CHAWTON House Library has appointed a new garden manager to develop its gardens, in addition to the house and library, as a top visitor attraction in the area.

Andrew Bentley was previously head gardener at Houghton Lodge and Gardens, having also run his own gardening business helping estate holders with garden management plans and systems.

Due to a mild December, Chawton House Library has brought forward its annual Snowdrop Sunday by three weeks to February 7, which will be the first opportunity for visitors to meet the new garden manager and hear about his plans for the year ahead.

Over the past month, the warm and wet weather has caused snowdrops across the country to flower early.

Mr Bentley said: “As the library’s new garden manager, I’m excited to have the opportunity to share our wonderful display of snowdrops with you and look forward to meeting as many of you as possible at the start of my first gardening year at Chawton House Library.”

Bursting through the dewy grass, the snowdrops typically carpet the lawn by February. Visitors can also discover the walled garden, originally built by Jane Austen’s brother Edward and mentioned in her letters, and the “wilderness”, a garden feature dating back to the 17th Century.

The Old Kitchen will be open for hot drinks, cake and soup.

Tickets, priced £4 for adults and £2 for children aged six to 16 (under-sixes free), are available to buy on the day.

For more details, visit chawtonhouselibrary.org or call 01420 541010.