Cascades Gardens
Cascades Gardens
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
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.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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See what travelers are saying
- Kitty C1 contributionThe light in the mistThis place was great. I'm so glad we came here but some thing i suggest..........Nothing that's how amazing this place is it has everything i could ever hope for. I came with my BFF and she really liked it to. This place is a cute hidden land in Bonsall Derbyshire England. I loved seeing all of the roses around the place. I came in summer July 2023 on the 11th. I suggest you should come here whenever your free but not in September-March. The place is closed then. This is one of the best places in Bonsall and Matlock you should check this place out if you ever pass by. This is a light in the mist.Visited July 2023Traveled with friendsWritten October 16, 2023
- Julie JThe Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield, United Kingdom6 contributionsGardeners delightA beautiful,peaceful garden . Full of interesting plants,trees ,ornaments and running water. A successful transformation of waste land into a Japanese Zen garden. Well worth visiting with easy village parking very close by. Also lovely bonsai trees and plants for sale at reasonable prices too.Visited June 2024Traveled with friendsWritten June 18, 2024
- Shirley EDronfield, United Kingdom415 contributionsA lovely laid back experienceA very lovely place. Easy to find, just at the entrance to Bonsall village. Easy to park, the village car park is quite big, can get a Motorhome in there. A short walk down the hill brings you to the gardens entrance. The guy who owns it came when I rang the bell. He takes your money and explains about the gardens, then gives you a route to follow. There are a number of benches on the route, the aim is to sit peacefully and just look around and have a think. It’s so lovely and peaceful. There are refreshments too and a great bonsai collection on sale.Visited August 2024Traveled soloWritten August 31, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
105 reviews
Excellent
63
Very good
23
Average
11
Poor
5
Terrible
3
Jane H
Walsall, UK30 contributions
Jun 2021
I feel that we really didn’t see this garden at its best. Maybe it’s better on a sunny day a bit earlier in the season when there is more colour, but it felt unkempt and a bit tatty in places, the Buddha was in need of TLC, and there is apparently no cascading water at this time of year. The owner clearly loves it, but we didn’t think the £7 per person entry fee was in any way justified. Smaller than you think, self-service refreshments, and the toilet is in a verandah that could do with cleaning.
Written June 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nediloperai
Penrith, UK8 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
This is supposedly a garden for relaxation and reflection.
The owner greeted us and he has retired from his job in marketing so he markets his achievements instead.
We were told there were 15 seats we could sit on and that was the aim of the exercise. We were given a sheet to follow. It felt like being on a school trip! Signs directed which way to go but we went wherever we could as we were chasing the people in front of us. We did not relax although we did reflect that we were pleased we had only paid £7 for the two of us by using Gardener’s world garden voucher.
The refreshments were self service and yet we’re not priced accordingly. We actually had coffee and cakes served to us in a beautiful tearoom at a cheaper rate.
Too much crammed in and we don’t like being told what to do and when!
The owner greeted us and he has retired from his job in marketing so he markets his achievements instead.
We were told there were 15 seats we could sit on and that was the aim of the exercise. We were given a sheet to follow. It felt like being on a school trip! Signs directed which way to go but we went wherever we could as we were chasing the people in front of us. We did not relax although we did reflect that we were pleased we had only paid £7 for the two of us by using Gardener’s world garden voucher.
The refreshments were self service and yet we’re not priced accordingly. We actually had coffee and cakes served to us in a beautiful tearoom at a cheaper rate.
Too much crammed in and we don’t like being told what to do and when!
Written June 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David A
West Bridgford, UK1,030 contributions
Mar 2022 • Couples
Visited this after reading about its thousand hellebores in the RHS literature. As an RHS member admission was free but it was £7 per person otherwise.
There is a small car park but just past it is an overflow car park which is larger.
On arrival we were met by the owner who told us about the garden, it’s history and the best way round, plus a sheet describing what to see. You followed this which took you past the many meditation seats. At the start was a part being transformed into a Japanese garden.
There were lots of hellebores and most in flower but most were small and with a few stems so lacked the glories of established hellebores. There was lots of water some cascading, some gently flowing and others in ponds.
It had paths up the hillside but some had large uneven steps but once up there were good views of the gardens.
There was a shaft into the hillside into an old lead mine which you could explore.
This was an enjoyable visit but would no doubt be better when more plants were established/in bloom.
There is a small car park but just past it is an overflow car park which is larger.
On arrival we were met by the owner who told us about the garden, it’s history and the best way round, plus a sheet describing what to see. You followed this which took you past the many meditation seats. At the start was a part being transformed into a Japanese garden.
There were lots of hellebores and most in flower but most were small and with a few stems so lacked the glories of established hellebores. There was lots of water some cascading, some gently flowing and others in ponds.
It had paths up the hillside but some had large uneven steps but once up there were good views of the gardens.
There was a shaft into the hillside into an old lead mine which you could explore.
This was an enjoyable visit but would no doubt be better when more plants were established/in bloom.
Written March 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rosie W
Alexandria, Egypt4 contributions
May 2022
First visit and I doubt I will return. The adjacent busy road is too noisy and distracting for quiet reflection; especially as the garden is not large and a tour is quickly completed.
Lower the entry fee; not worth the £7 for what is on offer., garden wise. Perhaps it will become more interesting as summer progresses.
A selection of sandwiches was advertised on the brochure, but only cake to be had in the self service cafe. (It was lunchtime when we visited). Perhaps the owners will improve the selection once the season gets under way. A good eatery is always a draw, when other family members are not so interested in plants, as was the case today.
I did not come away feeling refreshed, or indeed, inspired in any way.
