The Gardens in May at Bluebell Arboretum and Nursery
Sit by the pond at Bluebell Arboretum and Nursery

Bluebell Arboretum & Nursery - Woodland Gardens

Due to the closure of parts of the B5006 between Ashby and Ticknell in mid March 2024, easiest access to our nursery and gardens during roadworks is from Ashby road (join at A511 roundabout at Boundary), turning onto Annwell Lane after half a mile, next to the Tap House pub.


One of the finest collections of unusual trees and shrubs in Derbyshire, planting in our beautiful woodland garden surrounds our nursery and was started in 1992.

The gardens now cover an area of nine acres. We are a Royal Horticultural Society partner garden and although most of the large trees are still young with the majority at under 30 years of age, many of the shrubs and smaller trees already show their full beauty of form and habit and the arboretum has become a beautiful woodland walk with rare plant treasures on display to entice the real enthusiast!

We have over one hundred different Magnolia planted in the gardens, a collection of flowering dogwoods, giant redwoods, oaks, birch trees and much more. There are many educational signs on display giving detailed information about the unusual plants in the gardens.

Most of the plants on display in the gardens are available for sale from the adjoining nursery as young specimens and there are expert staff on hand to give information and advice about any plants which catch your eye.

Due to the very wet autumn & winter weather this year, walking boots or wellies are currently recommended when visiting the gardens.

Admission Charges

We are a Royal Horticultural Society Partner Garden, RHS members are admitted to the gardens free of charge (on presentation of a valid membership card. Without a card normal charges apply).

Adults - £6.00 each

Concessions - £5.00 each (over 60's, students & disabled)

Children & teenagers under 18 - FREE

12 Month Pass (visit as many times as you fancy in a year) - £18.00

Our Gardens are part of the Gardner's World 2 for one scheme. Please bring your card with you when you visit if applicable.

Access to our adjoining plant nursery is free of charge.

  • Large car park on site with space for a coach.
  • Toilets (inc disabled accessible) available on site.
  • We do not have a cafe but picnics may be taken into the gardens with you (rubbish must be taken away with you please!)
  • Guide dogs only.
  • No ball games are allowed
  • The garden has grass paths & walking boots or wellies will be necessary during or after periods of very wet weather! The grass paths are wheelchair accessible in dry weather but can be difficult when wet or frozen. If you wish to check the current conditions before visiting please call our office on (01530) 413700.
  • Please be aware that despite our name, we are not a bluebell wood! We are called Bluebell Arboretum and Nursery as when the nursery started in 1979, we were in a different location right next to a pub called the Bluebell in the local village of Blackfordby. As we shared a car park with the pub it seemed (all those years ago!) sensible to use a similar name so that visitors could find us easily. We do have a huge collection of unusual trees and shrubs on display in the gardens but alas, few bluebells so far. Please do not visit us to see Bluebells alone, you will be disappointed! The best local place to see them is probably the nearby National Trust property - Calke Abbey.
Autumn colour at Bluebell Arboretum and Nursery
late autumn at Bluebell Arboretum and Nursery
Spring flowers at Bluebell Arboretum and Nursery
Acer autumn colour at Bluebell Arboretum and Nursery
Mural on stable block in gardens
Cornus kousa 'Miss Satomi' autumn colour at Bluebell Arboretum and Nursery

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