Top Things to do in Derbyshire
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The 10 Best Gardens in Derbyshire, England
Discover the best top things to do in Derbyshire, United Kingdom including Hollies Farm Plant Centre, Hardwick Hall and Gardens, Lea Gardens, Renishaw Hall And Gardens, Bluebell Arboretum and Nursery, Pavilion Gardens, Ashbourne Recreation Ground & Memorial Gardens, Hopton Hall Gardens, Burrows Gardens, Cascades Gardens.
Restaurants in Derbyshire
1. Hollies Farm Plant Centre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 18 reviews
Hollies Farm Plant Centre is a family run plant nursery and gardens, where you can wander round the gardens to see the plants growing as they should. you can take in the breathtaking views or watch the fish etc in the two large ponds, afterwards take a walk round the nursery and choose a plant or two. We always have a large selection of old favourites plus the rare and unusual
Reviewed By Annandale8
This true plantsman's paradise in a beautiful scenic setting has an excellent selection of unusual plants.
2. Hardwick Hall and Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,480 reviews
Reviewed By Ceyzeriat - Chesterfield, United Kingdom
Hardwick Hall is one of the most important houses historically in the whole of the UK. It's not for me to say whether or not people will like what they find there but it should be on everyone's 'bucket list'! The location is stunning (forget the M1) and as the sun sets in the west, reflecting on the thousands of window panes you can imagine how the local peasantry must have marvelled at the opulence of it all.The National Trust have gone to great lengths to retain the atmosphere of an Elizabethan house and the restoration of the tapestries has been (and still is) a true labour of love. We're so lucky to live nearby and to be able to 'pop in' whenever we have a spare afternoon - we can appreciate both house and gardens in the ever changing seasons. Not to be missed and lots of things for the children to do.
3. Lea Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 208 reviews
Reviewed By O357EZians
We visited Lea Gardens for our wedding anniversary. As this was a strange time with lockdown we wanted to go out somewhere different. And we were more than pleasantly surprised, the gardens were glorious and the one-way system really well thought out, so you see the whole garden and miss absolutely nothing, which you could do without it. Toilets are really clean as was the cafe, even though it wasn't open except to sell the tickets for the garden. So, if you are visiting Matlock leave some time for here, but don't forget the blooming season for Rhododendron, Azaleas and Camellia bushes.
4. Renishaw Hall And Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 397 reviews
The current owner of Renishaw is Alexandra Sitwell and family, daughter of the late Sir Reresby and Lady Sitwell. This extraordinary family have lived at Renishaw for over 400 years. Tour the house to see some of the spectacular collection of art and historical artefacts that has been put together by generations of Sitwells. It is quite literally a treasure trove, of inestimable value to students and art lovers alike. Treasures include portraits by Sargent Salvatore Rosa and Copley. There are examples of furniture from Chippendale and magnificent tapesteries, murals by Piper and Blue John pottery. Gardens:Winner of Garden of the year award from HHA and Christie's 2015 Renishaw is rightly celebrated for the fabulous Italianate gardens. The formal garden was laid out in 1895 by Sir George Sitwell (1860-1943) in the classical Italianate style. Lady Sitwell and the late Sir Reresby restored much of the garden and enhanced the geometric design.
Reviewed By 997briant - London, United Kingdom
The gardens at this stately hall have recently reopened for the spring, summer and autumn season, and are definitely worth a visit. Renishaw Hall itself was built in 1625, by family patriarch George Sitwell, the then High Sheriff of Derbyshire. Over the centuries, succeeding generations of the Sitwell family have added to it, creating the edifice it is today. It wasn’t until the late 19th century that a beautiful Italianate garden filled with lime trees, secret garden rooms, long vistas, and a spectacular fountain were laid out by the 4th Baronet, Sir George Reresby Sitwell. Adjoining this formal garden there is also a beautiful woodland area of many acres, featuring two tranquil man-made lakes in a lower valley, formal walks, and the famed “classical temple.” The formal grounds in front of the hall are divided into areas and feature thick and angular clipped yew hedges, intriguing sculptures, ornamental ponds and classical statues. These areas host a superb collection of plants which flower throughout the season. The huge, sharply-clipped yew hedges which define the areas are manicured to perfection, and provide a symmetry to the formal garden area. As with gardens of this calibre which are open to the public, what you see when you visit is not only determined by the skill of the gardening team, but by the seasons. I think all we expected was a plethora of flowering bulb plants in the bedding areas of the formal gardens. That was somewhat the case, but it wasn’t these formal gardens which wooed us, beautiful as they were. There were actually three other garden treats in store for us. As soon as you entered the garden, our eyes were overwhelmed by a swathe of golden daffodils. The hall’s Top Lawn had been transformed into a daffodil meadow, with a huge expanse of yellow leading across to a golden statue of a heralding angel at its far end. This was a glorious spectacle to behold. It makes Wordsworth’s ‘hot of golden daffodils’ pale into insignificance. It was breathtakingly beautiful; I have never seen a sight like this in a formal garden in the spring, and i have visited many. On the edge of the daffodil meadow were seats, so you could sit awhile and feast your eyes on it. On the other side of the formal Italianate garden, a pathway lined with huge Camellia bushes in full bloom provided the next spring spectacle for us. The Camellias were at the peak of the blooming, and the plethora of white, cream, pink, red and scarlet blooms took our breath away. This floral pathway lead to the Wilderness and Classic Temple. Beyond this curious temple, as the gardens slopped down to the man-made ornamental lake, the third of the garden treats revealed itself to us: the bluebell wood. The bluebells were not at their peak at the time of our visit, but there were plenty in bloom and the carpet of blue on the slopes of the wood was appearing. It, too, was beautiful to behold. There is lots to see in the huge expanse of this garden. There are secret nooks and crannies everywhere, fish ponds, sculptures, and an area specifically for children, along Lady Ida’s Walk which leads to a substantial children’s playground area. Little ones will love the silhouettes of memorable characters such as mary Poppins, and will delight in finding a ‘fairy door’ at the base of a tree trunk. You’ll need a good few hours to explore the garden, and to just sit awhile to appreciate its beauty. The facilities were good. Adjoining the hall is the Stable Courtyard, with a number of local business operating there, and toilet facilities. In front of the Stable Courtyard was a pleasant picnic area, complete with picnic tables; whilst the cafe was closed due to COVID restrictions at the time of our visit, a ‘coffee and cake’ cart was operating, for hot and cold drinks and snacks. As you would expect, an entrance fee applies; £8.00 per person is not unreasonable. We booked online; it's important you check the website for the days it is open (it is not open daily), and entry requirements, as timed entries were required at the time of our visit. Renishaw Hall is in the county of Derbyshire in England, only three miles from Junction 30 on the M1 motorway; it is well signposted from the junction roundabout. It is a beautiful country garden, but as I mentioned, it is seasonal, so what I have described above is not what you may see when you visit.
