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Visiting the garden at Powis Castle

Tulips at Powis Castle
Tulips at Powis Castle | © Paul Harris

Wales is famous for its rugged landscapes and castles but less known for its beautiful gardens. Stretching out beneath the medieval castle is one of the finest gardens in Britain. With dramatic terraces, an Orangery, an Edwardian formal garden and a peaceful wooded landscape, there is so much for you to explore.

Explore a Welsh garden this spring 

Powis Castle’s magnificent gardens truly come to life in the Springtime. With warmer weather within reach, and as we welcome back much-loved wildlife, you’ll see a splash of colour on every corner. 

Explore a world-famous terraced garden as it comes to life with everyone’s spring favourites. From the famous Welsh daffodil and much-loved blossom to wonderful wisteria and wrinkly-leaved primroses.

Immerse yourself in the stories and palatial interiors of the State Rooms in the 13th century castle. Elaborately decorated with paintings, tapestries and sculptures; discover eras gone by, tales of love and tragedy and wondrous treasures from around the world.

For those who enjoy a touch of adventure, wander the woodlands to uncover the fascinating carved wyverns hidden among the trees. These intricate wooden creatures add a magical, mythical touch to your visit.

And don’t forget to pick up your Trail in a Bag, a fun outdoor activity for all ages. Perfect for families, the trail will guide you through the grounds as you explore the history, nature, and hidden gems of Powis Castle’s estate.

Blossom and blooms 

The famous Welsh daffodil blooms early and transforms our paddock into a breath-taking carpet of yellow. The magnolia puts on a stunning show every year, exposing its pink and white goblet-shaped flowers. As you stroll along the Aviary, witness the wisteria swaying in the wind, and as you enter the Edwardian Formal Garden, you'll be blown away by the pink blossom showering our beloved apple blossom trees. 

Lady Violet, Countess of Powis, planted the apple trees hundreds of years ago, in her mission to make Powis Castle “one of the most beautiful, if not the most beautiful in England and Wales”. Violet’s Edwardian Garden with a croquet lawn, flowering borders and meticulously trimmed fruit trees, is still one of our garden’s highlights today. 

The blossom in the wilderness can be seen from as far as the terraces. The bright pink and white cherry blossom and magnolia campbellii are truly spectacular. As the petals fall, the woodland floor is transformed into a wonderful carpet of pink and white.

The apple blossom in the Formal Garden is a visitor favourite. Lining the paths, apple trees planted hundreds of years ago by Lady Violet continue to bear fruit all these years later. Showered with pink and white petals throughout spring, it’s a sure sign of spring.

Celebrate spring at Powis Castle with our exclusive, limited-edition pin badge. This beautiful pin features an artistic representation of the Clivia miniata, a stunning plant you can find blooming in the Orangery during the spring and summer months. The Clivia was named in 1828 by botanist John Lindley in honour of Charlotte Percy, Duchess of Northumberland. Charlotte, a passionate botanist herself, was the first person in Britain to successfully bring a Clivia into bloom. This unique pin is a perfect way to commemorate your visit and take home a piece of Powis Castle’s botanical history.

Spring walks

There are walks for those who want to see it all or walks for families with prams or wheelchairs who don’t want to go too far. If you can’t go far at all, view the garden from the Courtyard and listen to the birds sing as you enjoy a cup of tea from the Courtyard Café. There are perfect picnic spots and benches positioned to take a moment to pause and admire your surroundings. Don’t miss:

• Century-old apple trees which line the pathways sprinkled with beautiful blossom.
• Terraces – wisteria flowering on the Aviary Terrace. It’s over 300 years old and wows visitors every year, it’s a must for the Instagram grid. Bright arrangement of multi-coloured tulips in the containers on the Orangery Terrace.
• The wilderness – from beautiful blossom in early spring to the fabulous rhododendron display in late May.
• Daffodil Paddock – don’t miss the famous Welsh daffodil display as it transforms an empty stretch of lawn into a breath-taking display of yellow.

