Beautiful Flower! ... how graceful and delicate you are! You are the first, you are the only one! You are our love!

‘The Snowdrop’ - Hans Christian Anderson

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The Snowdrop - The first gift of Spring in the bleakness of Winter.

Late January into February is the time of year when tiny humble snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis or ‘Milkflower of the snow’), symbols of hope and purity, burst in clusters of white blooms from the frozen winter soil.

Snowdrops are guaranteed on most of our walks at this time of year, whether we are strolling along the Thames, rambling in the Chilterns or roaming up on the Downs. Some of our favourite snowdrop walks, however, are in the Oxfordshire Chilterns around Swyncombe. A network of paths here criss-cross the land through woods and open county offering some awesome views and sometimes the chance to catch sight of a deer or hare. But hidden away in Colliers Bottom adjacent to the Ridgeway National Trail we find the beautiful little Norman church of St Botolph, famed for the carpets of snowdrops which adorn the churchyard and for its snowdrop teas!

St Botolph

Did you know that St Botolph is associated with trade and travel and is the patron saint of wayfarers? It is quite fitting that we should find him guiding travellers along the Ridgeway National Trail!

A Symbol of Hope and Purity

Although Snowdrops are thought by some to bring sadness and even death if picked and brought into the home, for most of us these ‘Fair Maids of February’ have long been a symbol of hope and purity. Snowdrops are the first new life of the year, appearing as the long dark days of winter wane and the sun grows stronger – a sign that Spring is imminent.

The medicinal properties of snowdrops also bring hope as a treatment for Alzheimer's and vascular dementia.

Make Thou my spirit pure and clear
As are the frosty skies
Or this first snowdrop of the year
That in my bosom lies

‘St Agnes’ Eve’ – Lord Alfred Tennyson (1837)

Signs of Spring

The snowdrop rears its humble pearly head in time to coincide with the feast day of Celtic Goddess Brigid and the Christian celebration of Candlemass and St Bride which mark the arrival of longer, warmer days and the early signs of spring. Paintings of these icons often feature snowdrops.

And thus the snowdrop, like the bow
That spans the cloudy sky,
Becomes a symbol whence we know
That brighter days are nigh

‘The Origin of the Snowdrop’ - George Wilson (1860)

Folklore and Fairies

As one might expect, much folk and fairy lore is associated with these ‘Fair Maids of February’. One of my favourite snowdrop tales is about how they came to be (from Land of the Happy Hours by Stella Mead, 1929)...

Once upon a time, a long time ago, when the mischievous Fairies were fed-up of winter they went out to play in the woods beyond Fairyland. Dressed in their green silk tunics and white bonnets and full of fun and excitement they soon tiered and fell asleep on the woodland floor. When they awoke the ground was covered in soft snow and a very angry Jack Frost was standing over them. As a punishment, Jack Frost turned the Fairies into flowers and kept them captive for three weeks and a day before allowing them to return to Fairyland. But he still requires that they return for a few weeks each February and we, in the land of humans, we call them snowdrops!

No talk of fairies and snowdrops would be complete without reference to one of my favourite childhood books, Flower Fairies by Cicely Mary Barker:

The Snowdrop Fairy

Deep sleeps the Winter,
Cold, wet, and grey;
Surely all the world is dead;
Spring is far away.
Wait! the world shall waken;
It is not dead, for lo,
The Fair Maids of February
Stand in the snow!

Snowdrop Walks

It might be cold out, but swathes of snowdrops are brightening up the winter countryside. So wrap up warm, get outside and enjoy a good Snowdrop Walk!