Back to Felley Priory - gardens

Admission to Felley Priory bluebell wood is included with garden entry, so after walking to the first we decided to visit the second - though not for long as it was late afternoon and almost closing time.

Things had moved on in the garden since our last visit a few weeks ago. Some of the early spring bulbs had finished flowering, and early magnolias been replaced by later ones, but this is a delightful place with something of interest for every month. 

Later varieties of daffodil were still in flower in the orchard

Blossom appearing everywhere

Gorgeous tulips opening in the sun.

 There is an immense feeling of calm in this beautiful garden, with views out over farmland, despite being in the centre of a former mining area. 

I just wish I'd been a little earlier in the day, to be able to take my time, sit in the sun, and relax.

 

Back to Felley Priory - Bluebells

It isn't long since we visited Felley Priory gardens, but at the end of April and beginning of May there's an extra treat in store there - a wood filled with glorious bluebells.

It's separate to the gardens and reaching it involves an uphill walk (which certainly appears to get steeper towards the end) but it's not the strenuous hike to Lea Bridge bluebells  and totally worth the effort.

As you walk up there's not really any hint of the sight that greets you - a carpet of bluebells interrupted only by trees through which the track leads in a figure of eight.

Breath-taking doesn't capture how wonderful this place is, and neither do my multitude of photographs, but hopefully they've captured a feel of it.

 

Springtime at Felley Priory Gardens

I've been to Felley a couple of times before but always at bluebell time when the wood in the distance is carpeted with their blue flowers. 

This time (using my RHS partner gardens pass) I decided to go a little earlier in Spring.

It's a remarkably peaceful oasis in an area of quite high density housing, and on such a warm Spring day it was lovely to just sit and relax, and take in the view.

The stars of the garden at this point were the magnolias, just coming into flower in every shade from white to deep pink, and looking glorious against the clear blue sky.

Wander through a gateway, and there's something new to be seen - formal beds of tulips waiting to flower, drifts of daffodils in the orchard, a mix of familiar and rarer springtime bulbs, topiary birds, scented shrubs.

Bluebells again - Felley Priory

Another day, another outing to see bluebells :)

I don't really think many words are necessary, really, other than to say these were in the wonderful bluebell wood at Felley Priory, Nottinghamshire. Although the gardens there are open all year round, the wood is only open to visitors for the few weeks that bluebells flower in spring.

As the admission covers both the bluebell walk and entry to the gardens, we rounded off our afternoon with a stroll among the topiary and flower beds. For a place that's barely a mile from a busy motorway, it's amazingly quiet and peaceful. Last year was my first ever visit, despite living nearby for many years, and I intended going b ack when the roses and herbaceous borders were in flower, but never got round to it. This year I will!