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The Best Places to see Snowdrops in Sussex 2024

Snowdrops in Sussex. We tend to use our National Trust membership a lot in the winter months and into early Spring. Partly because we like getting out in the fresh air and also because I like spotting the first snowdrops of the year. I like being able to spot the first delicate flowers as they make an appearance. But as well as the National Trust properties there are lots of other gardens you can spot snowdrops in Sussex or even go on a snowdrop walk in Sussex. Many of the places mentioned below are gardens which means you do not have to go hunting around in the woods to find snowdrops walks. I really need to plant some snowdrop bulbs in my own garden.

The Best Places to see Snowdrops in Sussex

There are some delightful gardens to see carpets of snowdrops in Sussex at the right time of year. I have split them between those snowdrop walks in West Sussex and those in East Sussex. If there are some formal gardens where you can see the white flowers that I have missed let me know in the comments below.

Snowdrop Gardens in West Sussex

There are some beautiful snowdrop gardens in Sussex many of which fall into West Sussex:

Pembury House

Where – Ditchling Road, Clayton, Hassocks, West Sussex, BN6 9PH
Cost – £11 per ticket to be booked via the National Gardens Scheme. The price includes homemade teas.
More Information – These are exceptional private gardens that you can visit if you are looking to find snowdrops in Sussex. Has been featured on television and in the media. Winter walks are amazing at this time of the year, and the gardens are full of stunning flowers. The snowdrops are beautiful and the gardeners take real pride in them. They are opening every Thursday and Friday from the 8th of February to the 8th of March. There are two sessions 10.30 am to midday and 2 pm to 3.30 pm.
Find out more – Check out the website for more information.

Whitemans Close

Where – 5 Whitemans Close, Cuckfield, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 5DE
Cost – Adult £8 with children free. The admission price includes freshments.
More Information – This is one of those smaller and more private gardens that give you access on selected days to see the plants and flowers and you get a chance to see some incredible snowdrops here. A wide selection of different varieties of snowdrops, one of the finest snowdrop collection of about 150 plus varieties. Plus mature trees, hellebores, ferns shrubs and trees full of scent to add winter interest to this garden. The garden can be explored by paths and raised beds. Check the National Garden Scheme website for the selected February dates. Please note that this year’s dates are extremely offering only three dates compared to last year. These are the 2nd, 7th and 14th of February, 10.30 am to 4.30 pm, and you must also book your tickets in advance.
Find out more – Check out the website for more information.

Denmans Garden

Where – Denmans Lane, Fontwell, Westergate, Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 0SU
Cost – Admission costs £9 for an adult and £7 for a child. Tickets need to be pre-booked in advance and can be done via their website.
More Information – A beautiful award-winning grade II listed garden where the flower beds and grassed areas are carpeted with stunning snowdrops in February. Denmans Garden features dry riverbeds, gravel gardens, a walled garden, a conservatory, and unusual plants across the 4 acre garden. You can enjoy a nice snowdrop walk through the garden grounds and then get a nice warm drink in the cafe. There is also a plant centre. A lovely place to see snowdrops and one that may not be as busy as some of the other locations.
Find out more – Check out the website for more information.

Highdown Gardens

Where – Highdown Rise, Littlehampton Rd, Worthing, West Sussex, BN12 6FB
Cost – The Winter garden entrance is free. The expert snowdrops guided tours cost £12 per adult, and children under the age of 12 are free if accompanied by an adult. Limited to 15 adults per slot. Bookings can be made via the website.
More Information – A unique chalk garden where you can see some of the best sights of snowdrops gardens in Sussex. You can enjoy a nice winter walk around the grounds. Another option may not be as busy as some of the other suggestions. They also offer expert Snowdrops guided tours with Plant Heritage Curator, Alex New, and snowdrop expert, Simon Hollingworth. The special snowdrop walk in Sussex is available on Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th February 2024, with four slots throughout the day each running for an hour. Learn all about the common snowdrop on this garden visit.
Find out more – Check out the website for more information.

