Recommended garden of the month by Chris Beardshaw….

10th June 2011

Rode Hall

The snowdrop walks are about to commence at Rode Hall and what a welcome way to start the year!   Originally introduced to the gardens in 1833 by Sibella, the wife of Baronet Wilbraham there are now over fifty different varieties of snowdrops to be enjoyed on the mile-long walk – set within the magnificent Repton landscape.

Although the gardens have only been opened during this part of the winter for the last 10 years they have quickly established a well earned reputation for the beautiful swathes of white carpeting jewels that draw enthusiastic galanthophiles from near and far. Do make time to explore the other parts of the gardens during your visit, where winter shrubs and trees will fight for your attention and a tearoom offers a welcome treat too! 

The history of the grade II listed park and garden dates back before any real records exist but the notable Humphrey Repton made his mark at Rode Hall in 1790 with a 40 acre lake, known as Rode Lake, and this was followed by the addition of the formal gardens by Nesfield from 1860.  The gardens have been worked on significantly by the wife of the current Baronet, Anne, and her small team of gardeners over recent years and in 2007 they opened their new Italian Garden.  They have also added many new plants such as spring bulbs and autumn colour across the terraces and woodlands to extend the season of interest and the thriving kitchen garden is a popular attraction in the height of summer. 

The snowdrop walks start from 28th January to 11th March each day from 12-4pm (except Mondays)