and Hellebores Days</a> are especially, well, special. On from <strong>11-25 Feb</strong> on selected days, pop into the Barn Tearoom afterwards to refuel. Good to know: entry for under 5s is free. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/0668066001660657133.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-11112" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/0668066001660657133.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/0668066001660657133-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/0668066001660657133-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/02/0668066001660657133-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beth-chatto-gardens-elmstead"><a href="https://www.bethchatto.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Beth Chatto Gardens (opens in a new tab)">Beth Chatto Gardens</a>, Elmstead</h2>



<p>For another guaranteed sighting, head to the award-winning Beth Chatto Gardens. Best known for its lauded gravel plantings, it also puts on a seriously stunning snowdrop show from Jan to April. Blooming brilliant.</p>


Snowdrops are out! 10 Essex snowdrop walks

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