Along with its many excellent attractions, West Wales has some brilliant accommodation to offer visitors. Here, Claire Badham, from the award-winning Tenby-based company FBM Holidays suggests some potential destinations in the region for garden lovers
If your ideal weekend is spent mooching around parks and gardens looking for inspiration, then West Wales is a great location for you to visit. We have parks and gardens by the bucket load and inspiration for even the most avid gardener.
Here are just a few examples of wonderful places for you to spend the day exploring:
Colby Woodland Gardens, near Amroth, is owned by the National Trust. Colby’s hidden wooded valley is full of surprises. With an industrial past and a secret garden, it’s the perfect place for heritage hunting and natural play.
Spring brings carpets of bluebells, crocuses and daffodils, followed by hydrangeas and the summer wildflowers.
Enjoy shady woodland walks, the wildflower meadow and colourful walled garden in summer, and the marvellous colours of acers, dogwoods and Sweet-gum in autumn. Explore the meadow with its lovely stream, stepping stones, log bridge and abundant dragonflies and butterflies. There’s a lovely tearoom on site too for that well deserved afternoon tea and Welsh cakes. Events are held throughout year including bat night walks and children’s activities.
The National Botanic Garden of Wales, near Carmarthen, is set in the beautiful Carmarthenshire countryside. The Garden is a fascinating blend of the modern and historic. Home to the world’s largest single-span glasshouse, national nature reserve and – new for this year – a tropical Butterfly House. And there’s lakes, dipping ponds, the unique and historic Double-Walled Garden, and a new and wonderful children’s play area are among the many areas for you to explore.
There are many events and regular tours around the various hotspots almost daily so check their website for details. Watch out too for regular doggy days, perfect if you are holidaying with your pet. There is a large café on site serving food all day, and you’ll need a whole day to get around the 568 acres of parkland.
A stroll around the historic Stackpole Walled Gardens on the National Trust Estate at Stackpole, near Pembroke, offers a glimpse into a bygone age. For the past 250 years, the garden has produced food for the table and that long tradition continues to this day. The Garden is managed by the trustees of Pembrokeshire Mencap Ltd, and you will be able to enjoy the extensive gardens and see first hand the impressive work undertaken by Pembrokeshire adults with learning disabilities, who produce a large range of plants, fresh fruit and vegetables that you can buy in the Garden shop.
So, for inspiration or just a day out, put West Wales on your list of places to visit this summer and if you need any accommodation for this area please contact FBM Holidays on 01834 844565. We look forward to welcoming you to West Wales very soon.
- For more information about FBM visit their website