St John open gardens at West Beckham and North Creake

That is the message from St John Ambulance as they have two open gardens coming up this spring.

There will be a chance to see snowdrops at Chestnut Farm, West Beckham, near Holt (postcode NR25 6NX), on Sunday February 18 from 11am-4pm.

A harbinger of spring, this delightful garden of about three acres has been nurtured for over 50 years by the owners who have collected more than 90 varieties of snowdrops, some local such as Sheringham Park and some from countries such as Turkey and Ukraine.

The original clumps planted under the chestnut trees in front of the farmhouse have multiplied many times, so that between Christmas and late March the ground is covered in these wonderful delicate white flowers.

This is not just a paradise for galanthophiles as there are drifts of aconites and crocuses with other bulbs and hellebores, winter and spring flowering shrubs and a surprise round every corner.

Directions: South of the A148 between Holt and Cromer, follow signs.

Admission: Adults £5, children free. Dogs on leads welcome, plant sales, refreshments

Meanwhile on Sunday April 14 there is an open garden from 12-5pm at Slys Farm, North Creake, near Fakenham (postcode NR21 9JQ).

It is a lovely and mature one acre walled garden established many years ago and now maintained by the original owner’s daughter.

There are hidden rooms and pathways revealing a wide variety of texture, colour and diversity of plants.

It is created for all seasons but particularly glorious in the spring.

Directions: On the left side of the B1135 from Fakenham to Burnham Market between South and North Creake.

Admission: adults £5, children free. Dogs on leads welcome, plant sales, refreshments.

Website: stjohnopengardensgmail.weebly.com