Day 125 - yes you read it right . Nottinghamshire rather than Derbyshire . Underwood instead of Chesterfield . We are out and about . It is Friday . Non working day. Walk done and coffee drunk . It is time to get out on the road and do something . After yet another abortive viewing yesterday we need a change . When the viewers came they seemed less than interested . A fleeting five minute viewing . I guessed they were not interested and it turns out they dont want a bungalow . They want a house . I did mention downsizing to them but ....................... So where are we ? Are we in Gabby? No Gabby has moved not one inch . Her wheels still stand on the drive . They need pumping up but that means moving her. Perhaps tomorrow . That is a job for Saturday.
We are driving just a few miles down the M1. A journey we have undertaken many times . We are escaping . A few hours away from thinking of Covid . A few hours out in a garden. Roll back the clock . February 2020 and we were going up
to Northumberland . We had plans for weekends away in Gabby . Covid was a player in someone elses nightmare . I had planned trips - most local . Something to do once a week . This is where Felley Priory came in. I checked it out and found out that they held a snowdrop fest in the Spring . Cancelled due to flooding. The snowdrops were under water and the paths unwalkable. Move on a month March or beginning of April Daffodil Sunday . An opportunity to aid the National Garden Scheme pay our £6 to see a rare daffodil orchard. Cancelled flooding and Covid . Bluebell Wood Walk - cancelled . I was not having much luck .
Well finally I noticed that the priory was open again. Just a few days during the week . No cafe open yet but the gardens were open . It was too much to resist .
on - off with me - let us go and find this hidden gem, a tranquil garden just half a mile from the motorway . If you listen you can just about hear the cars on the M1 in the distance.
The garden is described as one of Nottinghamshires best kept secrets . Well I had never heard of it so it must be a secret . It nestles in beautiful rolling countryside and is only 2. 5 acres so quite a small garden . At £5 entry fee for wrinkleys as Sion calls us it was a reasonable price to pay to see what was described as containing both rare and unusual plants . So far so good.
We arrived and approached the priory. No brown sign. Nothing to guide you in. We almost missed the entrance . You were not looking either were you!!! A short drive took us to the gate. Locked . Shut . Impossible . I had only rung up on Tuesday and they told me they were open . As we stopped and were just on the verge of reversing the gates swung open . The car park had four cars in it . We almost had the garden to ourselves . Just us and an elderly lady with her daughter . We overtook them and tried to find the way in . Into the nursery . No paying desk just milling about people
looeking at the plants . Eventually we found the cash desk. A plastic screen separated us from the cashier cum nursery worker . We paid up and talked about masks . You dont need to wear one in here she said . I wish they would make them mandatory . We nodded in agreement .
on . We have paid and we have a short walk past the stables with the clock and bell hanging high up. Into the courtyard - the house was in front of us . Originally the priory had been founded in 1156. Dissolved in 1535 it was partially destroyed with some of the stone used to rebuild a new house and the rest to build walls in the garden . Part brick and part mellowed stone it looked a lovely house to live in. The house was plundered during the Civil War . What houses escaped ? It became an army garrison and a Royalist stronghold. The house was added to in 1860 and a lovely terraced garden area.
With the house behind us we walked down the steps into the garden . The borders were stunning . Some of
the most beautiful I have seen. Fill of colour and thick with flowers .
