Synopsis: This was the day for me to visit the legendary Snow Drop Valley, on Exmoor. Tea making kit packed in my rucksack, off I set by bus for this splendid wintery walk.
So, eventually I get to do the walk denied me by the snows of 7th February. Once again it is an early start, getting up at 5am, as I have to catch the 8.14 bus out of Wheddon Cross. I actually arrive here with 30 minutes to spare, so plenty of time to get my boots on and walk a quick circuit of the village. The bus is punctual, so I’m soon on my way to Timberscombe, my walk start point, a little further along the A396 in the direction of Minehead.
Pink cottages of Wootton Courtenay The day is warm and dry, but there’s quite a lot of low cloud about, which I see is hanging on Dunkery Beacon, a destination on this walk. As I skirt the edge of Wootton Courtenay there are some beautiful cottages to be seen. I climb out onto the moor and see some interesting plays of light on the trees which I’ve attempted to capture in some of my photographs.
Wooden footbridge sees me on my wayI pick up a road and descend into a wooded valley. There is a wooden footbridge I use to cross the stream and then begins a long hard slog up Dunkery Beacon. I think to myself I’m feeling my age, but when later, at the end of the walk, I look at the statistics (from my GPS) I see I’ve actually achieved quite a lot, so I don’t feel so bad. 
There’s not much to see at Dunkery Beacon, despite all my efforts to reach here, as the top is shrouded in fog. At least the feel-good-factor makes the effort seem worthwhile. There are some substantial banks of snow still remaining on the hillside from the snows of two weeks ago, testimony I feel to how much snow fell on Exmoor.
Time for tea! I descend from here in the direction of Snowdrop Valley. Before reaching the valley I break on the hillside to have my lunch. I get the kettle on and brew up, as I find there is nothing like a good hot cup of tea. I’ve inherited the tea making rite from Dad, who always enjoyed a cuppa.
It’s very noticeable to me how much damage was done to the trees by the snows of two week’s previous. Everywhere I walk there are signs of fallen trees and snapped branches. I suppose the first heavy snows for twenty years exposed all the weaknesses in our trees.
Snowdrops at head of Snowdrop Valley
My favourite snowdrop site is right at the head of the valley, at the confluence of two streams. I know this patch from a previous visit several years earlier. The snowdrops here are just perfectly naturalised into a bank; I feel the setting is perfect. Not only that, but my timing is perfect too. I get my photos whilst the sun shines on them obliquely across the valley, and just as I plan to move on the sun drops below some trees on the opposite valley and the snowdrops are left in shade.
Carpet of snowdropsFurther down this valley I eventually come to the main visitor site of Snowdrop Valley, where the densest growth is to be found. I follow the circuit, a path that loops around from the bus drop-off point. I do enjoy seeing the profusion of snowdrops here, which has to be said is stunning, but the numbers of visitors and the general setting I find less than totally appealing. Banks of snowdrops (just like bluebells) are difficult to photograph, and can appear as just a splotch of white in a photo. I endeavour to do the best I can, but the valley is already in shade (at 3pm), so the light is quite flat. At least there isn’t any wind to blur the flowers at the slow shutter speeds I am using. I’m at the end of my walk by now, with less than a mile to walk to my car, so I take my time and enjoy my visit to Snowdrop Valley.
So, what about my photos then? Well, if you like snowdrops, then I think you’re in for a treat. If not, you’d best pass them by! And what next? Well, daffodils of course! 
Walk Statistics:
Total Distance: 11.00m
Walk Time: (moving): 4 hrs 44 mins
Walk Time: (stopped): 2 hrs 10 mins
Total Ascent: 807 metres
Maximum Elevation: 530 metres
Bus: First 398 (travelled Wheddon Cross to Timberscombe)
