Gardens

There are plenty of gardens to visit in Mid Wales, as well as some great garden centres and nurseries on our doorstep. This list also shows some shopping options for gardeners. Either click on the pictures on the highlighted text to take you to their websites.

Powis Castle

Although Powis Castle is a destination in itself, the gardens on their own are more than worth a visit. With the world-famous overhung clipped yew hedges, where rare and tender plants are sheltered, the garden layout was influenced by Italian and French styles – and it retains the original lead statues dotted around, plus an orangery.

With a fine tea room by the castle for refreshments, you could spend many hours just wandering the garden terraces. For opening hours and more information, go to the National Trust website.

Centre for Alternative Technology

The CAT is more than just a garden, it is an education and visitor centre which demonstrates practical solutions for sustainability. They cover all aspects of green living: environmental building, eco-sanitation, woodland management, renewable energy, energy efficiency and organic growing.

No matter how small your garden, it’s surprising what you can grow in it. This world-famous eco-centre has a variety of organic display gardens providing inspiration and practical advice. The gardens include habitats for birds and animals, ornamental edibles, companion planting, and rainwater harvesting. Savour the scent of the ‘smell me’ beds, a particular treat for gardeners with poor vision; and if you’re planning some culinary cultivation, have a nibble of the plants in the ‘taste me’ beds. For opening times and more information, go to their website.

Glansevern Hall & Gardens

Glansevern Hall is positioned on the banks of the River Severn with gardens extending to over 25 acres.

You can take a gentle, level walk from the gardens towards the river through the wildflower meadow, which has a raised bird-hide on the river. There’s also a lake with a path around which passes through woodland, with flowering shrubs underneath, giving colour and interest all through the year; there is a collection of unusual trees alongside the lake. The path around the lakeside also passes through a water garden, planted with an assortment of colourful plants, especially for water-loving ones.  Closer to the house are formal gardens with lawns, herbaceous beds and borders.

As the house and gardens are currently up for sale, please check the website for opening hours and further details.

Bodnant Garden

A little farther afield, but still about an hour away, the world-famous garden noted for its botanical collections and created by five generations of one family, this 32-hectare (80-acre) garden is superbly located, with spectacular views across Snowdonia.

With expansive lawns and intimate corners, grand ponds and impressive terraces, a steep wooded valley and stream, as well as awe-inspiring plant collections, there are continually changing glorious displays of colour. Paths throughout Bodnant Garden allow visitors to explore, discover and delight in its beauty – enjoy the clean, fresh fragrances of nature.

Now a part of the National Trust, please check the website for opening times.

Hergest Croft Gardens

Just over an hour away is Hergest Croft Gardens lies in the heart of the Welsh Marches with stunning views towards the Black Mountains. There are gorgeous flower borders. An old fashioned Kitchen Garden, Azalea Garden, Maple Grove, and Park Wood, all to discover. With a Gift Shop and Tearooms the Gardens are the perfect place to explore and relax. For opening hours, head to their website.

The Dingle & Nurseries, plus Derwen Garden Centre

The Dingle is a 4 acre RHS partner garden set amongst the beautiful mid-Wales hills. A wealth of interesting and unusual plants and trees will delight and inspire experienced and amateur gardeners alike. The paths around the large lake will lead you to the primrose wood, conifers and stunning blue hydrangeas. Next to the garden is the Dingle Nursery, selling an extensive range of plants, many of which grow in the garden.

The Derwen, one of the finest independent garden centres in the country, is owned and run by the Joseph family who also own The Dingle. Spread over a large area, showcasing the plants on offer, it has areas of gardens to give examples of how you can lay out your own, or just for inspiration. With a large tea room and crafts available in the shop, it’s worth a visit.

Coed y Dinas

What I would describe as a shopping emporium, with the outdoors the starting point. This converted old farm and buildings as been renovated and extended to offer shopping with a difference. It has: a garden centre with plants and shrubs, offers outdoor furniture, a small pet centre, household furniture, handicrafts section, clothing and camping equipment, gifts, a large restaurant, kitchen equipment – and a fine food hall. There’s also a country store which offers everything a farmer could need – from gates and fencing through to feed, as well as riding clothing and equipment and fishing gear.

It’s a wonderful example of how old converted Victorian farm buildings can sit next to 21st century design. Disabled access throughout. For more information an opening times, go to their website.