Visiting the Walled Garden at Llanerchaeron

Published:: 12 February 2024

Llanerchaeron Spring garden | © National Trust Images / Heather Birnie

Built in the late 18th century, the Walled Garden at Llanerchaeron has been producing fruit and vegetables for over 200 years. Originally a high-tech hive of Georgian industry the gardens have a much more romantic and dreamy feeling about them today. Step into the Walled Garden and see a wide range of produce growing – some of which you can buy to take home.

The Walled Garden at Llanerchaeron

Within the walls you will find productive kitchen gardens, ancient fruit trees, remnants of horticultural technology spanning the lifetime of the garden, herbaceous borders and a wonderful herb garden.

Spring in the Walled Garden

In Spring the Walled Garden at Llanerchaeron is a riot of colour with tulips, daffodils, alliums, camassia and crocus in the cut flower beds. These cut flowers are used in arrangements to decorate the villa at Llanerchaeron.

Over 100 fruit trees in the Walled Garden orchard blossom in spring. Standing noble amongst them is the great Pitmaston Duchess pear tree, who at 150 years old is the oldest tree in the garden, still producing delicious pears. She is the earliest fruit tree to blossom in the orchard and as the largest tree can be easily spotted.

Delicate white apple blossom flowers can be seen on an old tree at Llanerchaeron, Wales, with gnarly bark and twisted branches. — Apple blossom on an old tree in May in the gardens at Llanerchaeron | © National Trust Images/Ian Shaw

Heated beds for fruit

The south facing walls were all heated by fire pits when first built and evidence of these remains as well as two beds heated by hypocausts which were used for fruit production. In the frame yard you will find a fire pit used to heat cold frames.

Victorian greenhouse

Along the south facing walls is a Victorian greenhouse heated by circulating hot water systems which remain in place, though not now heated, and also a gently decaying concrete greenhouse from the 1950s. Over 200 years of horticultural history along 100 metres of wall.

Sixty varieties of apple

Ancient apple trees, originally espalier, have created their own unique shapes and look as if they have seen every season that has passed since the walled gardens were first built. In more recent years more apple trees have been planted within the walled garden and there are now over 60 varieties of apple.

The herb garden

The herb garden is under the south facing wall of the east walled garden. 25 rectangular beds arranged in a ‘piano key layout’ are filled with a range of culinary and medicinal herbs.

Unusual fruit and veg

In an experimental corner of the garden, you will find vegetables growing that normally only grow in hotter climes – from cape gooseberries to red peppers. When wandering around the garden, take a moment to look carefully and you might spot the delicious golden raspberries or an unusual stripy bean.

Fresh produce from the garden to your plate

Produce is sold in visitor reception and the offer varies from day to day. Everything in the kitchen garden is slow grown and seasonal, meaning the produce is plump, juicy and extra tasty. A team of dedicated staff and volunteers tend to the plants, pick the fruit and veg and prepare them for sale.

We also sell a variety of perennial plants and herbs propagated on the estate. By buying Llanerchaeron produce you are helping us care for this garden and continue its restoration, thank you.