The Old Vicarage

The garden visiting season has started again! For the past three years the National Garden Scheme has been running a Snowdrop Festival to encourage visitors to early flowering gardens. We decided to make our way to Middleton by Wirksworth in the Derbyshire Dales near Matlock.

As its name suggests it was once the home of the vicar of the parish and the house and gardens now sit at the back of the church yard. The bottom of the garden has views reaching out into the Derbyshire countryside.

In February and March the beds are awash with the white of snowdrops. They shelter in the shadow of the stone walls. If you wrap up warm you can view them from inside the garden house.

Once inside you can admire the wood carvings. You'll find images of the Green Man around the garden.

Inside here the Green Man has some mammal accompaniment in the form of some mice.

Despite the harshness of the winters in these parts the palm tree is looking lush and healthy.

The recent strong winds also managed to leave the unusual conifer unscathed.

Behind the palm tree and conifer you can see the back of wall of the Old Vicarage. In summer this will be covered in the leaves and blooms of the aptly named Rambling Rector rose.

Whatever time of year it is you can always bring colour into your garden with a range of pots. This seasonal display incorporates hellebores.

The garden is also home to a number of feathered friends. Apparently the chickens were furious at being cooped up for the day. Next door the doves seemed quite cosy despite the arrival of two pigeon interlopers.

In the vegetable plot the last of the winter crops remain before the new season's crops are put in.

Our last stop in the garden was the orchard. The ground was covered in crocuses. A welcome flash of colour before the spring blossom arrives.

After that there was time for just one more thing – tea and cake of course!

The Old Vicarage will be open again for the National Garden Scheme on Saturday 7^th and Sunday 8^th July 2018.