A view of the terrace and herbaceous borders in Autumn at Bodnant Garden, Conwy — A view of the terrace and herbaceous borders in late summer at Bodnant Garden, Conwy | © National Trust Images/John Miller

Gardens and parks in Wales

We care for an amazing collection of gardens and parks which encompass more than 500 years of Welsh history. From Italianate terraces and walled gardens to arboretums and countryside estates there’s plenty to explore throughout the seasons.

Late-summer highlights: The best gardens for colour

Across Wales, late summer brings some of the year’s richest garden colour. As the season begins to give way to autumn, these are some of the best gardens to enjoy it, with the first hints of autumn starting to appear too.

Dyffryn Gardens

In late summer, Dyffryn’s Exotic Garden is at its best, with towering canopies and tropical planting filling the borders. Dahlias and ginger lilies continue flowering until the first frost, including the striking Hedychium siccum, making this one of the garden’s most colourful times of year.

Powis Castle and Garden

Late summer brings a final flourish of colour to the 17th century Italianate terraces. Look out for rose hips, sedums and dahlias on the Orangery Terrace, while pink cosmos fills the borders on the Lower Terrace as the garden begins its transition into autumn.

Powis Castle on a hill top, with autumn landscaped gardens

Chirk Castle and Garden

Late summer brings the first signs of autumn to Chirk Castle, as Virginia creeper turns the castle walls from green to rich reds and golds. Colchicum, colourful dogwoods and fiery acers add to the rich display, while climbing vines frame the castle and Hawk House.

A visitor looks at the pond in the garden at Chirk Castle

Bodnant Garden

The formal Upper Garden is one of Bodnant’s late-summer showstoppers, with late-flowering shrubs and perennials filling the borders. The rose terraces also hold onto their final blooms of the season, bringing plenty to see before autumn colour takes over.

A man stands on a bridge in the distance surrounded by trees and bushes clothed in autumn colours

Gardens in North Wales

From the terraces of Bodnant Garden to the magnificent topiary of Chirk Castle, enjoy a feast for the senses at top gardens in North Wales.

Plas Newydd House and Garden

On the shore of the Menai Strait with dramatic views of Snowdonia, this garden is full of delights. Lose yourself in 40 acres of Italianate terraces, meadows and shady Arboretum.

Colourful rhododendron in bloom with pink flowers and green leaves with green in background

Bodnant Garden

Visit this world-class garden in its dramatic hillside setting and enjoy 80 acres of formal gardens, woodland and meadows and botanical collections from around the globe.

Chirk Castle and Garden

Indulge your senses and refresh your spirit as you wander amongst the scents and vivid colours of the billowing herbaceous borders in this lovely 5.5 acre garden.

The beautiful array of roses at Chirk Castle

Erddig Hall and Garden

This garden was almost lost forever but now fully restored it’s the perfect place to enjoy an afternoon with grand lawns and avenues of pleached lime trees.

Blue, purple and white flowers spilling over the paths from Erddig’s herbaceous borders

Penrhyn Castle and Garden

Like the castle itself, these grounds and garden are extensive and a feast for the senses. Find peace in the Walled Garden or explore the jungle-like Bog Garden.

View along the Fuchsia Arch in the Walled Garden at Penrhyn Castle

Gardens in Mid Wales

Take in the delights of one of the top gardens in the UK at Powis Castle with its stunning topiary or explore the beautiful walled garden at Llanerchaeron.

Powis Castle and Garden

Dating back over 300 years, this world-class garden has it all. Discover Italianate Terraces with superb views, dramatic topiary and a tranquil formal garden.

View of flower borders and box hedges on the orangery terrace at Powis Castle garden on a sunny day in July

Llanerchaeron

This tranquil Walled Garden is a treat for the senses. Take a stroll amongst ancient fruit trees and a fragrant herb garden full of culinary and medicinal plants.

Gardens in South Wales

From the stunning fountains of Dyffryn Gardens to the wilderness of Colby Woodland Garden, explore the horticultural treasures of South Wales.

Dyffryn Gardens

Explore Dyffryn’s 55-acre gardens, including an intimate network of garden rooms, arboretum, kitchen gardens, and an enormous glasshouse bursting with otherworldly delights.

Tredegar House

Lose yourself in three perfectly formed formal gardens. With glasshouses, an Orangery, flower borders and an orchard, there are many surprises hiding along their secretive paths.

Colby Woodland Garden

Once a working coalfield, this secluded garden still hints at its industrial past but today with streams, meadows, woodland and a walled garden it is a triumph of nature.

Community gardens in Wales

At many of the special places we care for, we're working with communities to create gardens where people can come to spend time in nature, and with each other.

Two people kneeling and working in the soil at the community garden at Powis Castle

Parklands and estates in North Wales

Experience a parkland adventure in the grounds of a grand castle like Chirk Castle, or enjoy a peaceful ramble through the landscape of Erddig.

Chirk Castle and Garden

Take a walk around this fascinating 480-acre estate and discover veteran trees, abundant wildlife, and beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

Close-up of Autumn Hawkbit with the castle in the background at Chirk Castle, Wrexham

Erddig Hall and Garden

From peaceful woodland and the remains of a motte and bailey castle, to lush green fields and the Cup and Saucer waterfall, there’s plenty to uncover in this 300-year-old estate.

Erddig Hall as seen from across the canal at Erddig, Wrexham

Penrhyn Castle and Garden

Enjoy a short stroll through lesser-known parts of the castle grounds to enjoy meadows, a peaceful bird hide, woodland, and superb views over Conwy Bay and Snowdonia.

Visitor walking in the grounds of Penrhyn Castle in autumn, with castle and hills in the background in Gwynedd, Wales.

Parklands and estates in Mid Wales

From the finest examples of a picturesque landscape in Europe at Hafod, to the peaceful wooded estate of Llanerchaeron, there’s lots to uncover in Mid-Wales.

Hafod

Discover Hafod, one of the finest examples of a picturesque landscape in Europe with cascading waterfalls, mossy glades, restored gardens, and bridges over rocky gorges.

Llanerchaeron

This peaceful estate in the wooded Aeron valley and has been largely unaltered for over 200 years. See a variety of wildlife year-round in the parkland, woods, meadows and lake.

Parklands and estates in South Wales

With the parkland at Tredegar House providing an escape from city life and the vast estate full of history at Dolaucothi, there are plenty of places to enjoy a moment of calm.

Colby Woodland Garden

With the industrial remains sitting alongside tranquil streams and ponds, wildflowers and woodland trails, there are many secrets to be found at this this once working coalmine.

Tredegar House

This 90-acre parkland is the perfect place to escape the bustle of city life and there’s lots to explore with sweeping lawns, a serene lake, woodland, and plenty of wildlife.

Dinefwr

With a history of over 2000 years, Dinefwr is an iconic place in Welsh history. Explore its 800-acres and spot a variety of wildlife as well as some of the oldest trees in Britain.

Dolaucothi

This 2,500-acre estate has it all from rivers, woodland and farms to hillsides with spectacular views of the Cothi Valley. There’s much more to Dolaucothi than the Roman mines.