North Wales has many beautiful gardens. Here’s Rebekka O’Grady’s favourites
Make the most of the light nights and longer days this summer with a visit to some of North Wales’s most spectacular gardens. On the doorstep are lush gardens and landscapes, many of which are open all year round.
If you ever needed an extra reason to visit, why not attend during the Festival of Gardens? This is a 16-day event celebrating those that are considered the jewels in the crown of North Wales. Running from May 27 to June 11, the festival will see 24 gardens open their gates to thousands of visitors. Last year, the inaugural event brought almost 44,000 visitors to the beauty spots. From behind the scenes guided tours to photography competitions, there’s sure to be something for all the family to enjoy.
We’ve selected some of our favourites, many of which are participating in the festival.
For more information on those involved, visit www.gardensnorthwales.co.uk
Plas Cadnant
This stunning garden, restored by head gardener and owner, Anthony Tavernor, hosts numerous events each month. Wander around the two acre formal walled garden with pool, lose yourself in the woodland or take in the views over the picturesque Valley Gardens. During the festival, there will also be a Red Squirrel Walk (June 4th), where you can learn much more about some of Plas Cadnant’s most charming residents.
Cadnant Road, Menai Bridge, LL59 5NH
Bodnant Garden
Set above the River Conwy with stunning views across the Snowdonia Range, Bodnant is an historic, Grade I listed horticultural gem, home to botanical collections from around the globe. Its Laburnum Arch is not to be missed, nor is the amazing collection of rhododendrons, camellias and magnolias. A special Dawn Chorus Walk (May 29th, £20) will be held during the festival, which includes a magical tour of the garden at dawn, exclusive viewing of the Laburnum Arch and expert bird watching advice.
Bodnant Road, Tal-y-cafn, Colwyn Bay, LL28 5RE
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bodnant-garden
Plas Brondanw Gardens
Given to Sir Clough Williams-Ellis by his father in 1902, the gardens at Plas Brondanw are the finest example of Sir Clough’s talent for creative landscape design. Set within the Snowdonia National Park, this unique and characterful garden landscape has a series of dramatic and romantic areas. The gardens have been inspired by those of renaissance Italy, with strong architectural influences.
Gerddi Plas Brondanw Gardens, Llanfrothen, Gwynedd, LL48 6SW
Caerau Gardens
At over 1,000ft, Caerau Gardens are the highest private gardens open to the public in North Wales. The story started in 1994 when Toby and Stephanie Hickish moved to Wales from Wiltshire and transformed a derelict farmhouse, field and overgrown hedge into a stunning home and gardens, which are now open to visitors. Families with children will be entertained by the large sunken trampoline and woodland, complete with fort and zip wire.
Caerau Uchaf, Bala, Gwynedd, LL23 7LG
Aber Artro Hall
Paul and Carolyn Morgan have lovingly restored this Arts and Crafts period house and its gardens, which were originally designed by the fashionable architect, Charles Edward Bateman in 1910. The couple added ten garden ‘rooms’, including an Italian courtyard, rock and pond, Japanese, William Morris rose garden and walled kitchen gardens, all of which are available to view via appointment.
Llanbedr, Gwynedd, LL45 2PA
Plas Tan y Bwlch
These Victorian gardens are a destination for all seasons, and contain many rare and exotic shrubs and trees from around the world. Located in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park, the garden includes formal terraces, sloping lawns, ornamental shrubs and coniferous trees, some of which were planted in Victorian times. There is also an informal, largely shaded woodland garden, a semi-wild area which form habitats for a wide variety of birds, insects, small mammals and wild flowers.
Snowdonia National Park, Maentwrog, Blaenau Ffestiniog, LL41 3YU
www.eryri-npa.gov.uk/study-centre
Erddig
This 1,200-acre estate is packed full of stories of times gone by. Trained fruit trees, a national ivy collection and impressive water features will wow you in the impressive walled garden, which was restored to its 18th-century formal design, and the grand parkland, designed by William Emes, is home to one of his most original features, a cylindrical cascade - also known as the ‘cup and saucer’.
Erdigg, Marchwiel, Wrexham, LL13 0YT
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/erddig
This article appeared in Life in North Wales, a new publication from the publishers on Cheshire Life.
Click here to read a digital version of Life in North Wales.
