Stourhead, Stourton

The big one. Meander around the lake and you’ll find gazillions of cheery yellow daffs springing up around the Palladian bridge. Grab your wellies on and get exploring, then round things off with a slice of Victoria sponge from the café up the hill.

The Courts Garden, Holt

It may be lesser known than the heavy hitters like Lacock and Stourhead, but The Court Gardens packs a punch. In fact, it’s a pretty magical – think pretty ponds, topiary and daffs galore in the arboretum and orchard. You’ll find oodles of other spring flowers too, including an impressive display of hellebores, plus an outdoor mud kitchen for the kids.

Bowood House and Gardens, Calne

The glorious gardens at Bowood reopen on 1st April this year, just in time to appreciate spring flowers. You’ll find swathes of gold throughout the estate, making this a great shout for a family adventure. Take the kids for a romp around the lake, before they stretch their legs at the adventure playground.

Iford Manor Gardens, Iford

These Italianate gardens are pretty magical, especially when swathed in spring flowers. This year’s open season kicks off on 2nd April, when you’ll be able to admire everything from tulips to dramatic daffs. Entry from £9 and dogs are welcome, but it’s a no to kids under the age of 10.

Oysters Coppice, Semley

This ancient woodland was once gifted to Lord Arundell by Queen Elizabeth I, but is now a nature reserve under the watchful eye of the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust. Visit in March for dainty wild daffs, and then return in April and May for bluebells and wild garlic. Just don’t peek into any wooden boxes you might find – they’re home to dormice, a protected species. Find out more here.

Fonthill House, near Tisbury

A great one for film buffs – the stunning lake at Fonthill featured in the film Chocolat. You’ll find sweeping parkland and wonderful woodland walks, studded with daffodils, rhododendrons and azaleas. Daffs aside, you’ll also find sculptures dotted through the gardens, which have been redeveloped under the direction of landscape designers Marie-Louise Agius and Tania Compton. Tania redesigned the grounds at Reddish House, Cecil Beaton’s former home, and was Kate Moss’s go-to for her garden in Gloucestershire. The gardens at Fonthill House are only open on a handful of days throughout the year, so snap up the chance to visit on 23 March. Find out more here.

West Woods, Marlborough

This pretty woodland may be famed for its carpets of bluebells, but it’s also worth a well-timed spring visit, when thousands of wild daffodils emerge. There are some easy circular walks here for families, or, for longer legs, you can head further afield for a ten-mile circular from Marlborough to West Woods, via the Marlborough White Horse.

Heale Garden, Middle Woodford

This Salisbury stunner looks ravishing through from early spring to late summer. Expect everything from aconites to snowdrops, daffodils and (later) a crescendo of planting. It’s open Tuesday to Sunday, and you’ll find a tea room too.

Lacock Abbey, Lacock

Yellow blooms spring up all around the Abbey in March and April, but you’ll want to head to the Woodland Garden to spy the best of the daffodils this season. Four-legged friends are only allowed in certain areas at Lacock, so it’s worth keeping tabs on the website before you set off.

Dinton, near Salisbury

This pretty village comes with impressive daffodil credentials – it was once home to famed breeder George Herbert Engleheart, who created over 700 varieties of daffs. He died in 1936, but the community still celebrates his legacy with bulb planting days. The upshot? Dinton is resplendent in yellow.

A HOP OVER THE BORDER

The American Museum, Bath

An incredible 70,000 daffs are set to flower at the American Museum this year. Different varieties emerge in waves throughout the season, with 40,000 daffodils in the New American Garden alone. Check out opening times and info here.

The Vyne, Basingstoke

A stunning, 500-year-old Tudor manor house-turned-family home, The Vyne is one of the largest properties in Hampshire (it’s a smidge across the Wiltshire border). Daffodils can be seen in abundance on the south drive by the mansion and they line the paths through the walled gardens too. Once you’ve had a good explore, head for a deckchair and take in the lovely views across the lake to the parkland and woods beyond.

Dyrham Park, South Gloucestershire

Dyrham Park’s orchard comes alive with crocuses and primroses in spring, but it’s the daffodils that are the star of the show. You’ll find winding paths, pretty ponds and a perry orchard too.

Mells, near Frome

When it comes to charming villages, Mells is right up there. From late February the verges and surrounding fields come alive with vibrant daffodils, plus you’ll find pretty walks along the river and Mells Estate. There’s a gorgeous café too, opened by none other than Mary Berry back in 2011. Try the lime and courgette sponge!