A Memorable Visit 
Every February tiny green shoots push through a crisp layer of leaf litter. Within a few days encouraged by spring-like sunshine, a mass of nodding white miniature bells magically appear.
Great Brickhill Manor opens its wrought iron gates on only two days every year to allow a glimpse into this secluded site. Hidden behind imposing brick walls fortified by castle-like battlements and towers, the estate is home to millions of these delightful little plants.
We were welcomed outside the church of St. Mary the Virgin. Wandering through the churchyard we soon discovered the first flush of snowdrops scattered between the gravestones.
A waymarked route directs you past historic cedars standing as sentinels above the surrounding parkland. One of these has sent out a low branch which has rooted and is now growing a new tree. Others have lost their topmost branches: victims to strong winds on this exposed site.
The trail wanders through a wild area of deciduous woodland carpeted by countless snowdrops which form a hazy white mist above the fallen leaves. There were millions of these perfect plants. They had spread everywhere even poking their pointed leaves and tiny bells through the paths.
The route then meanders gently down towards two beautiful tree-lined lakes. Framed by weeping willows and alder trees, the lakes are home to squabbling coots arguing over potential mates. Their frantic paddling leaves rippling wakes on the mirror-like lakes. Giant sequoia stand nearby, their dramatic shapes reflected in the water. Rushes and reeds were showing signs of new growth, hints of the lush vegetation which would soon fringe these lovely lakes and provide a refuge for a variety of wildlife. I thought about this site in the summer and imagined dragonfly nymphs climbing up the stems ready to emerge into the colourful adult insects which would skim above the water surface and clatter their iridescent wings between the reed stems.
Set high up on the undulating western edge of the Greensand Ridge, the path gives panoramic views northwards across the clay vale. In the distance we could just make out the edge of the city of Milton Keynes, with its beautifully landscaped parks and balancing lakes.
Turning uphill towards the church again we came across drifts of double snowdrops interspersed with aconites, their little yellow blooms surrounded by a frill of bright green leaves.
After an hour of admiring the profusion of plants we returned to the church where we were served hot drinks and a selection of delicious home-made cakes. Roll on next year when I hope Great Brickhill Manor grounds will be open to another group of galanthophiles.
Meanwhile many of the flowers can be spotted from the road (Galley Lane) which goes quite steeply downhill from St. Mary’s Church past a former entrance to the estate and the two middle lodges.
In 2017 Sarah Tricks produced a fascinating dossier on this historic designed landscape https://bucksgardenstrust.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Great_Brickhill_Manor.pdf
Sheila Meekums