5. Bluebell Arboretum and Nursery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 50 reviews
One of the finest collections of unusual trees and shrubs in Derbyshire, planting in our beautiful woodland garden was started in 1992 and the gardens now cover an area of nine acres. We are now an RHS partner garden and although most of the large trees are still young with the majority at under 22 years of age, many of the shrubs and smaller trees already show their full beauty of form and habit and the arboretum has become a beautiful woodland walk with rare plant treasures on display to entice the real enthusiast! There are many educational signs on display giving detailed information about the unusual plants in the gardens. Most of the plants in the gardens are available for sale from the adjoining nursery as young specimens and expert staff are on hand to give information and advice.
Reviewed By rcbc2018 - Leamington Spa, United Kingdom
Beautiful trees and the information boards give good detail and some really interesting nuggets of information. Good variety throughout, and some especially beautiful redwoods. We expected to stay for about 45 mins, but stayed 2 hours! Nicely placed benches throughout the site to sit and enjoy the space. Nursery was well stocked with some unusual plants and trees. We treated ourselves to a couple of plants, and the man running the site gave excellent advice to get the most from them in our garden.
6. Pavilion Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,777 reviews
The jewel in the crown of Buxton and the High Peak, this beautiful heritage visitor attraction provides a great day out for all the family. Boasting a 232 seat Cafe, 80 seat coffee bar, Gift Boutique, Tourist Information Centre and state of the art conference and banqueting facilities, as well as 23-acres of Heritage Green Flag award winning landscaped gardens.
7. Ashbourne Recreation Ground & Memorial Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 41 reviews
Reviewed By ditto20
Called into ashbourne and parked up on the main town car park by the co op. Noticed the direction arrow to the park. When we decided to hav our lunch we walked over to the park which is opposite the entrance to the car park. Lovely stream and ducks. There is a good field for playing ball games. There is a band stand and saw children playing in the paddling pool. There looked a good play area too it looked quite busy. There are seats in various spots and litter bins too. We sat down and enjoyed our picnic. Very pleasont.
8. Hopton Hall Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 129 reviews
Reviewed By ImperialCrimson - Chesterfield, United Kingdom
A walk round these lovely gardens in early Spring when the snowdrops are out is well worthwhile. Have a snack and a drink in the welcoming Cafe afterwards.
9. Burrows Gardens
10. Cascades Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 81 reviews
Cascades Gardens is a beautiful and interesting garden to visit in Derbyshire, in the historic village of Bonsall near Matlock. Ideal for garden enthusiasts, plantsmen and for those who just want to relax in the beautiful natural surroundings and visit a garden in Derbyshire and the Peak District. Come and explore this fascinating garden which originates from the 18th century and surrounds the ruins of a corn mill, with pond and mill race, canal and an old lead mine. Cascades gardens is set on many levels with a new "garden room" around every corner-perennial flower beds, roses, waterside planting and alpine and conifer rockeries. There is a great view from the cliff top path. Every season brings new surprises with hosts of snowdrops, hellebores, hosta, daffodils, unusual perennial flowers, shrubs, trees and conifers. A wide range of plants in the garden are available for sale in the nursery. The informal gardens have been designed to blend in with the spectacular natural landscape of rocks, cliffs and woodland. The Bonsall brook runs through the garden and flows over the ruined corn mill and many waterfalls which gives the house it's name. In the winter the water can be a torrent and in the summer a gentle trickle. Group visits are most welcome and refreshments for groups can be made available by prior arrangement. Talks are given by Alan Clements, the owner, to clubs and societies. Please contact us for details The historic village of Bonsall has many old buildings, and is a great place to walk in the hills. It has two attractive old pubs that offer a warm welcome and serve good food.
Reviewed By Bestybanana
What a surprise, well worth visit. Lots of seating areas to take in the beauty Many unusual trees water features and cascades and even a Lead Mine to explore. Refreshments available
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