Bodnant Hall and Garden
As a person who is not a keen gardener or someone who visits National Trust attractions often, I was anxious about the appreciation I would have for Bodnant Garden upon arriving. It had also rained earlier in the day and was still spitting, so I was worried that I would not see it in its full glory.
The walk begins with the impressive Laburnum Arch, a covered walkway with long, bright, yellow flowers peeping through the spaces. This is a wonderful way to guide you through deeper into the gardens. It leads to more paths around the main house that weave between blossoming flowers, trees and plants, all marked for those who are not experts in horticulture and want to brush up on their skills.
At first Bodnant Garden is deceptive as I thought that it consisted of only the land directly outside of the house, but the more we explored, the more it opens up and drops down to find some wonderful surprises. You are given a map upon arrival so you don’t have to worry about getting lost!
With easily a two hour walk to get around it all, we were wowed when we discovered the River Hiraethlyn that spans across the lowest part of the garden in The Dell, surrounded by enormous trees that are some of the oldest in Britain. Once deep within the forest, the waterfalls, bridges, shrubs and trees exude an atmosphere of something from a fairy-tale. I fully expected to see fairies and is great inspiration for some storytelling if you are going with children!
The garden has full disabled access and benches at every turn so those who are not able to walk far without a rest should not be put off. Down in The Dell you will find The Old Mill, where there are some toilets and a café if you want a halfway point to sit down and take in your surroundings, which I highly recommend.
At first I thought it was not a place for children, however seeing the other guests and the enjoyment the kids were having, this assumption was soon put to rest. There are children’s trails, tracker packs, activity leaflets and story books all available at reception to keep your children busy for the duration of your stay.
The walk has an easy or hard return winding up towards the house again. The surprises don’t stop there however, with The Canal Terrace that features a beautiful summer house with a long canal of water in front. Its stillness is in-keeping with the atmosphere of the entire garden. I found that visiting Bodnant is a great calmer, given how quiet and slow paced the walk around it is- the perfect place to unwind. We were accompanied by some unexpected friends too while we walked along the grass admiring the lilies upon the water’s surface. So watch where you stand!
The Lily Terrace was also very beautiful; boasting statues and archways surrounded by a plethora of flowers whose scent filled our nostrils as we walked around. Bodnant Hall stands proudly looking on you as you make you way around the attractions in the upper part of the garden.
As you make your way out there is a gift shop and garden centre for enthusiasts as well as tourists. Perfect for those who wish to stock up on their garden paraphernalia or buy a gift to mark their visit.
If you don’t take advantage of the café down by The Old Mill, there is the Pavillion Tearoom with locally sourced ingredients offering light bites and meals as well as teas, coffees and soft drinks. There are also picnic benches around the car park for those who wish to bring their own edibles.
We were also lucky to witness signs of a wedding while we were there, which proves that this is an ideal backdrop for a wedding day for many couples past, present and future.
With a top price of just £5.00 per person, this is not an expensive day out; it’s for all ages and passions and free for National Trust Members. I feel ashamed that I would not have paid this place a visit without the prompt of a review. My whole outlook on gardens has now changed and I would happily visit others in future if I am travelling through. The gardens are a perfect way to reflect and take in the beauty of our country. They help us analyse perhaps why we feel the need to go abroad when something like this spectacle is on our doorstep. I came away feeling very appreciative of what we have and gave me the taste to explore more just like it. I have recommended a visit to my parents-in-law who regularly travel to Wales and have never been. This is certainly something that benefits from word of mouth- so if you have been get talking!