The Furnace Meadow at Bodnant Garden, Conwy. — The Furnace Meadow at Bodnant Garden, Conwy | © National Trust Images/John Miller

Wales

Furnace Wood and Meadow trail, Bodnant Garden

Nestled in Bodnant Garden's 80 acres, this hillside trail through Furnace Wood and Meadow will take you to new heights and reward you with panoramic views.

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Total steps: 6

Start point

Old Mill in The Dell. Grid ref: SH800723

Step 1

Starting from the Old Mill, follow the path leading past the refreshment kiosk towards the Dell garden. Take the first right-hand path uphill over a small wooden bridge which takes you up the long Douglas Path, which is lined with mature Douglas firs. Continue to a clearing at the top.

Step 2

This route brings you to a clearing where you'll see Furnace Meadow. Looking across the river you can also spot The Poem mausoleum perched on a rocky outcrop. From here take the path which follows the boundary of the meadow steeply uphill through many more towering conifers. As you continue uphill, views across the garden begin to emerge through the trees.

Step 3

Reaching the brow, the path flattens and you approach the Penjerrick Walk. On either side you’ll see young Penjerrick rhododendrons and other newly planted rhododendrons – come back and see them mature in years to come. A parallel path above here runs along the very top of Furnace Hill where, if you take a short detour, you'll see the River Conwy running through the valley towards the sea.

Step 4

At the next junction your path loops and winds back down the hillside alongside Lady’s Seat. Feel free to stop and sit down here to take in the glorious vista across the garden. From here you'll get a bird's eye view of the famous Italianate Terraces on the opposite side of the valley, built between 1904 and 1914.

A view of the house through trees from Furnace Hill at Bodnant Garden, Conwy, Wales. — A view of the house from Furnace Hill at Bodnant Garden, Conwy | © National Trust Images/John Miller

Step 5

Continue on the path past the Lady's Seat.

Step 6

Back at the junction of Meadow Path you may decide to continue southwards alongside the meadow down to the Far End skating pond area, making your own way back through the Yew Dell and Glades (see map). Or you can return the way you came, down the Douglas Path to the Old Mill.

End point

Old Mill in The Dell. Grid ref: SH800723

Trail map

Azaleas and Rhododendrons in flower in May at Bodnant Garden, North Wales

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Bodnant Garden

A world-famous garden home to National Collections and Champion Trees | Gardd fyd enwog yn gartref i Gasgliadau Cenedlaethol a Choed Campus

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Tal-y-Cafn, near Colwyn Bay, Conwy, LL28 5RE

01492650460

bodnantgarden@nationaltrust.org.uk

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