North Wales is home to a range of beautiful gardens for you to enjoy. From ornamental grounds to enchanting wild gardens, wander around some of North Wales’ most idyllic green spaces.
Keep reading to discover the best gardens in North Wales…
Gardens in North Wales
North Wales is one of the best regions in the UK to explore beautifully landscaped gardens and parks. The garden lovers amongst you may already know about locations such as Bodnant Gardens. However, North Wales also has many lesser-known, but equally worthwhile, gardens and surrounding areas. Here are some of our favourite gardens in North Wales worth a visit on your Welsh staycation.
1. Bodnant Gardens
Perhaps one of the best-known gardens in North Wales is Bodnant Gardens, located in the Conwy Valley.
Bodnant Gardens is a world-famous garden, home to 80 acres of sweeping lawns, magical woodlands and more. It is truly one of the most magnificent sites in North Wales, especially in late spring when their famous laburnum arch begins to bloom. From the upper terraces to the lower gardens, Bodnant Gardens boasts plants from all around the world, creating a year-round spectacle. This stunning garden is one of our top picks for things to do on our Mother’s Day blog.
- Opening Times: March – October: 09:30 – 17:00 | Tea-Room: 10:00 – 17:00
- Price: £14.00 Adult | £7.00 Child
- Address: Tal-y-Cafn, near Colwyn Bay, Conwy, LL28 5RE
- Dog Friendly?: Dogs are welcome on special dog days.
- Places to Stay: Conwy Valley Holiday Cottages
2. Plas Brondanw Gardens
Set between the Snowdonia mountain range and the Irish Sea, Plas Brondanw has been inspired by the garden landscapes of the Italian Renaissance. The gardens are the brainchild of Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, perhaps better known for his design of Portmeirion.
Everything about these gardens elicits a sense of drama, from the stone walls to the tree avenues that act as an inspiring foreground to the mountains in the distance.
- Opening Times: April to September: 10:00 – 16:00 (Open in the Winter months via an honesty box)
- Price: £5 Adult | £1 Child
- Address: Llanfrothen, Gwynedd, LL48 6SW
- Dog Friendly?: No dogs are allowed in the gardens or cafes. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome in the woodland garden.
- Places to Stay: Holiday Cottages near Portmeirion
3. Plas Newydd Gardens
Set on the shores of the Menai Strait, Plas Newydd is one of the most architecturally impressive buildings in North Wales.
The surrounding landscape and gardens are suitably large with plenty to see. The 40-acre garden boasts a range of fiery colours and you can walk beneath a canopy of Chilean beech trees or wander through the Rill Garden.
- Opening Times: March – October:10:30 – 17:00 | Winter Months: 11:00 – 15:00
- Price: £11 Adult | £5.50 Child
- Address: Llanfairpwll, Anglesey, LL61 6DQ
- Dog Friendly?: Dogs on short leads are welcome in the garden, except for the Terraced Garden.
- Places to Stay: Holiday Cottages in Llanfair P.G.
4. Plas yn Rhiw Gardens
The gardens of this beautiful manor house are perfect for all seasons. From the daffodils and tulips of spring, through to the mopheads and lace cups of summer and the magnolias in autumn, Plas yn Rhiw is a delightful place to visit.
Situated on the Llŷn Peninsula, the gardens are surrounded by some of the most spectacular countryside in North Wales. The views from the gardens across Cardigan bay are some of the best views in Britain.
- Opening Times: Wednesday to Sunday: 10:30 – 17:00 (April to October only)
- Price: £6.50 Adult | £3.25 Child
- Address: Rhiw, Pwllheli, Gwynedd, LL53 8AB
- Dog Friendly?: Dogs are welcome to explore the paths of the lower woodland on a short lead. They are also welcome at the courtyard of the tearoom on a lead.
- Places to Stay: Holiday Cottages near Abersoch
5. Plas Tan y Bwlch
Overlooking the valley of the River Dwyryd, the gardens at Plas Tan y Bwlch are blessed with a backdrop of impressive scenery and are one of the best gardens to visit in North Wales. Based in the heart of Snowdonia National Park the gardens are home to formal terraces, a water garden and ornamental shrubs.
If you want to see a rhododendron tunnel that is over 120 years old then this is the garden in North Wales to visit. It’s also a centre for learning and runs many courses throughout the year.
- Opening Times: 10:00 – Dusk (All year round)
- Price: £4 Adult | £2 Child
- Address: Maentwrog, Gwynedd, LL41 3YU
- Dog Friendly?: Dogs are allowed in the gardens provided that they are kept on a lead.
- Places to Stay: Holiday Cottages in Maentwrog
Whether you are a green-fingered enthusiast looking for ideas for your own home, or someone who loves bright colours and romantic landscapes, there are plenty of beautiful gardens in North Wales to explore.
If you’re looking for a garden break this year, check out our range of holiday cottages in North Wales and find the perfect base to enjoy these delightful gardens.
Image Credits; Arthur C Harris (CC BY-SA 2.0) and Andy Scott (CC BY-SA 4.0)
