Enfolded around the luscious green Conwy valley sits the emerald gem that is Bodnant Gardens. With glorious views over Snowdonia, this 80-acre garden offers what feel like a land full of botanical discoveries. Here you are welcomed to visit the many different parts of the garden that make it so unique but perfect for so many visitors. Open from March through to November, there's so much you can expect to see.
Completed in 1905, the Italianate Terraces are set to the west of Bodnant Hall form the most formal part of the garden. Here you'll be able to see some of the best views in the garden over the Conwy Valley, the Carneddau Mountain range and even Snowdonia in the far distance. It is in this part of the garden that you'll be able to smell the fragrant roses and see the other bright and colourful plants such as the herbaceous during the summertime. Along the canal terrace you'll be able to see the famous Pin Mill, originally built in 1730 as a gazebo at Woodchester and then later used as a pin mill. The building was moved to Bodnant Gardens in 1939 and rebuilt in its present position, standing perfectly in front of its elegant fishpond. Finish this area of the garden with a stroll through the enchanting Magnolia Walk, full of bright beautiful colours.
Down in the less formal area of the gardens is where you'll find vibrant new colours for every season. During spring you'll find the bright and welcoming bursts of colours from daffodils and bluebells, while in the summer you'll find more varying colours of the herbaceous plants in bloom. It is in the heart of this part of the garden where you'll come across The Poem, an outstanding structure to mark the final resting place for the family at Bodnant Hall. Open on the last Tuesday of each month, you can take a peek inside and see the outstanding colours that beam inside from the stained glass windows on bright sunny days. The Poem is said to sit most perfectly in autumn, where it is surrounded by the red and gold of the plants and trees surrounding it.
The deeper wooded valley of the garden is known as The Dell. This is a special treat for those who aren't expediting to see such a wide variety of outstanding plants from all over the world. In fact, plants from North America, China, Japan and Europe thrive here, where they are well suited to the Welsh soil. It is in this part of the garden that you can also stand over small waterfalls and truly see nature at its best. During summer, the blue flowering hydrangeas sit close to the riverbanks, a perfect place to sit and listen to the flowing waters nearby.
More than seeing the beautiful display of flowers, there's plenty of regular family events held at Bodnant Gardens, especially during half-term and school breaks. The gardens offer days especially catering for playful fun with small children, educational visits, art days and even days with your dogs. But of course, you're always welcome to view the luscious grounds no matter what programmes are running.
If you're feeling a bit peckish after exploring the charming gardens, the Pavilion Tea Room is a wonderful place to spend your afternoon. Here you can choose anything from hearty, warming meals to light lunches and afternoon tea. There's also the Magnolia tearoom on site where you'll be tempted by freshly baked cakes and scones. Both tea-rooms offer seasonal treats such as Mother's Day lunches, Easter simnel and pumpkin soup at harvest. On warmer days you can even stop by The Kiosk where you can taste some locally made dairy cream, one of the best ways to end your day.
Gwion Llwyd is a Design Engineer and part time farmer, living at his family farm in the mountains above Harlech.
Gwion also owns and manages self-catering accommodation on his land, as well as a website highlighting other quality self-catering accommodation in Snowdonia. The site has a wealth of useful information about the region, including activities, attractions, history and culture.
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