CHAWTON House near Alton is celebrating the beauty of spring as it reopens its doors to the public on Wednesday, February 9 after a short winter closure.

With 12,000 spring bulbs planted in the gardens, visitors can enjoy peaceful walks with undisturbed views of the Hampshire countryside and delight in the bright pops of colour as winter disappears for another year.

Snowdrop Sundays will be held at Chawton House throughout February, before the yellow of golden daffodils appear among the greenery.

Visitors can return with an annual ticket to the house and gardens and see the changing displays as tulips, irises, scilla and muscari bloom.

Chief executive Katie Childs said: “We look forward to welcoming visitors back to Chawton House to celebrate the beauty of spring flowers.

“Visitors will be able to explore the gardens and wider estate and enjoy the 12,000 bulbs our gardening team have planted as they flower through the season.

“Our special events programme will begin in January, with exclusive curator tours of our Botanical Women exhibition followed by either an afternoon tea or botanical supper, with menus inspired by the delights of spring. In February, we will be hosting Snowdrop Sundays throughout the month, with special snowdrop tours running throughout the day and a snowdrop-themed trail for children to enjoy.”

Exploring the often-hidden role women have played in horticulture and plant science from as early as the 17th century, Botanical Women celebrates the lives of these bright and resourceful women and their contributions to botanical artistry and early modern science. On display in the exhibition is Elizabeth Blackwell’s fascinating work, A Curious Herbal, the first herbal produced by a woman.

Ahead of Chawton House reopening, the pages of A Curious Herbal will be turned over from their current winter images to display beautiful illustrations of the flowers that can be seen blooming outside in the gardens.

Chawton House will be open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 3.30pm, from February 9.