Enjoy the first signs of spring at Boughton Gardens

Visitors to Northamptonshire’s Boughton House & Gardens – home to the Duke of Buccleuch – can enjoy early access to its celebrated gardens in association with the National Gardens Scheme this month.

Catch a glimpse of the first flowerings of aconites and snowdrops between 1pm and 4pm on Sunday 22 February, at Boughton’s first gardens opening of 2026.

A portion of the admission fees from the day will be donated to charity through the National Gardens Scheme, which raised over £3.88 million for nursing and care charities in 2026.

David Cullum, Parks and Gardens Manager at Boughton House, said:

“Our National Gardens Scheme opening will give visitors a unique opportunity to enjoy the first view of the estate’s gardens as they slowly awake from their winter slumber. We are already spotting some beautiful varieties of snowdrop, including Galanthus nivalis ‘Flore Plena’ in the wilderness woodland, ‘Jade’, with lovely tinges of green on the outside petals, and ‘Sam Arnott’, with broad outer petals and a lovely honey scent, in the walled garden, and we hope they will still be out for visitors to enjoy. It’s also worth looking out for other blooming flowers, from winter aconites to Cyclamen coum and various crocuses.”

In addition to the snowdrops and early flowering blooms, visitors can explore the wider parkland and estate, and enjoy a new waymarked walk (approximately two miles) to the newly restored Star Pond.

Charles Lister, Property Manager, added:

“This special opening is a great chance to get out and about, enjoy nature at its best, sample some delicious tea and cakes in our tearoom, and make a difference in the process. We are currently part way through an ambitious conservation project – the repair of Boughton’s roof, so the access will be slightly different from previous years, but we look forward to welcoming visitors.”

Tickets for the special gardens opening should be purchased in advance from https://www.boughtonhouse.co.uk/event/ngs-february-gardens/.

Garden entry costs £8 for adults and £4 for children. The Gift Shop and Tearoom, serving drinks and home baking, will also be open on the day.

Find out more about special openings and events at Boughton House at boughtonhouse.co.uk.

Follow Boughton on Facebook @BoughtonHouseandEstate or Instagram @boughton_house_official.