Welcome to Bodnant Garden, an otherworldly historical garden with plenty of charm. Bodnant in Welsh means ‘dwelling by a stream’ – fitting for this botanical beauty.
Overlooking the River Conwy, you’ll be able to marvel at views all the way to Snowdonia. A trip here will place you right in the middle of a storybook, with slender trees, arched footbridges, little brooks and streams, lush greenery, blooming flowers, and Victorian architecture.
You can spend your visit however you want, whether you want to find little quiet pockets to relax, unwind, and bask in the natural beauty, or fill your day with activity – seeing everything there is to see. I did a little bit of both, making sure I saw all the most popular attractions and hidden gems. I even stopped for afternoon tea at the Pavilion tea room.
History of Bodnant Garden
Bodnant Garden was carefully crafted over 150 long years – and it certainly showed when I saw it in person.
All the plants were collected and brought to Wales from around the world and the garden was created with the collective visions of the Puddle head gardeners and McLaren family over the generations.
But before all this came to be, it was acquired by Henry David Pochin and his wife at an auction. At that time, it was an estate with woods, plantations, and a walled garden.
Pochin transformed the garden into the one present today with the help of landscape designer Edward Milner. While Milner sculpted the sloping valleys, the shrub gardens, and pathways, Pochin built cottages on the estate and focused on farming practices.
Some of the exotic plants that were brought to the garden included exotic Asian and South American plants. They were used in a plant-breeding programme to produce hybrids, which won the estate many awards.
Right before Pochin’s death, he gifted the garden to the National Trust. It was then inherited by his son Charles, then Charles’ son Michael, where it continues to be maintained and developed.
What Makes Bodnant Garden So Great to Visit?
I’d describe the garden as the epitome of a British garden. It has an unforgettable backdrop of the Carneddau Mountains and sweeping lawns full of (rare) plant collections from many corners of the world.
In my opinion, it surpasses many other gardens I’ve been to around the world in terms of history, atmosphere, and the work put in to make it a worthwhile place to visit.
No matter what season you’re visiting, the 80 acres of woodland and gardens have something to offer all the senses. I was advised to visit sometime between April and October for the best colours, so I did so in May.
Whilst there, you’ll get to see world-class National Collections, Champion Trees, and exotic plants like the blue poppy of the Himalayas and the Fire Bush of the Andes. In the colder month, you can check out the Winter Garden and wander along the Winter Garden trail.
It’s truly an incredible place that is suitable for couples, families, and solo explorers – just like myself.
How Long Does it Take to Go Around Bodnant Garden?
As the garden is quite vast, make sure you allow for at least 3-4 hours to see most of it. Ideally, spare half a day for a more relaxed visit.
What is Bodnant Garden Famous for?
Bodnant Garden is famous for housing many “firsts”. It boasts the oldest and most elaborate laburnum arch from 1880, Britain’s first magnolias from China, and the rhododendron hybrids that were bred in the 1920s.
Aside from the flora and fauna, the five Italianate terraces are also renowned, built between 1904 and 1914. There’s also the Pin Mill, a crumbling Georgian building that was formerly in Gloucestershire and moved to the garden.
The garden blends the classic look and feel of a typical English garden with the extravagant flora from China, Japan, South America and many other countries.
Who Lives in the House at Bodnant Garden?
Bodnant House won’t be difficult to spot – it’s a huge, striking country house that belongs to the family of Lord Aberconwy. Although the gardens were gifted to the Trust, the family actually continues to live there today – what a place to live!
How Much Does It Cost to Visit Bodnant Garden?
The entry fee to visit the garden are as follows:
Adult: £14
Child: £7
Family: £35
1 adult 3 children: £21
Or alternatively, you can become a National Trust member which will grant you free entry to 500+ places (including the Bodnant Garden), free parking (at most places), and other premium benefits.
Visitor Information
Now you know all the wonderful things you’ll get to see at Bodnant Garden and a little bit about its history, here is some typical visitor info you might be interested in.
Parking
There is a car park on-site as well as designated disabled spaces just 100 yards from the garden entrance. You can even make sure of the pickup and drop-off points right by the Pavilion Tea Room if needed.
Opening times
Opening times differ between months, but the garden is open 362 days of the year. Proposed hours for 2023 include:
November – February: 10 am – 4 pm (Closed 24th – 26th of December)
March – October: 9:30 am – 5 pm (Tea Room opens at 9 am)
Is It Dog Friendly?
Good news for dogs – they’re welcome on short leads every day from October to March. For Spring and Summer, however, welcome days will be confirmed early in the year.