Last updated on 20 February 10
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Bodnant Garden

4.3/5 (6 ratings)

Photograph © GardenVisit.com
Photograph © GardenVisit.com
Photograph © GardenVisit.com
Photograph © Bodnant Garden
Photograph © Bodnant Garden
Photograph © Pete Duxon
Photograph © Pete Duxon

Gardenvisit Editorial

A terrace and woodland garden set in the hills of Snowdonia. Edward Milner helped with the design, establishing a link with Joseph Paxton and JC Loudon. Tree planting began in the 'picturesque' 1790s. The first Lord Aberconway's father-in-law bought the estate in 1875, started the Dell garden and planted the laburnum tunnel - a famous sight in June. His grandson took charge of the estate in 1901, designed the terraced garden and became a keen plantsman. Clearly, he was inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement. The second Lord Aberconway also started the collection of rhododendrons and magnolias, suscribed to plant-collecting expeditions, grew the seed and passed the enthusiasm to his son, the third Lord Aberconway. A Pin Mill was imported from the Cotswolds in 1938, for use as a garden pavilion on the Canal Terrace.

Address - Tal-y-Cafn, Colwyn Bay, Gwynedd, Wales, LL28 5RE
Opening times - Late February to late November. Daily. Open 10am to 5pm (4pm in November).
Admission - Adult £7.90 (includes voluntary gift aid donation), RHS and National Trust Members Free.
Website - Visit the Bodnant Garden website

Local Hotels

Hotels within 30km as the crow flies from this garden.

The Groes Inn (2km away)
From £72.25 to £200.00
Tir y Coed Country House (3km away)
From £129.00 to £175.00
The Lodge Hotel (3km away)
From £65.00 to £155.00
Premier Inn Llandudno (Glan - Conwy) (5km away)
From £41.00 to £118.50
Castle Hotel (5km away)
From £79.00 to £170.00
The Quay Hotel (6km away)
From £85.00 to £215.00
Bodysgallen Hall and Spa (6km away)
From £195.00 to £260.00
Maenan Abbey Hotel (6km away)
From £50.00 to £100.00

Nearby Gardens

Gardens within 30km as the crow flies from this garden.

Gwydir Castle (11km away)
Bodelwyddan Castle (16km away)
(1.0/5)
Penrhyn Castle Garden (17km away)
(2.0/5)
Treborth Botanic Garden (20km away)
(5.0/5)
Bodrhyddan Garden (21km away)
Plas Newydd Garden (23km away)
(4.0/5)

Nearby Garden Nurseries

Garden Nurseries within 30km as the crow flies from this garden.

Bodnant Garden Nursery (0km away)
Aberconwy Nursery (2km away)
Roualeyn Nurseries (9km away)
Rickards Ferns Ltd (17km away)
(5.0/5)
Crug Farm Plants (25km away)
(4.0/5)

Luxury Garden Hotels

Nearby Recommended Garden Hotels

Recent Reviews

about 1 month ago Dediva1 said
An August visit to this rejuvenated garden does not disappoint. Delicate pastel-hued clematis greet the visitor, followed by a riotous hot border with red, yellow and orange perennials of various heights, many against glossy bronze foliage. The formal gardens are undergoing renaissance, but have cleverly juxtaposed grasses, liles, annuals (notably white cosmos), salvias and geraniums. Scented roses are banked in large plots. Planthunters will appreciate the many digitalis, lobelia and veronica species on display. The Dell has the full palette of greens, in ferns, trees and shrubs, studded with torquoise of the hydrangeas and punctuated by philadelphus and even white rhododendron. A blissful day's exploration!

(5.0/5)
3 months ago Anonymous said
A beautiful terraced garden with a lovely woodland garden perfectly situated with views over to Snowdonia. Try to visit in late May/early June to catch the laburnum arch in full bloom - truly spectacular. This is also a great time to catch the azaleas in bloom. The rhododendrons tend to peak a little earlier.

(5.0/5)
about 1 year ago pete said
I liked this garden, a woodland valley, pretty terraces. sumptuous Snowdonia views.

So why not 5 stars? The garden is obviously being maintained and routes were closed off not by sympathetic wooden signs but gaudy red and white tape which quite spoilt the atmosphere

(4.0/5)
over 2 years ago Adam Hodge said
A great garden in the spring when the Rhodo's,Azaleas,Camellias and Magnolia trees are in full show, not to mention the gorgeous Laburnam walk, or the other delights- Wisterias on the lower level trained over the walls and handrailings, the Gentian beds, the fabulous and hugely fragrant Osmanthus bushes.. the delights are endless ! They even have a good number of Embothriums that look stunning in full blast bloom.
There are a lot of good value and choice plants in the nursery. It is irrestibly tempting to spend too much !

(5.0/5)
over 2 years ago Anonymous said
great colours and variety

(4.0/5)

See all the reviews of Bodnant Garden