Gardens and Country Parks
Dyffryn Gardens, St. Nicholas, nr. Cardiff
The finest surviving Thomas Mawson garden in Britain set in 70 acres of spectacular landscaped parkland. Restoration funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund is nearing completion. Features include the Pompeian garden, reflecting pool, theatre garden, Italianate terraces, cloister garden, physick garden, rose garden, lavender court, vine walk, alpine garden and arboretum. Tel 029 2059 3328 Website
St. Fagans Castle, The Museum of Welsh Life
Formal gardens, borders and a modern knot garden. Terraces descending to a series of lakes. Some landscaping by James Pulham. Restoration of the rosary has recently been completed. In the museum, period gardens are being created around reconstructed buildings from all parts of Wales. Tel 029 2057 3500 Website
Cosmeston Lakes Country Park
South of the M4 and close to the Glamorgan Heritage Coast . Over 200 acres of stunning lakes, woodlands and meadows open to the public all year round, with a vast variety of flora and fauna and migrating wildlife en route to sunnier climates. You will find exotic trees and mossy wetlands teeming with life , beautiful tiny wildflowers, quiet secluded corners and wide open pastures. Website
Porthkerry Country Park
Situated a mile west of Barry and close to the Glamorgan Heritage Coast are the spacious 220 acres of parkland, the dominant feature of the park being its fine 500 metre long grass meadow flanked by rich deciduous woodlands. Amble down to the Seafront and explore the shoreline or climb the steps to the top of the cliffs with wonderful views across the sea or inland towards the impressive viaduct that runs through the park. Telephone 01446 733589.
Insole Court, Fairwater Road, Llandaff
This 19th century baronial house retains its immediate pleasure garden with balustraded terraces and a magnificent Cedar of Lebannon. Open all year in daylight hours, free of charge.
The Bishop’s Palace, The Green, Llandaff.
An enclosed town garden with modern herbaceous planting including fragrant herbs within medieval walls, in the centre of Llandaff near the Cathedral. Open all year in daylight hours, free of charge.
Bute Park
In the heart of the capital alongside city centre shopping lies Bute Park, the extensive grounds of Cardiff Castle. Wander in this fine parkland amongst many ancient trees where peacocks, ducks and geese wander freely with the castle as a backdrop with its 12th Century Norman Keep and enchanting fairytale towers.
Cefyn Onn Park. Three miles from Cardiff , informal Edwardian Woodland renowned for its rhododendrons and azaleas.
Fonmon Castle
Pleasure walled and kitchen gardens with herbaceous borders, flowering shrubs and unusual trees surrounding a medieval castle. Open April- September on Tues and Wed afternoons only. Tel 01446 710206.
A Physic Garden for Cowbridge (coming soon)
Today in the heart of Cowbridge and within an area bounded on the south and west by the medieval town walls, lie Old Hall gardens. By the eighteenth century Old Hall was the home of the Edmundes family who laid out the gardens and continued to live in the Hall until the 1920s. It is remarkable that this garden should have survived in an open space within the town. In the year that Cowbridge celebrates the 750th Anniversary of its Foundation Charter, the South and Mid Glamorgan Branch of the Welsh Historic Gardens Trust proposes to restore this walled garden, create a Physic garden within its walls and provide a new free public garden with educational and scientific value, a colourful, fragrant and tranquil oasis within the town.
The National Gardens Scheme
(In aid of Nurses Charities including the Macmillan Nurses).
Hon County Organiser Mrs Rosamund Davies Tel 01656 880048
Gardens open in Glamorgan 2004
By appointment only (private visits welcomed)
Sunday 6th June
Ridler’s Garden, Cockett, Swansea
Sunday 13th June
Bordervale Plants, Ystradowen
Sunday 20th June
The Clock House, Llandaff
Wednesday 23rd June
19 Westfield Road, Glyncoch, Pontypridd
Sunday 27th June
11 Arno Road, Little Coldbrook, Barry
Wednesday 30th June
Miskin Manor Country Hotel, Miskin
Sunday July 4th
Ridler’s Garden, Cockett, Swansea
Sunday 18th June
6 Alma Road, Penylan, Cardiff (evening)
Bordervale Plants, Ystradowen
Tuesday 20th July
6 Alma Road, Penylan, Cardiff (evening)
Wednesday 21st July
19 Westfield Road, Glyncoch, Pontypridd
Wednesday 28th July/ Wednesday 11th August/ Monday 30th August
Miskin Manor Country Hotel, Miskin
Further afield but easily accessible are:
The National Botanic Garden of Wales
Middleton Hall, Llanarthne, Carmarthenshire. 568 acres dedicated to leisure, science and education. Includes a 250m long herbaceous broadwalk and restored stableyard centred on Sir Norman Foster’s Great Glasshouse inside which are rock faces and ravines, streams, waterfalls and lakes. Tel 01558 667134 Website
Aberglasney, Llangathen
(15 mins from the National Botanic Gardens) Spectacularly set, an historical restoration of the house and ten acres of gardens. Features include a cloister garden unique in the UK, a yew tunnel, a lake and three walled gardens. Tel 01558 668998 Website
Margam Park & Orangery Gardens
An exciting blend of history and horticulture- the beautiful landscape, the magnificent 18th Century Orangery and Monastic Ruins, a Japanese Koi pond, guided garden walks and the acclaimed species fuchsia collection. Tel 01639 881635 Website
Bryngarw Country Park
Comfortably nestling between the Garw and Llynfi Valleys and just a few minutes drive north of Junction 36 M4. The park has 113 acres of beautiful walks and gardens that look spectacular at any time of year. A park for all seasons where nature works its own special magic in a rich palette of colours painting every area of this enchanting park with multi coloured green and golds. Tel 01656 729099.
Bedford Park
Situated North of the M4 midway between Junctions 36 and 37. Wandering around the 40 acres of quiet woodlands, meadows, secret glades and green open spaces it is hard to believe that this was once an area of intense industrial activity. The central feature of Bedford Park is the old Cefn Cribbwr Ironworks, the remains of which are now protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Today the park is a beautiful peaceful haven harbouring a rich variety of flora and fauna, a perfect place to stroll far from the madding crowds. Tel 01656 725155.
Tondu Iron Park
One of the newest attractions in the area is Tondu Park, the conserved structures of a former Victorian Ironworks. Visitors to this unique legacy of the South Wales Industrial Revolution will be able to explore the Scheduled Ancient Monument and learn about iron making whilst enjoying the woodland and natural parkland setting. Contact Groundwork Bridgend. Tel 01656 727800.
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