Blossom in Hampshire

Blossom in gardens and countryside, like bluebells in woods, is one of those quintessential signs of spring. We can’t fail to be uplifted by the sight of it, from Mottisfont’s magnificent magnolia in March, to the blowsy cherry tree blooms at Hinton Ampner and The Vyne. In our walled gardens and orchards apple and pear trees are covered in clusters of tiny pink and white flowers. Beyond the garden, hedgerows and downland are sprinkled with spears of frothy white blackthorn blossom, and later hawthorn - a beautiful spectacle for springtime walkers.

A family walking in the woods at Fountains Abbey, North Yorkshire

Latest visiting update 

Our gardens, parks, cafés, shops, countryside locations and many houses are open. You no longer need to pre-book at many places. Some still require booking ahead, so please check the property webpage before you travel.​

More information on visiting
White spring blossom on a tree next to the house

Mottisfont 

Early spring also sees the flowering of magnificent white magnolia by the stables. In early April the little cherry orchard urfurls creamy blossom. Later, in the walled gardens, you’ll find fruit trees displaying pink and white flowers, and on the estate walk hedgerows are bright with clusters of pretty white blackthorn blossom.

Blossom throughout spring
Spring cherry blossom tree on lawn with church in background

Hinton Ampner 

In spring, Hinton Ampner’s orchard is full of frothy creamy-white and soft pink Japanese cherry blossom. First to appear are the soft pink double flowers of variety ‘Kanzan’. Tiny white star-shaped wood anemone litter the long grass. In April, the blowsy cream blooms of Mount Fuji appear, weighing branches down towards the ground. In the walled kitchen garden espaliered fruit trees bear tight clusters of pink and white flowers.

Frothy cherry blossom
White cherry blossom trees in long grass on either side of gravel track

The Vyne 

The Vyne’s orchard is lovely place to wander at this time of year - plum, pear and apple trees start to reveal tiny cream and candy-pink flowers – a picture-postcard scene. If you visit in late spring, make sure you stroll through the Wild Garden. Its little cherry trees produce large displays of pale pink flowers on either side of the track.

Flowering orchards
Walker on track through hedges of white hawthorn blossom

Stockbridge Down 

On this beautiful oasis of chalk downland you’ll find plenty of spring blossom, which makes walking a delight for the senses. Blackthorn is one of the first wild blossoms to appear – look for small white flowers with pink anthers set in thorny scrub. A little later comes hawthorn, or ‘May’ – a rich food source for birds, insects and…dormice. They love munching on the flowers.

Take a spring blossom walk