London’s most popular Snowdrop Sale returns to Myddelton House Gardens

Event: The Ultimate Snowdrop Sale

Date: Saturday 25 January 2025

Time: 10:30 – 12:00 (Gates open at 07:30, Tea Room open 08:30 – 16:30)

Price: £5 per person

Address: Myddelton House Gardens, Bulls Cross, Enfield, EN2 9HG

The highlight of every gardening enthusiast and Galanthophile’s calendar is fast approaching - The Ultimate Snowdrop Sale at the award winning Myddelton House Gardens in Enfield, north London.

A firm fixture in the diary of many horticulturists, this annual event attracts hundreds of green-fingered gardening enthusiasts and collectors from far and wide, in anticipation of seeing and purchasing a range of beautiful, and in some cases, very rare varieties of Galanthus bulb.

Snowdrops, heralded as one of the earliest harbingers of spring, are delicate, bell-shaped winter flowers that bloom as early as January or February, defying the prevailing weather conditions. With a range of varieties, varying in height, flower size, shape, colouring, petal markings and price, there’s something for every garden and budget. Prices at The Ultimate Snowdrop Sale will start from around £5 and the rarest variants could fetch hundreds or even thousands of pounds.

Julia Bigham, Head Gardiner at Myddelton House Gardens said, “We look forward to welcoming visitors from across the country and further afield to our Ultimate Snowdrop Sale this January. Whether you're a seasoned collector or a newcomer, you’ll be captivated by the beauty of these flowers as you explore the extensive range on sale and find the perfect addition to your garden. We hope visitors also take the opportunity to explore the wider gardens at this magical time of year.” 

As well as browsing and purchasing a variety of snowdrops, visitors will be able to explore the Green Flag award winning gardens and see carpets of snowdrops spread out across the eight-acre site in the borders, beds and meadows.

Additionally, a visit to The Bowles Tea Room is highly recommended, with doors opening at 08:30, here you’ll find a range of hot beverages, bacon rolls and delectable lunchtime treats.

Myddelton House Gardens, the lifelong residence of Edward Augustus Bowles, a renowned self-taught gardener and avid snowdrop collector, boasts a rich history. Bowles coined the term 'galanthophile' to describe a snowdrop enthusiast. To honour him, a rare snowdrop discovered at the gardens was aptly named Galanthus plicatus ‘E A Bowles.’

Myddelton House Gardens is accessible by train, bus or car, parking charges apply. Admission to the event is £5 per person.

For further details about Myddelton House Gardens, please visit Myddelton House Gardens | Lee Valley Regional Park

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For more information, images and interviews contact:

Jackie Tolland

Senior Communications Officer

07785 303 718

JTolland@leevalleypark.org.uk

Notes to Editors

London’s largest green space, Lee Valley Regional Park stretches 26 miles along the River Lee from Ware in Hertfordshire to East India Dock Basin on the Thames and offers a range of great activities, days out and attractions from cycling and white water sports to ice skating, horse riding, hockey, tennis and camping, alongside award winning nature reserves, green spaces, heritage sites and riverside trails, attracting around eight million visits a year.

• Nestled in the heart of Enfield and spanning eight acres, the award winning Myddelton House Gardens is home to a multitude of rare and unusual plants and lost London treasures.

• The gardens were created by the famous self-taught gardener and botanist Edward August Bowles who lived in Myddelton House from 1865 to 1954 and dedicated much of his life to transforming the gardens with his love of unusual and exotic plants. He became an expert on many plants, particularly the Crocus and was dubbed “The Crocus King”.

• The gardens are home to several national collections including colourful displays of irises and crocus, a beautiful carp lake, a Victorian conservatory, a colourful Alpine Meadow and a number of historical artefacts collected and treasured by E A Bowles.

• Myddelton House Gardens was awarded the prestigious Green Flag award in 2024 as well as the much coveted Green Heritage Site Accreditation, supported by Historic England, in recognition of the Authority’s successful management of this historic venue.

• Owned and managed by Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, Myddelton House marked its 200th anniversary in 2018 – the original building was built by Henry Carrington Bowles in 1818.The building was named after Sir Hugh Myddelton, an engineering genius who created the New River – a section of which had bisected the garden from 1613 until 1968.

• Brigadier Parker Bowles is the great nephew of EA Bowles. The Brigadier has played a prominent role in the restoration of Myddelton House Gardens as President of the EA Bowles of Myddelton House Society.

• The gardens were awarded a two year Heritage Lottery Funding in 2009 to restore sections of the gardens to their former glory, including the Kitchen Garden, Victorian Potting Shed, Peach House and Bowles’ original Cold Frames, together with the creation of a visitor centre, museum and tea room.

• The year round attraction offers a seasonal events programme including guided walks and talks, jazz and classical music evenings.

• The gardens are open every day except between Christmas and New Year (See website for details). Entry to the gardens is free however, donations are welcome. Car parking charges apply.

www.visitleevalley.org.uk/myddelton

Myddelton House Gardens, Bulls Cross, Enfield, Middlesex EN2 9HG

Tel: 03000 030 610

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