A wet and windy weekend might have some people off from visiting the start of Rode Hall's famous Snowdrop Walks but the gates are now well and truly open to the popular annual event.

More than 70 varieties of the traditional flower, which symbolises innocence, purity and hope as it is the first flower to bloom at the end of winter and the

he beginning of spring are on display outside. After not being able to go ahead last year, Rode Hall say they are "thrilled" to be back with their Snowdrop Walks which opened on Saturday (February 5th) and run until March 6th. The walks run from Wednesday – Sunday 11 am – 4pm and entrance is £6 or £2.50 for children but Pre-booked discounted tickets available online: here. Limited tickets are available at the gate but payment is by card only visitors are reminded to wear appropriate clothing and footwear as the paths are on bark but can get slippy under foot. Dogs on leads are welcome and the courtyard kitchen is open selling pies, soups, bacon and sausage baps and a selection of homemade cakes. A spokesman said: "Rode Hall Gardens are the setting of one of the most spectacular displays of Snowdrops in the North West of England. "With over seventy different varieties of snowdrops to be seen in the magnificent setting of Rode's Humphry Repton landscape, this mile-long walk (approximately) is a perfect morning or afternoon stroll out in the fresh air for nature-lovers of all ages. "The swathes of cascading white flowers at Rode are a sight to behold and one of Cheshire's little known natural treasures."