Felley Priory: The ‘hidden gem’ Nottinghamshire oasis with rare and exotic plants
It’s been described as one of Nottinghamshire’s ‘best kept secrets’
With summer now in full swing, and the school holidays on the horizon, many of us will be busy planning things to do.
Organising days out can sometimes be a chore, particularly if you’ve got children to keep entertained, but the good news is that here in Nottinghamshire there are loads of great things to get up to.
We all know about tourist hotspots like Clumber Park and Creswell Crags, but it’s always good to think outside the box for places you might not have visited before.
At this time of year we should be making the most of the sunshine and spending as much time outdoors as possible, which brings us nicely on to a little place in the north of the county called Felley Priory.
Built on the site of a 12th century monastery, Felley Priory is located just off the M1, near Kirby-in-Ashfield.
The priory itself isn’t open to the public, but the main attraction very much is.
To the rear of the impressive country house are 2.5 acres of lush gardens, described on the priory’s website as “one of Nottinghamshire’s best kept secrets”.
The tranquil oasis is home to many rare and unusual plants, making it a great place to spend a summer afternoon.
With features including a rose garden and small arboretum, the gardens are truly at their best during summer.
Many of the hedges are cut into the shapes of animals, only enhancing the feeling that the gardens are very much unique.
Also on site is a nursery, where visitors can purchase many of the exotic plants found in the gardens.
Admission to the gardens is £7.50 for adults and £6.50 for seniors.
More information can be found on the Felley Priory website.