Browse through our blog posts to find out what life is like at Hoe Grange Holidays along with some great ideas for days out in the Peak District.
Snowdrops – the first signs of Spring
February 9, 2021Archives
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Snowdrops - the first signs of Spring
What better way to disperse the gloom of winter than discover one of nature’s brightest wonders?
Pull on your coat and hat, grab your gloves and go for a local walk to see if you can find some snowdrops, peeking through the snow.
Despite the cold, frosty weather, these hardy yet delicate flowers can be found thriving in woods, ditches and orchards everywhere. Flowering between January and March their brilliant white petals and green leaves are a welcome sight, signalling the growth of new life.
Hopton Hall Gardens
Usually at this time of year we point guests in the direction of Hopton Hall, near Carsington, which has one of the finest displays of snowdrops and aconites. Sadly this year due to Lockdown 3 the gardens are not open to the public, but they are still worth a mention. Dream instead of visiting in Summer when the roses will be in full bloom!
The house has its origins in the 16th century when it was built by Thomas Gell as a two-storey, three-bay manor house. It was extended and remodelled by Philip Gell in the late 18th century.
The estate of some 3,700 acres was split up in the 20th century, much of which was sold to a water authority to create Carsington Water.
Since 1995 the current owners have loving restored the gardens to their former glory. The delicate drifts of snowdrops along the woodland walk are interspersed with colourful aconites, hellebores and primroses.

After much dedicated hard work, there is now a laburnum tunnel, a small arboretum and pinetum, two small ponds and a wildlife lake.
The more formal rose garden is a delight on a summer’s day, with its unusual crinkle crankle wall on which the beech hedge at Chatsworth was modelled. The box hedges frame the formal flower beds awash with colour and the delicate fragrance of over 2000 roses!
6 Fascinating facts about snowdrops
- There are 75 different species and varieties of Snowdrops. They are all white. Snowdrops are one of only a few flowers to have just one colour.
- As in the language of flowers Snowdrops are a symbol of purity and hope. White is the colour associated with this trait.
- Snowdrop plants looks like three drops of milk hanging from a stem. This accounts for their formal name Galanthus, taken from Greek, which means milk-white flowers.
- Did you know that bumble bees do not fly unless temperatures are above 10 degrees centigrade? Cleverly the Snowdrop has adapted so its outer petals will only open wide when the temperature rises above 10 degrees, thus protecting its nectar for the buzzing bees!
- Snowdrops contain a natural anti freeze, enabling them to recover should temperatures drop drastically. They are one of the first bulbs to flower.
- Snowdrops are used in medicine, a substance called Galamantine is extracted from snowdrops and used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
Walk or cycle to Hopton
Getting to Hopton Hall by bike is a great way to make a full day of your visit. Just 4 miles along the High Peak Trail to the bottom of Hopton incline, then a short (steep) lane down to the hall. But fear not...try our electric bikes and that steep hill on the way home becomes no obstacle at all. See more on our electric bike blog post
The gardens are well worth a visit, be it for the snowdrops in winter or the stunning, colourful rose garden in summer. Best of all the homemade cakes are absolutely delicious!
Felicity