Lower the entry fee; not worth the £7 for what is on offer., garden wise. Perhaps it will become more interesting as summer progresses.
A selection of sandwiches was advertised on the brochure, but only cake to be had in the self service cafe. (It was lunchtime when we visited). Perhaps the owners will improve the selection once the season gets under way. A good eatery is always a draw, when other family members are not so interested in plants, as was the case today.
I did not come away feeling refreshed, or indeed, inspired in any way.
Written May 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
glenmb
Mansfield, UK4 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
I have driven by this garden several times, and it’s name Cascade Gardens led my imagination to think of cascading water and lush planting.
After a short lecture and moan by Allan who was initially speaking to someone on the telephone for a good 5 minutes as a couple and ourselves arrived he hung up and acknowledged us. The couple in front had had enough and left, I wish we did too. What a waste of a hard to come by £16 which Allan believed to be nothing.
We feel robbed. The planting was no better than our own garden, if there were any waterfalls they were not operational, a pond filled with about an inch of water seemed to be the main feature, according to Alan.
£2.20 to pour yourself an instant coffee from a Burco boiler.
We left after around £15 minutes, and didn’t provide feedback at the time, I don’t think our comments would have been appreciated.
Avoid.
After a short lecture and moan by Allan who was initially speaking to someone on the telephone for a good 5 minutes as a couple and ourselves arrived he hung up and acknowledged us. The couple in front had had enough and left, I wish we did too. What a waste of a hard to come by £16 which Allan believed to be nothing.
We feel robbed. The planting was no better than our own garden, if there were any waterfalls they were not operational, a pond filled with about an inch of water seemed to be the main feature, according to Alan.
£2.20 to pour yourself an instant coffee from a Burco boiler.
We left after around £15 minutes, and didn’t provide feedback at the time, I don’t think our comments would have been appreciated.
Avoid.
Written September 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sorry I kept you waiting for 2 or 3 minutes - I was on the phone to the hospital on an urgent health issue. The people left before you chose to come back another day to get the benefit of our RHS concession on Mondays.
The garden is full of rare plants and trees, as admired by our many visitors. The Japanese water garden has Acers, black bamboo and other interesting plants and the bonsai nursery offers rare Japanese and Chinese bonsai trees. The waterfalls are always a trickle at this time of the year, as the water tables are very low - come early in the year and all of them will be in full flow.
Our refreshments is a self serve area with a wide choice of hot and cold drinks, biscuits and highly praised homemade cakes / sandwiches made to order during the busy season.
Written September 28, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
lesleygoodall60
Stoke-on-Trent, UK8 contributions
I think the best time to go must be Springtime? It was £7 each to go in and we thought overpriced!! I was looking forward to the Cascades and there weren't any!! The 162 photographs on Google are old ones. Maybe from when the gardens were first done? The conifer garden was almost non existent as was the Clematis growing up the Pergola. The plants in flower were lovely but nothing unusual. We climbed up to the Viewpoint and admit it looked better from above. We may visit again in Spring when we visit Lea Garden just to see if it comes to life especially with Waterfalls!!
Written July 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter H
Newcastle Upon Tyne41 contributions
Sep 2021
Our third visit to our favourite garden situated in a linear quarried valley with stream, mill race and a genuine former lead mine which gives you a feel of the horrors of C19th or earlier mining. End of season but still plenty of interest the garden is a series of”rooms” with seats in each and write ups which means you miss nothing and really relax. Particularly liked the newly revamped cliff walk with great views over the garden and the Chinese garden. The owner and his colleague are happy to chat and very interesting and informative. Intrigued by the new venture inti bonsai and seeing the trees in “training”. Apparently an RHS partner garden next year so get there early before the crowds
Written September 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kay D
Nuneaton, UK53 contributions
Mar 2022
A small but lovely quarry garden. So many different paths and places to sit and take in different views. Visited because of the notice RHS re the thousand hellebores, and whilst there is not a huge variety there certainly were plenty and they looked lovely in this stunning setting with so much more of interest. It was not busy but I am sure even if it was you would find somewhere peaceful to sit and take in the view. Of particular delight was Jake, the cat, who greeted us, and lead us on a tour. The top ponds have been restored. We will definitely be going back (even though it is about a 90 minute drive away) to see the gardens in different seasons.
Written May 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shirley E
Dronfield, UK415 contributions
Aug 2024 • Solo
A very lovely place. Easy to find, just at the entrance to Bonsall village. Easy to park, the village car park is quite big, can get a Motorhome in there. A short walk down the hill brings you to the gardens entrance. The guy who owns it came when I rang the bell. He takes your money and explains about the gardens, then gives you a route to follow. There are a number of benches on the route, the aim is to sit peacefully and just look around and have a think. It’s so lovely and peaceful. There are refreshments too and a great bonsai collection on sale.
Written August 31, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deb F
Milton Keynes, UK63 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
Decided to pop in here on way home after a little break in Peak District! So glad we did, what a marvellous place! We were there longer than expected and found it a beautiful and peaceful garden. Well organised with a guidance sheet and viewing benches in an ordered trail that was both eclectic and natural, something there to please everyone. Alan is welcoming and interesting, has a pretty and very friendly tabby cat called Jake who is living the dream in these gardens! We couldn’t resist buying a couple of plants before we left too! Highly recommend if you like visiting unusual and natural gardens.
Written June 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
will i need to book a garden visit on Fathers day for 3 people? Or can we just turn up?
Written June 13, 2019
We are open everyday, no booking required
Written June 14, 2019
Would it be open inApril this year 2016?
Written March 19, 2016
In 2019, the garden is open from 1 March till end of September, 10am till 5pm, last entry 4pm. See the garden's website for up to date information.
Written March 25, 2019
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