The beauty of visiting a garden is not just in the physical beauty of the landscaping or the sheer variety of the flowers. Historical context and purpose can hold just as much interest as the place itself. The three gorgeous gardens featured on this list have been compiled based as much on their contextual interest as their natural beauty. Within each place can be found several interesting stories, which are then translated into the physical landscape of the garden. Usually more affordable than the average castle day out, they afford a great opportunity to get out of the car for a couple of hours and breathe in some refined civilisation.
1) Treborth Botanic Garden, Bangor
More of a scientific research centre than a fully landscaped garden, Treborth gets top points for being absolutely free and open all year round. Owned by Bangor University since 1960, the garden covers 18 hectares just off the shore of the Menai Strait. Seven glasshouses are home to a diverse range of plant life ranging from native mountain plants of Snowdonia to more exotic Atlantic fare. Originally conceived as a pleasure garden complete with wide avenues and grand hotel, these plans fell through over 160 years ago and the land was allowed to go fallow. It wasn’t until the early 60s that the gardens were claimed by the scientists from Bangor to become what we see today. You can access the gardens via the Coast Path for Wales, making it a great stop off on your coastal trek.
2) Plas yn Rhiw, Gwynedd
The 17th Century estate looks over the beach of Porth Neigwl, but is sheltered enough to provide a mild climate for some truly unique plant life. During February large swathes of the National Trust’s only organic garden are blanketed by white Snowdrops lending it a magical feel. Entrance to the house is included in the price, and although its small there’s a boat load of historical information here charting the house’s impressive lineage of owners. The final residents and donors of the house, the Keating sisters are particularly fascinating, having all lived together from the end of the 19th century and through both world wars. Rammed with historical relics and décor from each decade they lived through, its a modern historian’s dream.
3) Bodrhyddan Hall, Rhuddlan
At the more expensive end of the spectrum, entrance to Bodrhyddan Hall includes a fully guided 90 minute tour of the grand Grade I listed building. The ticket price is £7, but considering the depth of detail and enthusiasm afforded to the smallest of details, its more than worth it. The house is full of historical artefacts a few of which, unconventionally, are allowed to be handled. 19th Century armouries aside, the real star of the show is the gardens. Covering over eight acres of land and naturally sculpted; with a range of areas from lush meadow lands to forests to precisely carved formal gardens, these are not to be missed. This is one of the last remaining family-owned stately homes in Wales, as a result its worth noting that the opening times are unusual, but well worth working around.