By Abigail Whyte

Published: Tuesday, 13 December 2022 at 12:00 am

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From vibrant daffodil displays to an Elizabethan garden, we recommend the best gardens to visit in Wales.

For more inspiration for days out, don’t miss our guide to the best places to pick your own flowers and Britain’s best water gardens.

Gardens to visit in Wales

Bodnant Garden, Conwy

Bodnant Garden, which was conceived in the 1870s by the industrial chemist Henry Pochin, is most famous for its terraces, beautiful herbaceous borders and laburnum arch, but it also has a fabulous spring display of daffodils.

If like me your preference is for the smaller types then look out for the early flowering Narcissus cyclamineus and the small, lemon-yellow Narcissus ‘Cedric Morris’, which has been known to flower at Christmas. However, the main daffodil display kicks off in March when the Old Park meadow and grassy Glades are carpeted in yellow. Chosen by Keith Wiley

Bodnant Garden, Tal-y-Cafn, near Colwyn Bay, Conwy LL28 5RE, nationaltrust.org.uk

National Botanic Gardens of Wales, Carmarthenshire

The Great Glasshouse is the largest single span greenhouse in the world and home to some of the rarest plants from six areas of the world; California, Australia, The Canary Islands, Chile, South Africa and the Mediterranean Basin. You can cover countries and continents over 3,500 square metres in the walk around the dome. Great to visit on a rainy day. 

National Botanic Gardens of Wales, Llanarthne, Carmarthenshire SA32 8HN, botanicgarden.wales

Llanerchaeron, Lampeter

Built in the late 18th century the walled gardens at Llanerchaeron have been producing fruit and vegetables for over 200 years. Originally a high tech hive of Georgian industry the gardens have a much more romantic and dreamy feeling about them today. There are 51 varieties of apple, a farm and lake surrounding the elegant Georgian villa, set in the wooded Aeron valley.

Llanerchaeron, Ciliau Aeron, Lampeter SA48 8DG, nationaltrust.org.uk

Tredegar House, Newport

This National Trust parkland is home to three formal gardens: an orangery, an orchard and a garden containing a centuries-old Lebanese Cedar. 

Tredegar House, Pencarn Way, Newport, NP10 8YW. Tel 01633 815880, nationaltrust.org.uk

Aberglasney Gardens, Carmarthenshire

The fully restored Elizabethan Cloister Garden at Aberglasney in Carmarthenshire is one of the only surviving examples of its kind in the UK. Surrounding the Grade II listed mansion is a wealth of hidden garden gems, from woodland areas to pockets of exotic planting.

Aberglasney Gardens, Llangathen, Carmarthenshire SA32 8QH, aberglasney.org

 

Don’t miss our gardens to visit guide.

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