 

View of daffodils in the garden with Powis Castle on the hill in the background in Powys, Mid Wales.
Daffodils in bloom at Powis Castle, Mid Wales | © National Trust Images/Paul Harris

Explore the Italianate Terraces at Powis Castle 

Beneath the castle and blasted out of the bare rock, are the Italianate Terraces which are considered the finest surviving example of a 17th century terraced garden in Britain. 

From their position high up on the hillside you can admire breath-taking views across the garden, deer park, and in the distance, the pointed profiles of Long Mountain and the Breidden Hills. 

The 18th-century Orangery

Admire herbaceous borders flowering with a profusion of perennials, dancing lead and stone statues, an Aviary that once housed birds of prey and an orangery with a grand 18th-century stone doorway that was once the entrance to the castle itself. 

The Edwardian Formal Garden 

This area was once a Kitchen Garden but in 1912 Violet, Countess of Powis, oversaw its transformation into a formal flower garden. 

Here you can stroll along avenues of ancient apple trees, enjoy the shade beneath the vine arch, admire seasonal colour and relax as you listen to the sound of water falling in the Fountain Garden nearby.

19 and 26 March: Garden Tours

Whether you’re a keen gardener and want to pick up some tips and tricks, or just like being in the great outdoors, this spring garden tour could be for you. If you're excited about the arrival of spring, then a behind-the-scenes tour of the garden is what you need to start the season. The tours will take place on 19 and 26 March.

Join one of the talented Gardeners for an exclusive tour and talk to find out what it takes to bring one of the finest gardens in the country back into bloom after winter.

From the famous Welsh daffodil and much-loved blossom to wonderful wisteria and wrinkly-leaved primroses, spring is a hopeful and colourful time of year. Providing you with an insight into the hard work that goes on behind the scenes, this tour is sure to inspire those green fingers of yours.

Included in the price is a delicious lunch from the Courtyard Café. Enjoy a bowl of homemade hearty soup with a cheese scone, a hot beverage and slice of cake of your choice. Bring your friends or come on your own, just don’t miss out on this unique opportunity. We encourage you to book your place early because spaces are limited.

  • The garden tour will last approximately 1.5 hours.
  • This tour ticket does not include entry to castle or garden outside of the tour. If you wish to visit either after the tour, normal admission prices will apply.
  • Booking for each event will close two days before the event to allow us to prepare for numbers. If you wish to book last minute and there are still spaces available, please call us on 01938 551944.
Spring apple blossom with a lawn and the red stone medieval Powis Castle behind, Welshpool, Wales
Spring blossom at Powis Castle | © National Trust Images/Paul Harris

The Fountain Garden 

In the Fountain Garden admire the topiary of the trimmed trees and hedges. View their long shadows in the low afternoon light across the grass. 

Look out for the wrought-iron gates, a gift from Lady Violet to her husband George, 4th Earl of Powis, featuring the vibrant Herbert family crest of an Elephant and Griffin keeping an eye on the garden.

Huge hedges 

It’s impossible to miss one of Powis’ most famous features, its 300-year old yew tree hedges. Looking back to the castle from anywhere in the garden you can see the cloud-like forms of the 14 giant tumps and the 30 foot high hedge will remain in your mind long after your visit.

Walk in the Wilderness

The wooded ridge opposite the castle, is known as the Wilderness. It’s less formal than the rest of the garden and is the perfect place for a woodland walk with incredible views. 

Walk alongside great oaks, rhododendrons and exotic trees.  Stop by the Stable Pond, the Ice House or the Plunge pool, which are surrounded by ferns. Uncover unique sculptures and admire the view of the castle across the Great Lawn.

Facade of Powis Castle showing the sequence of garden terraces below featuring massive clipped yews at Powis Castle and Garden, Wales

Discover more at Powis Castle and Garden

Find out when Powis Castle and Garden is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.

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