Last week we took advantage of the wonderful Spring weather and headed down to Bodnant Gardens on the Conwy estuary in North Wales. The 80 acres of Bodnant were gifted to the National Trust in 1949, but the gardens have been created over the past 150 years. The gardens are here as a result of the vision of the Pochin / McLaren family, who not only designed the gardens, but sponsored plant discovery trips to other parts of the world.
Bodnant has more formal areas of garden around the house, where the Italianate terraces lead down to wilder looking areas that eventually lead down towards the Dell. Beyond the Dell there are pathways that lead to the skating lake and the newly opened (April 2017) Furnace Meadow & Furnace Hill. There are lots of different areas to wander around and when the legs grow weary, there are some very good tea rooms onsite. Once refreshed you will probably be in the right frame of mind to visit the adjacent garden centre to start creating your own Bodnant when you get back home!
Our visit coincided with peak daffodil time, the Old Park was a sea of gold. There was also a fabulous collection of magnolias in full bloom, not to mention all the camellias, oh and the rhododendrons! Here are some of the photographs I took on out two visits on consecutive days.
Bodnant Hall, built in 1792
Many different shades of Magnolia and Rhododendron.
The Italianate terraces of Bodnant Hall.
The Old Park.
"Ten thousand saw I at a glance, tossing their heads in sprightly dance."
"And oft' when on my couch I lie, In vacant or in pensive mood, They flash upon that inward eye, which is the bliss of solitude"
Many different varieties of Narcissus
This one I can remember, Narcissus Cyclamanus. Just to look at it reminds me of the name.
Spring Snowflake in morning light.
Magnolia against a perfect sky.
Pyrenean Fritillary.
Down in the Dell, the paths wind their way around, crossing and re-crossing the stream.
Snake's Head Fritilary
Skunk Cabbage growing alongside the stream and in some of the damp areas around.
The gardens have lots of seats, strategically placed to enjoy the beautifully created vistas.
The skating pond. From the main entrance to the pond is approximately one mile across the gardens.
So much beauty in one place
The outer parts of the garden feel like a natural paradise, but they are of course, totally created by many years of planning and hard work.
Camelia
Spring Snowflake
Rhododendron
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