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Spring Gardens of South Wales
RHS Cardiff Flower Show
Aberglasney, Castle Coch,
Dyffryn and Tredegar House
National Botanical Garden of Wales
Staying at The Mercure Holland House Cardiff
13 – 16 April 2010 (3 nights)
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Spring comes early to South Wales so an ideal time to visit the historic and impressive gardens at Dyffryn, the intimate enchanting and inspiring ‘garden lost in time’ at Aberglasney. The National Botanic Garden of Wales in Carmarthenshire - the first new botanic garden to be built in Britain for 200 years. Lord Bute’s fairytale Castle Coch and probably the most impressive mansion in Wales, Tredegar House. Finally the RHS Cardiff Flower Show held in the magnificent Bute Park against the backdrop of Cardiff Castle. Staying in the centre of Cardiff at the four star Mercure Holland House – ideally located for exploring the city and enjoying the flower show.
Tuesday 13 April: Check into the hotel before a welcome drink and dinner.
Wednesday 14 April: Depart by executive coach for the National Botanic Gardens at Llanarthne, set in 600 acres of 18thC parkland with exotic flowers and foliage, lakes, waterfalls and cascades. The centrepiece is Norman Foster’s Great Glass House designed to house a collection of Mediterranean plants from both hemispheres and filled with colour at this time of year. Continuing to Aberglasney, the garden spans many centuries, its origins are shrouded in mystery but a jewel in the British gardens' crown. The nine-acre garden includes a unique Elizabethan and Jacobean cloister garden and woodland walk. Spring is an ideal time to visit when many of its rare spring flowers are in full bloom. There will be a forty-five minute garden tour, time to independently look around and perhaps find tea before returning to Cardiff to dine in the hotel.
Thursday 15 April: Hidden in the hills north of Cardiff, Castle Coch is an enchanting Victorian Gothic medieval fantasy, created by the brilliantly eccentric architect William Burgess with seemingly limitless funds provided by the third Marquess of Bute, who used it as his summer residence, a Victorian extravaganza of imaginative decoration. Then to Dyffryn Gardens, returned to its former glory this restored Grade I listed Edwardian garden has many different themed areas set amongst broad sweeping lawns including - the famous Pompeian garden, theatre garden, cloister garden, rose garden, and exceptional arboretum containing many rare trees. Lunch can be purchased in the small restaurant. Finally Tredegar House for a guided tour of this lovely 17th century mansion – from state rooms to servants quarters this house vividly portrays the life and work of the country house in its heyday.
Friday 16 April – Check out of your rooms before making your way to the RHS Flower Show – a ten-minute walk or taxi if you prefer. This is the showcase for the best of the specialist plant nurseries found in Wales and is very manageable size for a morning visit without the crowds.
Price per person £447
Single Supplement £66
Non refundable deposit £100
Tour price can be adjusted should you only want a two night tour (13/15 April)
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Executive coaching and professional guide. |
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3 nights accommodation, breakfast and dinner, welcome reception. |
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All entries and private tours as stated |
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Good train service to Cardiff. Short taxi ride from Central Station. Parking at the hotel (chargeable). As a great centre for arts – you might consider booking tickets for concerts at St David’s Hall or the hit musical Hairspray (with Michael Ball) at the Wales Millennium Centre.
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Staying at Mercure Holland House Hotel, Cardiff |
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