Manor of Dean

Where – Tillington, Petworth, West Sussex, GU28 9AP
Cost – Adults cost £5 and children are free, as part of the National Garden Scheme tickets can be booked online via the NGS website.
More Information – It might not be hugely popular and one that you may have to research ahead of time but this is a secret hidden gem that has some of the best sights of snowdrops in February. There used to be s snowdrop festival that took place every year but that has since stopped. Approx 3 acres of a traditional English garden with extensive views of the South Downs. Herbaceous borders, early spring bulbs, bluebell woodland walk, walled kitchen garden with fruit, vegetables and cut flowers. Open day are Sunday 18th February and 17th March. Homemade teas will also be available. Open 2 pm to 4 pm in February and to 5 pm in March.
Find out more – Check out the website for more information.

The Old Vicarage

Where – The Street, Washington, West Sussex, RH20 4AS
Cost – Adult £7 with children being free
More Information – A lovely garden in the pretty village of Washington. See the first signs of spring, beautiful flowerbeds and arrangements with lots of Spring bulbs. Throughout February you get to see some of the best sights of snowdrops with over 2000 having been planted. You can visit on Thursdays during the month of February and into March. Advanced booking is essential and as one of the National Garden Scheme Snowdrop Gardens can be done via the NGS website. There is also a Japanese Garden, a working Kitchen Garden and even a treehouse. The perfect woodland garden is open from 10.30 am to 4.30 pm.
Find out more – Check out the website for more information.

Nymans National Trust

Where – Handcross, near Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 6EB
Cost – Prices without gift aid cost £18, and £9 for a child with a family ticket costing £45.
More Information – The National Trust-owned Nymans remains one of the best spots to see drifts of snowdrops in Sussex during the season with the lawn carpeted from January to March. Most people recommend seeing snowdrops in late February, but you can enjoy them earlier or a little later if you want to beat the crowds. You may also be able to spot the less well-known snowflake plant as well. You get all of the usual perks of a National Trust making this a great day out. There is also a newish children’s exploratory area behind the second-hand bookshop and a wonderful rose garden in the Summer. Not to mention the informal gardens with fine views across the countryside. Onsite cafe to enjoy a cup of tea and lovely gift shop.
Find out more – Check out the National Trust website for more information.

Wakehurst

Where – Selsfield Rd, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 6TN
Cost – Adult tickets cost £16.50 and £8.25 for young adults (17-25) with children being free. Late entry from 3.30 pm will give you half-price entry. Free for National Trust members although you still need to pay for parking which is £10. Parking is included with garden tickets for other groups.
More Information – This is a lovely location to visit when looking for snowdrops in Sussex. You can enjoy a walk in 500 acres of woodland and wild landscapes to discover snowdrops as they decorate the forest floor around you. It is such a stunning sight and a self-guided snowdrop walk in Sussex. Visit each section of the gardens to discover a world completely different to the next. A great time to spend outside with the Winter Garden the perfect spot to see snowdrops this February. There is also a water garden to explore. You do need to book tickets to visit so check the website.
Find out more – Check out the website for more information.

West Dean Gardens

Where – West Dean, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0RX
Cost – Costs £7.50 an adult in February increasing to £12 per adult in the month’s March to October. The gardens are free for RHS members in January, February, October, November and December. Children under the age of 16 are free.
More Information – A lovely spot when it comes to seeing snowdrops and one that may not be as busy as some of the other places that are mentioned. Bulbs will be erupting across the lawns from early spring, the best time to enjoy the emerging displays on a long winter walk at this stunning Sussex location is during the month of February. But there is a lot more to see including an Edwardian Pergola, Walled Kitchen Garden, Sunken Garden, Rock Garden, Arboretum and Victorian Glasshouses. The restaurant for self-service light refreshments and gift shop are also open inside the Regency House.
Find out more – Check out the website for more information.

Petworth Park

Where – Petworth House and Park, Petworth, West Sussex, GU28 9LR
Cost – Free for National Trust members, adults cost £12, children £6 and a family ticket for £30. The car park is £4 but free for members.
More Information – The grounds of Petworth Park are a great place to see beautiful snowdrops this season. Make a day of it and enjoy everything winter has to offer, enjoying the sights of trees, stunning misty views and winter berries. It is such a beautiful spot and you can also grab a warm drink while you are there from the onsite cafe. This is a stunning National Trust location designed by Capability Brown. As well as the pleasure gardens you can visit the manor house on guided tours. Plus spot deer in the acres of parkland.
Find out more – Check out the National Trust website for more information.

