End of season visit to Lea Gardens

Despite being 'local' Lea Gardens are a recent discovery. I first visited at the beginning of April as it was coming into flower, then later in the month when it was stunning. Having bought a season pass, I'd intended going back again in May or June, but life and weather got in the way, and I've only just found time to go back.

Polar Bear at a distance

Being a garden devoted to rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias, it's definitely past its peak now, but there are still a few flowers lingering on, and a couple of huge late-flowering 'Polar Bear' shrubs still full of buds!

Polar Bear close up

In the upper section, the acers are more noticeable now the rest of the garden is more subdued, and hidden behind a huge clump of gunnera we found a pond with delightful water lilies.

Although the gardens close at the end of this month, as a season pass holder I can visit all year round, and I've been told the deciduous azaleas are wonderful in autumn, so I'll be trying to visit again.

Rhododendrons again - Lea Gardens

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.