Snowdrops / Wells

Bishop’s Snowdrops

by Jeff Bevan · Published 19th February 2022 · Updated 19th February 2022

Snowdrop Weekends – Wells, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_7050

The Snowdrop Celebrations at the Bishop’s Palace have returned in Wells. Covering five weekends starting at the end of January this is a chance to see carpets of snowdrops around the palace gardens.

First Weekend

The palace does not open to 10am, I wish this was earlier, but even at that time the lawn was white with frost.

Bishops Palace – Wells, Somerset, UK. ID JB_7892

It very quickly became obvious that there was going to be very few snowdrops. I found a few in the arboretum. These looked beautiful in the low winter light as the sun was beginning to melt the frost crystals.

Snowdrops – Bishops Palace, Wells, Somerset, UK. ID JB_7723

Second Weekend

One week later, and another sunny winter day visit to the palace. Today there were a few more snowdrops. But the flowers have been late everywhere this year, and in the palace gardens very few had opened.

Snowdrops – Bishops Palace, Wells, Somerset, UK. ID JB_0149

The frosts lingered on the ground loving crocus flowers, while snowdrops standing higher in the sun the were glistening with water droplets.

Snowdrops – Bishops Palace, Wells, Somerset, UK. ID JB_0161

Within each group of flowers only one or two were open.

Snowdrops – Bishops Palace, Wells, Somerset, UK. ID JB_0218

Third Weekend

At last the flowers were beginning to open.

Bishops Palace – Wells, Somerset, UK. ID JB_0342

The frosty mornings were now a memory, but the flowers were still covered in early morning dew.

Snowdrops – Bishops Palace, Wells, Somerset, UK. ID JB_0223

Forth Weekend

After weeks of hoping and waiting on this visit all the flowers had opened!

Snowdrops – Bishops Palace, Wells, Somerset, UK. ID JB_0233

The banks of the moat were carpeted with snowdrops, and across the little bridge, where the swan sits, the arboretum was full of snowdrops.

Snowdrops – Bishops Palace, Wells, Somerset, UK. ID JB_1399

The palace gardens are a special location.

Bishops Palace – Wells, Somerset, UK. ID JB_0356

And Finally…

Soon it will be the last weekend of the snowdrop celebration at the palace. As we reach this time the daffodils are starting to flower to begin their own celebrations.