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Gate from Walled Garden in winter at Penrhyn Castle
Frosty Top Terrace at Penrhyn Castle and Garden | © National Trust Images/ Paul Harris
Wales

Discover nature walk at Penrhyn Castle

Enjoy a circular walk around the lesser-known parts of the castle grounds. Take in the natural space and discover a diverse range of wildlife and nature that call this place home.

Total steps: 11

Total steps: 11

Start point

Penrhyn Castle car park, grid ref: SH603717

Step 1

Leave the car park and head through a stand of mature and semi-mature oak trees. In spring you'll walk through a sea of flowers bursting through the grass.

Step 2

Follow the grass path as it curves round a small mixed woodland known as the Lime Grove.

Step 3

Cross over the mown walkway. Flanked by fine specimens of trees and shrubs, it's known as the Broadwalk.

Step 4

Walk down the Heather Slope into The Dell. The Heather Slope faces south-west into the prevailing winds and several mature oak and beech trees have been uprooted here.

Fungi growing on a log at Hare Hill, Cheshire
Fungi growing on a log at Penrhyn | © National Trust Images/Phil Neagle

Step 5

Cross the Old Drive which is the original entrance to the Castle. This would have made a grand entrance for visitors to the castle.

Step 6

Follow the path to the Bog Garden – a wonderland of exotic water-loving plants like gunnera and reed mace. The path will lead you past a rustic wooden belvedere structure to a wooden boardwalk. Take the steps up to the Walled Garden. If you have a dog with you, bypass the Walled Garden by heading back to the Old Drive and turning left along the yew hedge. This joins up with the path out of the Walled Garden.

Step 7

Wander around the garden paths until you are ready to leave. Go out through the door opposite the one you entered by.

Step 8

Turn left on to the gravel path and go through the Rhododendron Walk. In spring and early summer the rhododendrons and azaleas are a mass of scent and colour.

A slow worm at Box Hill, Surrey
Slow worms | © National Trust Images/A.Wright

Step 9

Carry on along the path to the brick stable then turn right up the slope towards the ruined chapel.

Step 10

Follow the path to the left under some yew trees and between the stable block and the disabled parking area. At the corner of the castle, follow a wide grass path to the boundary fence and Fox Hollow.

Step 11

The path follows the fence line through the Elysian Fields. The path takes you back to the car park where you started your walk.

End point

Penrhyn Castle car park, grid ref: SH603717

Trail map

Discover nature walk map at Penrhyn Castle, Gwynedd
Discover nature walk map at Penrhyn Castle, Gwynedd | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

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