I've known for a long time that somewhere in the hills above Matlock in Derbyshire were Lea Gardens, and for most of that time I've been intending to visit but somehow never did - till this week.
And of course I've now fallen in love with it.
Visitors enter at the highest point in the garden and follow the maze-like paths down, along, then back up the hillside. Almost every square inch is planted and round every corner there seems more to discover. We were told that the garden isn't at its finest yet but there were plenty of flowers already appearing.
The gardens are specifically planted with rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias - all growing so tall and flowering so splendidly that they must love the soil in this place.
The cost of a season ticket was slightly less than the price of two 'day' tickets, so we took the plunge and bought season tickets. I'm fully intending to be back in a couple of weeks to see the rest of the garden open in flower, though the main display is expected to be over by June.
And younger visitors aren't forgotten. We found a couple of play areas hidden among the bushes, and rather wished we'd been small enough to play in this mock castle.
Gracious, rhododendron time already! Well, not quite... but how time is flying!
ReplyDeleteSpring does seem to be galloping along this year
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