Wentworth Woodhouse prepares for snowdrop bonanza despite lockdown

Thanks to hard work by the volunteers - nicknamed the 'Welly Wangers' and the 'Bramble Bashers' - in previous years, snowdrop bulbs are now spread across a much wider area of the grounds than ever before.

As the Grade-I listed stately home near Rotherham cannot hold events during lockdown, guided snowdrop tours have been cancelled - but visitors from the local area are still able to walk around the gardens even while restrictions are in place.

Three years of 'toil' to split and replant each year's snowdrops to increase their spread the following spring has reaped rewards, and head gardener Scott Jamieson still expects spectacular displays in February and March, despite the volunteers not having been able to work in groups to complete the task this time around.

Five varieties of snowdrop are expected to bloom for six weeks from early February onwards.

The snowdrop displays are part of a major strategy for Scott and deputy Andy Smith, who realised the bulbs' potential to attract visitors to the gardens ahead of the summer season.

“Snowdrops start a chain reaction in the garden calendar and the drifts firmly place our gardens in any discerning gardener’s diary as a must-do visit,” he said.

“Hundreds of hours went into last year’s snowdrop-moving season alone. Thousands of bulbs were transplanted and we are enormously grateful to our volunteers for their dedication.

“It’s hard work but a wonderful way to involve groups from all walks of life in the continued growth and development of the gardens.

“In the process, gallons of restorative tea are made and friendships grow.”

Steve Ash, 58, from Anston, became a member of the Welly Wangers in 2017 after seeing the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust’s volunteer appeal on Facebook.

“I hated gardening with a passion but I’d retired from work, really missed being part of a team and wanted to support the Trust’s vision,” said Steve, formerly a sales and marketing director for a global digital media company.

“We work every week, all year-round but the snowdrop-lifting season has become the most-loved ritual. We get a 4-5 week window and have now transplanted hundreds of thousands of bulbs.

"It’s actually quite therapeutic and Scott makes you feel you’re an important part of something - that you’re leaving a legacy for generations to come.

"Our focus has been on filling in areas of the grounds where there is only the occasional snowdrop and on the avenue of beech trees leading to the mansion’s West Front. The avenue was the Fitzwilliam family’s private route to the house via the Doric Lodge, which stands near Wentworth Garden Centre on the road to Thorpe Hesley.

"We’ve planted thousands of bulbs around the Punch Bowl near the South Terrace and on the bank - the area of the garden which was spared from open-cast mining.

"In three years we must have planted hundreds of thousands of bulbs and we work as a team. Those unable to work on their hands and knees do the splitting and dig the holes.

"We work in all weathers - snow is the best fun. Thanks to Dame Julie Kenny, who funded a cabin in the Stables courtyard for us, we now have a warm place to head to for a cuppa at break times.

“This is the first time in three years that we can’t continue that ritual. We are very disappointed but we will be back!”

The snowdrop viewing takes place as part of open gardens weekends this year from February 6-21. Admission is £5 for adults and £2.50 for children aged over five.

The gardens can be closed at short notice in poor weather, and are not open this weekend (January 16-17) due to snow and ice.

Visitors must be from the local area and not have driven a significant distance to attend the open gardens days. Under current restrictions, only household groups or two people from different households are permitted to visit the gardens together.