Snowdrops spring to life - and why Chirk Castle is the place to see them

Now the snowdrops that carpet the pleasure gardens at Chirk Castle have been named in the top 10 to see across the UK.

Head gardener, David Lock, said that the grounds and part of the castle would open to the public from Saturday.

He said: "Snowdrop season at Chirk Castle is our traditional way to dust off the old year and embrace the new.

"I love it when the snowdrops emerge, as they are now. It is the first sign of spring. They have started to bud and in the sunnier spots they are in bloom and usually last throughout February depending on the weather."

He said the castle's snowdrops included some rare species.

"Because of the wet weather, parts of the gardens are not accessible but the good news is that the snowdrop trail is all on good footpaths and is completely open."

"The fire will be lit in the Woodsman's Hut in Pleasure Ground Wood, near where the best snowdrop show appears, so there will be somewhere to get out of the cold."

With winter conservation work is still going on inside the castle the main state rooms are closed until March 10 however rooms in the lower East Wing will be open.

Visitors can enjoy the 1920s themed Bow Room warming their hands over the fire, see the Lower Dining Room and Myddelton pedigree, and watch the De Walden family cinefilm in the Butler's pantry.

Off-peak admission tickets apply.

Other snowdrop walks are at: York Gate Garden, Leeds; Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh; Ickworth, Suffolk; Rode Hall & Gardens, Cheshire; Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, Yorkshire; Burton Agnes Hall, East Yorkshire; Dunham Massey, Cheshire; Rococo Garden, Painswick, Gloucestershire; Springhill, County Londonderry.