Sandhill Farm House

Where – Owls Corner, Rogate, Petersfield GU31 5HU
Cost – Snowdrop day is the 11th of February and will cost £5 per adult with children free. Open from 12 pm to 4 pm. The garden will not be open again until April.
More Information – Home of author and principal of The English Gardening School. The garden itself is a relatively small cottage garden. Only a little over an acre but you will find swathes of snowdrops in the woodland area and stumpery.
Find out more – Check out the National Gardens Scheme website for more information.

Snowdrop Gardens in East Sussex

Looking for some beautiful snowdrop walks in Sussex?

Sheffield Park

Where – Sheffield Park, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 3QX
Cost – Free for National Trust members, adults cost £15, children £7.50 and a family ticket for £35. The car park is £4 but free for members.
More Information – If you are looking for a wonderful location to see snowdrops in Sussex then look no further than Sheffield Park. Another National Trust location, it may be famed for its autumn views, but it’s equally worth a visit in the colder months with snowdrops on show. During the month of February, you will be greeted with a carpet of snowdrops nestled around the grounds. Plus you get all the perks that you usually enjoy from National Trust. One not to miss. Sheffield park also offers photography workshops that must be booked in advance. But would allow you to capture some snowdrop pictures to take home with you. At various selected dates in March.
Find out more – Check out the National Trust website for more information.

Bates Green

Where – Bates Green Farm Tye Hill Road Arlington, Polegate East Sussex, BN26 6SH
Cost – Adult £7 and a child £3.50 for the garden, tickets must be booked online in advance due to limited parking being avaliable at the garden. You can do this via their website. If you would like a combined ticket with the woods then the price is £12 for an adult and £6 for children.
More Information – Beautiful gardens is the perfect place to see all of the wonderful snowdrops in bloom. Also when you purchase a ticket to see the garden you do get an opportunity to head into the 24-acre wood Beatons Wood which will also be full of drifts of delicate snowdrops. It is a wood usually open just for the bluebell walk but garden visitors can get access at other times of the year. A great opportunity to see the snowdrop trail. Open every Wednesday from the 28th of Febuary to the 23rd of October.
Find out more – Check out the website for more information.

Great Dixter Gardens

Where – Great Dixter, Northiam, East Sussex, TN35 6PH
Cost – The Snowdrop tour (Winter Interest Tour) costs £20 per person tickets need to be booked in advance via the website. They have two tours on the 24th of February and the 2nd of March. As well as two open weekends corresponding with these dates. Outside of this normal garden entry is from the 28th of March. Garden tickets cost £13.00 and children £4 and free for those ages 4 and under. If you also want to visit Great Dixter House tickets cost £14.50 and £4.50.
More Information – The Snowdrop tour will begin at 10 am and last for one hour and includes entrance to the country garden (from 11 am for our Winter open weekend). They have a wide variety of Snowdrops at Great Dixter and of course, plenty of Snowdrops for sale in their Nursery. The guide will share more about the subtle differences between these winter beauties, often unnoticed unless pointed out to you. There is a cafe within these notable gardens as well.
Find out more – Check out the website for more information.

Batemans National Trust

Where – Bateman’s Lane, Burwash, East Sussex, TN19 7DS
Cost – Free to National Trust members, £15 entrance for adults and £7.50 for children with £37.50 for a family ticket. Parking also costs £4 for non-members. Open weekends as well as during the week.
More information – The gardeners at Bateman’s have planted thousands of new snowdrop bulbs around the grounds. From the common snowdrops to unusual varieties and types of snowdrop families. There are also many other unusual Winter plants. From late January to early March, you will be able to take a wintry still through the gardens. Spotting drifts of elegant snowdrops.
Find out more – Check out the National Trust website for more information.

Are you planning on visiting any snowdrop walks in Sussex this year?