Part of the Ilkeston Cam "Days
Out" Series
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LEA GARDENS, Near Matlock, Derbyshire
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A
Rare Collection In A Lovely Setting |
Where Rainbows
Grow
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Tucked away along a narrow lane between the villages
of Lea and Holloway lies one of Derbyshire's many attractions.
It would be easy to say that it lies just off the beaten track
but in Spring and early Summer that would hardly be true. Thousands
of visitors each year travel along that well worn lane to visit
the renowned Lea Gardens. Lovers of rhododendrons, azaleas, alpines
and conifers, gardeners of all abilities and the 'just plain
curious' sightseers seek out this wooded hillside to admire the
acclaimed collection of plants.
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The flowering season is relatively
short and the gardens are only open to the public between mid
March and the end of June. A field adjacent to the gardens acts
as a car park but such is the popularity of the attraction, the
parking often overflows to fill the grassy verge that runs alongside
the opposite side of the lane.
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At the end of May 2000 we visited the gardens on
a dull and cold Bank Holiday Monday but the flowering season
had been affected by the poor weather and was well and truly
over. We made a mental note at the time to revisit the gardens
in 2001, memory and weather permitting!
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Well almost a year later on the Bank Holiday Monday
at the beginning of May, the weather was perfect and a phone
call confirmed that a visit would be well worthwhile
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Although the gardens would probably be at their best
during the following week to ten days, the weather of course
could not be guaranteed so it was an opportunity not to be missed.
We were not disappointed.
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A very pleasant wander along the maze-like footpaths
amid the many coloured blossoms culminated in the return to the
building that stands above the gardens and its more formal rock
garden and pool.
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The pool was alive with creatures - tadpoles, beetles,
water snails and newts to name but a few and a variety of unusual
plants from all over the world enhanced the setting.
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Birdlife is also encouraged on the site and there
were several ornithologists following their hobby. A refreshing
drink and a homemade pastry followed by a look around the adjacent
glass house where purchases of plants could be made brought the
afternoon to a fitting climax.
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If you are ever in Derbyshire in May time and want
somewhere different to go, take our advice and search out that
narrow lane in Lea. As the publicity leaflets say it's 'Where
Rainbows Grow'. If, on the other hand, you are unable to
visit our beautiful county, you can still share the experience
if you click here to see more images
taken during our visit.
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