Cascades Gardens
Cascades Gardens
4.5
Nature & Wildlife Areas • Gardens • Scenic Walking Areas
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10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 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.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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82 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
96 reviews
Excellent
57
Very good
21
Average
11
Poor
5
Terrible
2
Vicky Pale
Kenilworth, UK8 contributions
Mar 2020 • Friends
Despite the blustery day, these gardens are truly inspirational. I can see us visiting again and again when I visit my friend who lives nearby.
We had the chance of a lovely chat with the creator Alan, a really interesting character, whose motivation devised built this garden. Working with the landscape which isn’t easy there are delightful surprises at each turn as you walk around.
We had the chance of a lovely chat with the creator Alan, a really interesting character, whose motivation devised built this garden. Working with the landscape which isn’t easy there are delightful surprises at each turn as you walk around.
Written March 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Marythirza
4 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
Our first outing since Covid lockdown. What a treat. Well worth the visit. We really enjoyed it. It's easy under foot. Good hand written explanation garden guide with 10 points to see, benches at each point for you to sit and contemplate. Tea, coffee, sandwiches and cake all reasonably priced. There is car parking for a few cars, but large car park next to it.
As we have had a dry spell waterfalls/cascades were not in full flow, just a trickle. We will definitely be back later in the year for a different perspective.
As we have had a dry spell waterfalls/cascades were not in full flow, just a trickle. We will definitely be back later in the year for a different perspective.
Written April 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Peter H
Newcastle Upon Tyne44 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.
truly s
5 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
A unusual find ,we have been twice here as a lovely little place and the owner is interesting. Beautiful scenery and waterfalls and fountains are done very well. If you like a little wander and water this is for you. However second time we visited on a 2-1 gardeners world card ,the days and prices allowed to use card had been changed and this was different to the current book for that year and the web site.
So we nearly walked away not entering gardens as were asked we would have to unfortunately pay full price,owner did feel bad however about this ,so he granted we get it for half price , however we were it seemed in the right on that day allowed to visit and using the card ,we also discovered later we were charged £8 and not as advertised £7 ,
So all I'd say is if you do visit and have such discount cards check directly with owner to avoid disappointment. Doubt we will return sadly as too far to visit to have to do something else if again days or prices alter . Worth a visit though if your after something a little different.
So we nearly walked away not entering gardens as were asked we would have to unfortunately pay full price,owner did feel bad however about this ,so he granted we get it for half price , however we were it seemed in the right on that day allowed to visit and using the card ,we also discovered later we were charged £8 and not as advertised £7 ,
So all I'd say is if you do visit and have such discount cards check directly with owner to avoid disappointment. Doubt we will return sadly as too far to visit to have to do something else if again days or prices alter . Worth a visit though if your after something a little different.
Written March 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nediloperai
Penrith, UK7 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.
David A
West Bridgford, UK1,015 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.
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.
Jane H
Walsall, UK15 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.
Kay D
Nuneaton, UK20 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.
lesleygoodall60
Stoke-on-Trent, UK7 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.
will i need to book a garden visit on Fathers day for 3 people? Or can we just turn up?
Alan C
Matlock, UK71 contributions
We are open everyday, no booking required
terryandjudy
Northampton, UK29 contributions
Would it be open inApril this year 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.
Cascades Gardens (Bonsall) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Cascades Gardens
- Cascades Gardens is open:
- Sun - Sat 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Cascades Gardens:
- (0.04 mi) Cascades House and Gardens
- (0.22 mi) Pig of Lead
- (0.22 mi) The Fountain Tea Rooms Bed and Breakfast
- (0.35 mi) Weavers cottage
- (0.56 mi) Townhead Farmhouse Bed and Breakfast
- Restaurants near Cascades Gardens:
- (0.22 mi) The Fountain Tea Rooms
- (0.42 mi) The Barley Mow
- (0.36 mi) The Kings Head
- (0.93 mi) The Seafood Cave And Grill
- (0.78 mi) Kostas Fish Bar