Spring at Kedleston

I'm determined at this time of year to make the most of any sunny days, so when blue skies appeared last Wednesday I headed out to Kedleston. 

Despite not being far from home, Spring seems more advanced here, though perhaps that's due to the specific daffodils being grown, rather than an odd microclimate, though the Pleasure Grounds face south and are sheltered from the wind which was blowing across the Park by the bulk of the  Hall.

In the flower beds snowdrops have been succeeded by daffodils but on shaded banks these first harbingers of Spring are still in full flower.

Walking past the south front of the Hall to the far corner of the Pleasure Grounds, I found steps leading down to a door in the wall which forms the haha. I've been so many times, and suspected that somewhere there was access from the gardens to the park but have never stumbled across it before.

Following along the boundary we passed back to the main entrance of the Hall, and circled round to pick up the 'Short Walk'.

Here there were more signs of Spring - snowdrops again, early anemones growing with them under the trees, flowers on an early rhododendron and cherry tree. 

Having come out on rather a last minute whim, we hadn't planned things well, so didn't have time for much of a walk so ambled just as far as the viewpoint below which looks out over the countryside before heading home for a very late lunch.