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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 |
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. |