The popular Shepton Mallet Snowdrop Festival returns on 15th and 16th February.
Once again, tens of thousands of snowdrop bulbs have been planted in the Somerset town of Shepton Mallet town in honour of old Sheptonian, James Allen, otherwise known in the 19th Century and ever since as the ‘Snowdrop King’.
Specialist spring plant and bulb sellers, poets, photographers, artists and craft makers, heritage tours and Shepton Mallet’s growing Sunday market promise to make this a special weekend; supported by the shops who decorate their windows to reflect the snowdrop theme. This year the Festival has partnered once again with the Margery Fish garden at East Lambrook Manor and Kilver Court gardens, with its iconic viaduct backdrop and millpond. For the first time, Yeo Valley Gardens are also opening specially over the weekend of the Festival to give garden and snowdrop lovers a glimpse of their winter garden.
For more full details of what’s on over the weekend visit https://www.sheptonsnowdropfestival.org.uk/whats-on-2020.html
Here’s just a taste:
- Specialist snowdrops for sale in the Marquee and in the Market Place
- Photography and Poetry Competition Exhibition of Entries; sculpture, paintings; pottery and craft for sale – The Church of St Peter and St Paul
- Snowdrop Stroll – count the Snowdrop footprints, spot the Snowdrop Fairy; enjoy the history of the ancient town!
- Stories from the Street Poet
- Town Crier Heritage Walk
- Visit the gardens of the historic houses where James Allen lived – exclusively open during the weekend (for their historical interest rather than extensive snowdrop plantings)
- Snowdrop-themed workshop; make a ‘snowball hanging snowdrop display’
- Demonstration and tips for winter hanging baskets and tubs.
