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 Some of the early spring bulbs had finished flowering, and early magnolias been replaced by later ones, but this is a delightful place with something of interest for every month.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.

Clumber Park

Clumber Park used to be the site of one of the huge stately homes that gave this area of Nottinghamshire the name 'The Dukeries'. Now though all that remains are a Gothic Revival chapel, various practical buildings which now provide visitor facilities, and a walled garden. The formal gardens are long gone too, but nothing has disturbed the wider estate. 

Clumber's situated at one of those awkward distances from home which seem a bit far for an afternoon out so we haven't visited for maybe thirty years! As a result we didn't know where paths led through the estate and the maps on display didn't seem overly helpful as there were no distances marked. I'd checked out routes on the NT website the day before and thought a couple of short walks looked good - but these didn't seem to be marked on the display boards or by signposts.

After a potter along the lakeside by the chapel, looking at the amazing number of swans, we thought we'd put off any decision making by having lunch, with a distant lake view through the gap in the hedge.

And then headed southwest roughly parallel to the lake.

My intention was to walk as far as the bridge which separates the two lakes. It's quite a famous (or infamous bridge) - used for years as part of the Lombard RAC Rally with high performance cars flying over its high point as a 'yump', and later smashed up my locals presumably attempting the same but smashing into the balustrade. 

By now I'd worked up some enthusiasm for walking, and, spurred on by spotting a sign which said it was only two miles to Hardwick village at the far end of the lake, we decided to continue.

The far side of the lake seemed wilder in comparison to the terraces of the former house site, and affords good views back to the chapel

Unfortunately, by roughly the halfway point, I started to find a problem with one knee - it's a small recurring thing not of much trouble usually but I'd upset it somehow this day and of course at a point where to return would be as long as carrying on forward. So I hobbled the rest of the way (and of course I didn't moan - a lot). Fortunately there were seats along the way, though each short rest was longer than the last.

The early sunset due to the clock change took me a bit by surprise, and by the time we reached Hardwick it was setting. The paths were still easy to see - broad and well surfaced - but if I'm to be out much as winter comes I must remember to check distance and daylight hours.