If there is one sight sure to lift a sagging heart at this time of year it is snowdrops. It's a clear sign that the evenings are drawing out and the icy winds and frosts will soon be over. And this year nature is giving families a half-term treat - the snowdrops are late, meaning they are at their best this week. Claire Forbes visited Painswick's Rococo Gardens - one of the best places in the world to enjoy this hardy flower, described by William Wordsworth as a 'venturous harbinger of spring '.

IT'S a frosty winters day and a weak sun is trying its best to shine despite the billowing grey clouds overhead.

I expected a biting wind - but I'm actually greeted by something far more welcoming - the warming smell of freshly baked scones.

But while I enjoy the homely aroma, the restaurant is not the reason I'm visiting the Rococo Gardens on a drab February afternoon.

I've been drawn by the snowdrops - nature's simple but beautiful sign to us all that the evenings are lengthening and warmer, sunnier weather is slowly on its way.

While the rose is undoubtedly my favourite flower - I adore the fragrance - snowdrops come a close second.

When winter has bleached the landscape of its colour, this delicate but hardy flower pierces the frozen ground - proving that nature hasn't abandoned us.

This spring we have been kept waiting - the snowdrops are a month late because of the cold weather meaning they will be at their best this week - half term - and thousands of tourists from across the world are expected to visit.

And if the flowers aren't enough of a treat there's the ornate buildings and plenty for the children, including an exciting maze and nature trail through grassland and woodland.

It is ironic that although the garden's biggest draw of the year is the simple snowdrop, its origins - in the 1740s - lie in the flamboyant rococo period.

Wealthy landowners had become bored with formal, rigidly planted gardens and wanted more lavish, frivolous vistas.

In this case a hidden hollow behind Painswick House was transformed into a paradise of winding woodland walks among wild flowers interspersed with highly decorated buildings.

Paul Moir, who manages the garden, stressed there was a playfulness to the design.

"The essence of the garden is that it should not to be taken seriously," he said.

"It is not a natural garden although the planting is loose.

"It is a garden designed to be used and enjoyed."

Painswick is a rare example of a complete rococo garden - but the rococo style did have its critics, who thought it crass.

One of these - Francis Coventry - writing in 1753 lambasted the 'the excesses of rococo' saying it was favoured by 'upstart owners who fancied they had taste'.

By 1890 the garden had become old fashioned and left neglected it grew into a tangled jungle.

It would remain untouched for nearly a century but a chance discovery in 1976 led to a huge restoration project.

A painting was found which revealed it had been laid out in 1748. This sparked a flurry of interest and in 1984 work began to revive the grounds, funded by private cash.

It was handed to the Painswick Rococo Garden Trust in 1988 and the six-acre garden is now almost restored.

"The trust ensures only work that can be maintained and preserved in the future is undertaken," said Paul.

"Restoration is not an easy task and there are often conflicting goals. "For instance the Red House, which is the next building to be restored, is home to a colony of the lesser horseshoe bats.

"The only way forward is compromise."

One delight for regular visitors is never knowing what new treasure has been restored.

This spring sees the opening of the refurbished Old Tool Shed. If a small wooden garden shed springs to mind then prepare for a surprise.

In years gone by this large Cotswold stone building, which backed onto a heated greenhouse, would have made a cosy retreat for gardeners exchanging yarns.

It has been lovingly restored and even includes large table, eight gardener's chairs and a head gardener's chair made specially by a local craftsman.

These are as close in design to the originals as possible. A woodburner is due to be fitted shortly so the building - which is now finished and will be officially opened in April - can be used for meetings.

It is also hoped that future plans may include IT facilities so those who have difficulty getting around the gardens can have a guided tour via a computer screen.

I can thoroughly recommend an exhilarating walk around these wonderful grounds - and a few of those delicious scones - to banished those winter blues.

* The gardens are open between 11am and 5pm daily until October 31. For further details phone 01452 813204 or visit the website at: www.rococogarden.co.uk