As the Prince Regent stared down at his white charger’s lifeless body, his remorse began a 200-year tradition which is a joy to walkers.

In a moment of boastful madness to his friends over supper at Charlton Park in Bishopsbourne, near Canterbury, the prince wagered with them that his horse could safely make the jump from the ballroom window on the first floor.

Alas, the magnificent animal did not survive the fall, breaking its neck, and the prince, who became George IV, planted snowdrops in the wood beside the house in memory of his fallen companion.

That small patch multiplied to cover a huge part of the estate, where walkers can go for a guided walk around the flowers, followed by tea and biscuits.

“It covers a couple of acres,” said owner Gabrielle Twigg. “They are coming up very well this year and look glamorous in the sunshine.

“They are so pretty that in the last century, when the Canterbury railway line ran, the train would halt at Charlton Park, where they would pick the snowdrops and then take them to the market at Covent Garden to sell them.”

The guided walk takes place on Sunday, February 10, from 10am to 2pm. A donation of £2.50 per walker goes to the St Mary The Virgin Church in Bishopsbourne. Call 01227 831355.

Celebrated as a sign of spring, several gardens open specially for visitors to admire their snowdrops. Opening as part of the National Gardens Scheme in Kent are:

Copton Ash, Faversham www.coptonash.plus.com

Goodnestone Park Gardens, Wingham www.goodnestoneparkgardens.co.uk

Mere House, Mereworth, near West Malling www.mere-house.co.uk

Spring Platt, Sutton Valence, near Maidstone www.kentsnowdrops.com

More details on the National Gardens Scheme at www.ngs.org.uk