Top 11 Gardens in Wales

With all of that wonderful rainfall, it is no wonder that Wales is known for its spectacular gardens! Welsh gardens are lush and green and range from medieval times to the late twentieth century. Welsh gardens are an integral part of the rich historic and cultural fabric of the country. Here are the top gardens in Wales:

Aberglasney House and Gardens

Spectacularly set in the beautiful Tywi valley of Carmarthenshire, Aberglasney House features one of the finest gardens in Wales. Aberglasney Gardens have been an inspiration to poets since 1477. The story of Aberglasney spans many centuries, but, the house's origins are still shrouded in obscurity.

Bodnant Gardens

Marvel at plants from all over the world grown from seed and cuttings collected over a century ago on plant-hunting expeditions. Created by five generations of one family, this 80-acre garden is superbly located, with spectacular views across Snowdonia.

With expansive lawns and intimate corners, grand ponds and impressive terraces, a steep wooded valley and stream, as well as awe-inspiring plant collections, there are continually changing glorious displays of color.

Paths throughout Bodnant Garden allow visitors to explore, discover and delight in its beauty - enjoy the clean, fresh fragrances of nature.

Chirk Castle

Completed in 1310, Chirk is the last Welsh castle from the reign of Edward I that's still lived in today. Features from its 700 years include the medieval tower and dungeon, 17th-century Long Gallery, grand 18th-century state apartments, servants' hall and historic laundry.

The award-winning gardens contain clipped yews, herbaceous borders, shrub and rock gardens. A terrace with stunning views looks out over the Cheshire and Salop plains.

The parkland provides a habitat for rare invertebrates, wild flowers and contains many mature trees and also some splendid wrought-iron gates, made in 1719 by the Davies brothers.

Dyffryn Gardens

Dyffryn Gardens are an exceptional example of Edwardian garden design, covering more than 55 acres featuring a stunning collection of intimate garden rooms, formal lawns and seasonal bedding. There is also a statuary collection, and an arboretum featuring trees from all over the world.

Within the gardens, Dyffryn House, a grand Victorian mansion overlooks the key aspects of the gardens. Significant parts of the ground and first floors have been restored to their Victorian splendour and are now open to the public.

Designed by eminent landscape architect Thomas Mawson, the gardens are the early 20th-century vision of industrialist John Cory and his son Reginald.

Erddig

Widely acclaimed as one of Britain's finest historic houses, Erddig is a fascinating yet unpretentious early 18th-century country house reflecting the upstairs downstairs life of a gentry family over 250 years.

The extensive downstairs area contains Erddig's unique collection of servants' portraits, while the upstairs rooms are an amazing treasure trove of fine furniture, textiles and wallpapers.

Outside, an impressive range of outbuildings includes stables, smithy, joiners' shop and sawmill.

The setting is a superb 18th-century formal garden and romantic landscape park.

National Botanic Garden of Wales

The National Botanic Garden of Wales is set on historic parkland, dating back around 400 years. Visitors can see how we’ve restored some wonderful remnants of the Middleton Regency Water Park, especially the Double Walled Garden, Principality House, the Stables and the Lakes.

Penrhyn Castle

This enormous 19th-century neo-Norman castle sits between Snowdonia and the Menai Strait.

It's crammed with fascinating items, such as a one-ton slate bed made for Queen Victoria, elaborate carvings, plasterwork and mock-Norman furniture. It also has an outstanding collection of paintings.

The restored kitchens are a delight and the stable block houses a fascinating industrial railway museum and a model railway museum.

The 60 acres of grounds include parkland, an exotic tree and shrub collection as well as a Victorian walled garden.

Plas Newydd Country House and Gardens

Set on the shores of the Menai Strait amidst breathtakingly beautiful scenery, this elegant house was redesigned by James Wyatt in the 18th century. The 1930s restyled interior is famous for its Rex Whistler association and contains his exquisite romantic mural and the largest exhibition of his works.

A military museum contains relics from the First Marquess of Anglesey's tenure, who commanded the cavalry at the Battle of Waterloo.

There's a fine spring garden and Australasian arboretum, with an understorey of shrubs and wild flowers, an italianate-style summer terrace, and massed hydrangeas which give autumn colour.

A woodland walk gives access to a marine path beside the Menai Strait.

From the house and grounds, the views across the Menai Strait to the mountains of Snowdonia are simply stunning.

Powis Castle and Garden

The world-famous garden, overhung with clipped yews, shelters rare and tender plants. Laid out under the influence of Italian and French styles, it retains its original lead statues and an orangery on the terraces. High on a rock above the terraces, the castle, originally built circa 1200, began life as a medieval fortress.

Remodelled and embellished over more than 400 years, it reflects the changing needs and ambitions of the Herbert family - each generation adding to the magnificent collection of paintings, sculpture, furniture and tapestries.

A superb collection of treasures from India is displayed in the Clive Museum.

Please note, due to the medieval deer park, we regret no dogs are allowed.

Portmeirion

Portmeirion is a fairy tale Italianate village on the coast of Snowdonia with gardens, beaches, shops, restaurants and hotels. Open daily all
year.

St. Fagans: National History Museum

St Fagans is one of Europe's leading open-air museums and Wales's most popular heritage attraction. It stands in the grounds of the magnificent St Fagans Castle, a late 16th-century manor house donated to the people of Wales by the Earl of Plymouth.

St Fagans Castle is a Grade 1 listed building and one of the finest Elizabethan manor houses in Wales. Beautiful garden displays surround the Castle including an Italian Garden (laid out in 1902, restored in 2003) and thyme garden, while there are many features original to the site. Fish ponds, fountains, a mulberry grove, vinery and an exquisite Rosery add depth and colour to the Museum’s grounds.  The gardens are perhaps the best-kept secret at St Fagans, from those of the gentry to the cottage gardens that provided food for working families.

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