Wintergreen
Enjoy a bracing stroll in a National Trust Cymru garden
FROM Italianate terraces and walled gardens to arboretums and estates, National Trust Cymru’s expert gardeners and volunteers care for an amazing collection of gardens which encompass more than 500 years of Welsh history. Wrap up warm and head out into the fresh air to discover some of these spectacular gardens across Wales...
Bodnant Garden, Conwy
Once a neglected Edwardian rockery, the Winter Garden is now a sensational display of foliage, flower, bark and scent. The garden is flat, level and accessible and makes the most of the winter light – perfect for enjoying the rhododendrons, camellia and the gnarled old Acer palmatum.
When visiting, you can also admire the seed heads in the Round Garden or for a longer winter wander, follow the streamside paths down to the Dell or enjoy the canopy of towering evergreen trees at the Far End. Dogs are welcome at Bodnant every day from October to the end of March.
Chirk Castle, Wrexham
Visit Chirk Castle to explore a jewel of a garden in the Welsh marches with views of a magnificent medieval fortress. Winter is the perfect time to admire foliage and textures of the rockery or enjoy the evergreen yew topiary, which dates from the 19th century. It looks spectacular with a light dusting of frost on a cold day.
The 480-acre estate is the perfect place for a dog walk. Please stick to the Canine Code as you wander a choice of three marked trails across the estate.
Dyffryn Gardens, near Cardiff
There’s plenty to enjoy at Dyffryn Gardens during the colder months; breathe in the scent of the winter honeysuckle, spot the groups of hellebores dotted around the garden, or find the bright bark of the young birches on the Kennel Bank. Meanwhile, inside the heated glasshouse, you’ll find orchids, bromeliads and aloes flowering in an oasis of colour and warmth, in contrast to the cold weather outside. Dogs are welcome almost everywhere within the gardens, except the two log stack play areas.
Erddig, Wrexham
Winter is the perfect time to appreciate the garden’s structure at Erddig. Pleached limes, hedges, trained fruit, paths and ponds all take centre stage during the coldest season. Pruning the pleached limes involves 65,000 pruning cuts and represents 10 weeks of work for one gardener.
Exploring the 1,200 acres of parkland at Erddig with your fourlegged friend is a great way to enjoy the landscape. To help protect wildlife and livestock, dogs must be kept on leads unless in the designated ‘off-lead area’ where they must still be kept under close control.
Penrhyn Castle & Garden, Bangor
The gardens at Penrhyn have something to offer all year round. Visit on weekends to explore the gardens filled with sights and smells of blooms.
Winter is one of the best times to enjoy the views from the garden, with the crisp air giving clearer views of the Eryri (Snowdonia) peaks, as well as dramatic vistas of Penrhyn Castle itself, high on the hill. Penrhyn is also perfect for your canine companions; please keep dogs on a short lead but feel free to let your imagination run wild.
Plas Newydd House & Garden, Anglesey
On weekends, visit the 40 acres of garden at Plas Newydd to enjoy the views across the Menai Strait towards the Eryri (Snowdonia) mountain range and look out for special wildlife. Spot winter flowering shrubs like the scented pink flowers of the Bodnant viburnum and admire the tall conifers. You can also visit the squirrel hide; with less foliage on the trees, winter is a great time to spot shy red squirrels.
Four-legged friends on short leashes are welcome in the gardens, other than the Terraced Garden which is kept paw-free to protect the precise planting.
Powis Castle & Garden, Welshpool
Dating back 300 years, explore a celebrated garden steeped in history. See lead statues of shepherds and shepherdesses sparkling in the frost as they dance on the Aviary Terrace and admire ancient evergreen yew hedges standing proud in the winter sun.
Round off your visit with a walk through the formal woodland, the Wilderness. Until 28 February, dogs are welcome to join you as you explore the woodland and Edwardian Garden.
Please check the relevant property webpage for the latest information before visiting at nationaltrust.org.uk/wales