Garden Tours in Wales

Welsh gardens differ from English gardens more as a consequence of climate than of the Celtic design tradition. Because the country is more upland and more westerly it is wetter and windier than England. This favours the growth of rhododendrons and ericaceous plants.

Independent travellers can visit many gardens, but by no means all, using public transport. Car hire is also easy. One of the difficulties for the independent traveller is that many gardens are open only on a few days per week and only in the afternoon. This makes it difficult to visit as many gardens in a day as might appear possible from their geographical proximity. The advantage of visiting gardens with an organised tour is that many gardens are happy to open especially for groups.

Escorted Garden Tours in Wales

4
nights

Gardens of the Welsh Borders, 26th to 30th June 2017

With Stephen Anderton, THE TIMES Gardens Correspondent
The mountains and moorlands straddling the borders of England and Wales are carved up by wooded river valleys, verdant farmlands, and a surprisingly rich vein of outstanding private gardens. The tour is based atGliffaes Country House, a small luxury hotel on the banks of the River Usk, surrounded by beautiful, mature grounds, where you can expect excellent food. This tour is also a wonderful opportunity to meet some key designers and garden writers on their home patch and to explore an array of exceptional gardens.

 

4
nights

Gardens of Snowdonia, 27th June to 1st July 2016

Hosted by Stephen Anderton, The Times Gardening Correspondent
The superb gardens of Snowdonia share the mild Gulf Stream influence, acid soils and tender, exotic plants of the better-known Cornish & West Coast Scotland gardens. Set in uniquely wild, rugged & picturesque Snowdonia, we have made a special selection of visits arranged to delight and inspire. We stay at two of the very best hotels of Wales, both with stunning views of mountain and sea. Historic Bodysgallen Hall provides all that is great in country house hospitality including its own 3AA Rosettes rated restaurant. At Portmeirion, you will be accommodated either in the main hotel or in Castell Deudraeth, dining one night at each.