At a glance
10 gardens of national importance — Bodnant (80 acres, National Trust, Conwy Valley) is the centrepiece, with Plas Cadnant (Anglesey), Penrhyn Castle, Chirk Castle and Portmeirion all outstanding in their different ways.
About North Wales gardens
North Wales's mild, wet Atlantic climate — the same conditions that drive some visitors away in August — creates ideal growing conditions for an extraordinary range of plants. The Gulf Stream's influence means that species from Japan, the Himalayas and the southern hemisphere thrive in Snowdonia and on Anglesey. Bodnant Garden, on a south-facing slope in the Conwy Valley, exploits this with terraces of rhododendrons and azaleas from April, laburnum arches in late May and a Dell of Asiatic plants in a steep wooded valley.
Plas Cadnant near Menai Bridge on Anglesey is less well known but arguably the most romantic garden in North Wales — a hidden valley restored from total overgrowth over 25 years, with a restored waterfall as its centrepiece and walled gardens producing cut flowers and vegetables. Penrhyn Castle's gardens, managed by the National Trust, have an excellent walled kitchen garden and extensive woodland grounds overlooking the Menai Strait.
Portmeirion's gardens are a different proposition — part formal Italianate, part sub-tropical coastal woodland. Sir Clough Williams-Ellis planted tender species from subtropical zones, sheltered by the headland, that now form a mature woodland over the village. Wisteria, magnolias and fig trees line the village streets in season. The combination of architecture and planting makes Portmeirion one of the most extraordinary garden experiences in Britain.
Top 8 gardens
Gardens by season
- Spring (March–May)
- Bodnant rhododendrons and azaleas (April–May). Plas Cadnant bulbs and waterfall. Penrhyn Castle kitchen garden warming up. Bluebell woodland at Portmeirion (May).
- Early summer (late May–June)
- Bodnant laburnum arches (late May–early June) — the star attraction. Wisteria at Portmeirion. Roses at Chirk Castle.
- Autumn (October–November)
- Bodnant Dell autumn colour (mid-October). Plas Cadnant woodland acers. Erddig kitchen garden harvest.
- Winter (December–February)
- Most gardens quieter but still accessible. Bodnant and Penrhyn Castle open reduced hours. Winter structure and evergreen planting visible without summer crowds.
Frequently asked questions
Yes — Bodnant Garden in the Conwy Valley is consistently ranked among the top ten gardens in Britain. The 80-acre National Trust garden has formal terraces descending to the Dell (a woodland garden in a deep valley), five historic laburnum arches (spectacular in late May–early June when they flower simultaneously), and views to Snowdonia. It is particularly beautiful in spring (rhododendrons and azaleas, April–May), early summer (laburnum arches, late May–June) and autumn (acers and woodland colour, October–November).
Plas Cadnant is a privately owned historic garden near Menai Bridge on Anglesey, restored from complete dereliction over 25 years by the current owners. It occupies a dramatic narrow valley — a hidden world invisible from the road — with walled gardens, a restored waterfall and cascade, and woodland that glows with colour in spring and autumn. It is one of the most atmospherically romantic gardens in North Wales and less well-known than Bodnant. Admission charged; café on site.
Late May to early June for the famous laburnum arches (five tunnels of golden Laburnum x watereri in full flower simultaneously — a spectacular 2-week window). April–May for the rhododendron and azalea season on the upper terraces. October–November for woodland autumn colour in the Dell. The garden is open year-round and worthwhile in all seasons, but the laburnum arches attract visitors from across Europe for a very short annual window — book timed entry in advance.
Yes. Bodnant Garden, Penrhyn Castle gardens, Plas Newydd gardens, Chirk Castle gardens and Erddig gardens all have free entry for National Trust members. Non-members pay admission (typically £12–16 adult for NT gardens). The National Trust also manages Bodnant Estate's farm shop and Welsh Food Centre (no entry charge to the farm shop).
Bodnant Garden (rhododendrons and azaleas, April–May), Plas Cadnant (spring bulbs and waterfall, March–April), Penrhyn Castle gardens (walled kitchen garden, spring vegetables and cutting flowers) and Chirk Castle gardens (topiary and spring planting). Portmeirion's sub-tropical planting also looks its best in spring as the tender plants unfurl.
Yes. The gardens at Portmeirion are included in the village admission price — the landscaping by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis combines formal Mediterranean elements (clipped hedges, ornamental pool, campanile) with woodland walks through mature woodland above the village. The woodland is particularly good for bluebells in May. The Portmeirion Hotel gardens are accessible to hotel guests and restaurant diners. Entry to the village (including gardens) costs around £20 adult (2026).