Where to find the best displays of Spring flowers in Shropshire.
What better way to shrug off Winter’s gloom and celebrate the arrival of Spring than to search out the displays of vibrant Spring flowers awakening across the county this month. Shropshire, with its picturesque landscapes and charming countryside, plays host to a plethora of colour in its many quaint gardens and parklands.
Powis Castle & Garden
Situated an hour’s drive from St Milburga Chapel near Welshpool, is Powis Castle and Garden. Owned by the National Trust, this historic estate has fabulous, terraced gardens known for their displays of flowers, including daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths. The Italianate terraces also offer panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
Attingham Park
Another National Trust property known for it’s gardens is Attingham Park. Attingham’s walled garden and a two-acre orchard come to life in early Spring when their collection of over 300 fruit trees begin to blossom. Carpets of bluebells cover the floor of Attingham’s ancient woodlands from late April onwards and attract visitors from far around.
Dudmaston Estate
Dudmaston Estate near Bridgnorth is renowned for its extensive wooded parklands and sweeping, terraced gardens with views towards the Clee Hills. Much of the woodland was planted in the early 20th century and comes alive with bluebells in the Spring especially in the picturesque Dingle. The parklands are huge and can be explored on foot or by bike. There are many trails through the woods of varying lengths to suit all abilities.
Wollerton Old Hall Garden
Wollerton Old Hall Garden near Market Drayton is a formal, modern garden situated in the grounds of a 16th century Hall (not open to the public). Set over 4 acres, the garden was developed as a collection of separate gardens each with their own identity. In the Springtime, the gardens are known for their herbaceous borders that burst into life with anemones, erythroniums, hellebores, aquilegias, oriental poppies and tulips. The gardens are re-open from Easter Good Friday 2024.
Hodnet Hall Gardens
Hodnet Hall Gardens near Market Drayton span over 60 acres. This historic estate, dating back to the 19th century, features an array of formal and informal gardens that burst into life in Spring with delicate blossoms adorning the trees and drifts of daffodils, tulips, and bluebells. Camellias and early-flowering rhododendrums can be seen from March onwards, while April brings swathes of daffodils and azaleas. Hodnet is also known for its Magnolia trees whose beautiful blossoms are best seen in Spring before they drop their delicate petals.
Dorothy Clive Garden
The Dorothy Clive Garden is a hidden gem tucked away in the rolling hills of North Shropshire. Run by a charitable trust it was set up “as a place of rest and continued horticultural education” and has a number of notable collections of rhodododendrons, camellias, hydrangeas and azaleas. Visitors can wander along winding paths, meander through the woodland glades, and relax by tranquil ponds whilst admiring the Spring blooms.
Wildegoose Garden
Finally, if you fancy taking some Spring colour home with you pay a visit to the Wildegoose Garden and Nursery near Craven Arms. Open from the Easter bank holiday weekend, Wildegoose is a horticultural haven with a beautifully restored historic walled garden and family-run plant nursery. The gardens themselves offer a tranquil retreat, featuring winding pathways and picturesque borders bursting with seasonal colour.
Whether you’re a seasoned horticulturalist or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of nature, Shropshire’s spring flower displays offer a feast for the senses. So why not spend a weekend in a lovely Shropshire holiday cottage and take a leisurely stroll through one of the county’s many gardens, breathe in the fragrant scents, and immerse yourself in the beauty of spring?