IT might not have seemed it a fortnight ago when the ground was frozen for the best part of a week and temperatures at night dipped several degrees below zero, but overall the 2003-2004 winter has been one of the warmest for ages.

In some parts, the first shoots of spring were appearing in January and the mating call of the lawnmower was heard in February. Heavens preserve us.

The result of all this is that - bar the odd cold snap - gardens are further forward than usual. Which has led that august body the National Trust to open its county properties a month earlier this year, so more people can enjoy the beauty of spring in some of the loveliest settings in Worcestershire and Herefordshire.

For example, Lower Brockhampton, the mediaeval moated manor with its beautiful timber-framed gatehouse on the Brockhampton Estate at Bringsty, near Bromyard, opened for the new season as early as Wednesday, March 3.

"This was nearly a month earlier than we have ever opened before," said property manager Les Rogers. "It will give even more visitors the chance to enjoy the spring flowers on the park walks and at Lower Brockhampton itself."

The new season of events begins on Sunday, March 21, with Mother's Day, which offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy a spring visit to Lower Brockhampton and treat mum to a special cream tea at the Old Apple Store Tearoom.

For children, there will be prizes of chocolate Easter eggs for children when visitors take part in the Brockhampton Easter Trails, sponsored by Marks & Spencer, on April 11 and 12.

An array of spring flowers will be in bloom ready for the Springtime Walk on April 25, which Les Rogers will lead himself from the estate car park.

There will be a celebration of rural crafts and produce at the Plant, Produce and Craft Fair on May 31, when home made preserves and pickles from the Brockhampton Estate will be on sale, as well as locally produced crafts.

Children can explore the world of wildlife at the Wild about Wildlife Activity Days on July 10 and 11, discover what lives under water at the Pond Dipping sessions and embark on the Ugly Bug Safari on August 5.

About six miles south of Worcester, between Pershore and Upton-upon-Severn, Croome Park also opened in early March this year. The National Trust expects much interest in the venue this summer following its appearance in a recent BBC Hidden Gardens programme.

Work on restoring the landscape park, notably laid out by Capability Brown, is proceeding apace and families, landscape and history enthusiasts can keep abreast with progress.

Now in the eighth year of the 10-year restoration project at Croome, the Trust will this year re-roof the temple greenhouse, begin work on the restoration of the ice house and replant nearly 700 trees.

To ensure that the replanting is true to the 18th Century planting scheme the property will be using satellite navigation to ensure accuracy to the layout.

Following the dredging of the lake in 2003, the mirrored water effect that Brown originally intended should become clear.

On the wider estate, sheep and cattle will be introduced to the parkland and work will begin on the restoration of the ha-ha. The ha-ha is a sunken fence bordering in the park. At Croome the ha-ha rather unusually faces inwards and outwards to ensure uninterrupted views to the house, showing that Brown's landscape was designed to be enjoyed from the pleasure ground as much as the court.

To celebrate the Easter weekend at Croome there will be fun for all the family at the Easter Trail on April 11 and 12 with prizes of chocolate Easter eggs for children when they find the clues, which are hidden on a trail around the park.

Wildlife experts will lead three walks in conjunction with Worcestershire Wildlife week in May.

Join badger expert Penny Creswell on the Badger Walk on May 1, take part in the Nightingale Walk with the National Trust's nature conservation adviser Simon Barker on May 4 and join the Bat Walk with Rebecca Collins on May 8.

Budding artists can use the peaceful parkland as inspiration for their work at the Painting with David Birtwhistle event on May 24, and enjoy the park when it is closed to visitors.

There will be an open-air performance of As You Like It by Mad Dogs and Englishmen on June 19.

Across the county in the Archers village of Hanbury, the William and Mary style country mansion Hanbury Hall is also extending its opening hours this year. It is now to open five days a week, Saturdays to Wednesdays, having begun its season on March 1,

"This is nearly a month earlier than we have ever opened before" said Louise Slater, visitor services manger, "and so more visitors will get the chance to enjoy the spring flowers around the property.

"We will also be opening the gardens, tea-room and shop an hour earlier every day, from 11am."

Extended opening hours are not the only changes visitors will enjoy.

"We will also be offering guided tours of the house on Saturdays and Sundays between 11am and 1pm," said Louise, "as well as introductory talks in the afternoons on weekends."

For disabled visitors a new wheelchair accessible buggy service will be running between the visitor car park and the house.

"We are really excited about this new development," Louise added.

"It will make it much easier for our visitors to get to the Hall."

Switching from the countryside to the city centre, The Greyfriars in Friar Street, Worcester, also opened early and visitors can enjoy an action packed events programme for 2004, which includes family activity days, music and demonstrations.

To launch the new season, there will be a series of Open Furniture Days, from March 24 to 27, when visitors will be invited to discover the secrets hidden behind closed doors.

Furniture that is normally sealed to keep out light and dust for conservation purposes will be opened up throughout the house.

From April 7to 17 there will be prizes of chocolate Easter eggs for children when they take part in The Greyfriars Easter Trail around the house and garden. Families can take part in Hands on History on April 8 and discover mediaeval life, with a range of children's crafts and games.

Conservation enthusiasts can learn about the methods used by the National Trust to conserve the Greyfriars at the Conservation in Action events on May 12 and June 16.

Discover the enchanting history behind The Greyfriars and its rescue from demolition on July 8 on the Evening House Tour.

The tour will be led by custodian Rachel Bannon who will outline the role the building played as a merchant's house in the centre of the city and why it was saved.

Music will bring the house to life on July 18 when the Playford Assembly Dancers perform 18th Century dance demonstrations in the garden. Visitors can celebrate the age of radio at the Heritage Radio Weekend on July 23, 24 and 25.

On July 31 The Greyfriars will provide the historic backdrop for a 15th Century solider, as he recreates history using authentic weapons and armour, which visitors can try on.

There's so much to do, they started early this year to pack it all in.