Day one of our holiday in Wales was spent driving from home to Llandudno. We normally drive to Porthmadog via Llangollen, Corwen and Bala but this time we wanted to visit Bodnant Gardens as we hadn't been there for such a long time. We dropped into Llandudno first to have a little walk around and the first thing we did was bump into some people from Stoke-on-Trent! We stood on the front overlooking the sea having a chat about this and that before setting off along the pier.
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It isn't far from Llandudno to Bodnant Gardens and we could see straight away that there had been some major changes most notably to the entrance. When we've visited before you had to take your life in your hands to cross the road to the entrance as this was where all the cars were coming down to and pulling into the car park - now there is a passage way under the road that comes out into the garden close to a brand new ticket office. I took far too many photos in the gardens so I've put them into collages to show as many as possible otherwise this post would be very long.
The roses and clematis were still flowering in the rose garden and all the roses I photographed were beautifully scented.
All the hydrangeas were at that gorgeous stage of faded 'paperiness' which I love so much.
Whilst late summer was still visible in the flower borders and rose garden in the woodlands and down in the dell autumn had definitely made its mark with some lovely orange and russet red colours.
I just loved the old mill which was down in the Dell near the River Hiraethlyn
The Pin Mill was an interesting building at the end of the canal terrace close to the rose garden. The building was moved to Bodnant Gardens from Woodchester in Gloucestershire in the 1930s. It dates from 1730 and was built as a garden house or shooting lodge. It became known as the Pin Mill when the owner converted it to a factory for the manufacture of dress making pins.
After a long wander around and a visit to the farm shop and tea shop we set off through Llanrwst, Betws-y -coed, Capel Curig and Beddgelert to our home for the next few days.
Bodnant's best in May when the laburnum is out! I love it. Gorgeous garden.
ReplyDeleteI was reading on the garden's blog about the man who maintains the laburnum arch having retired after 26 years. It is a lovely garden:)
DeleteBetws-y -coed is so pretty, I passed through there a couple of years ago after a visit to Snowdonia, didn't have time to stop but wished I had. It's looks a great place to walk from. I'm surprised that roses were still out at this time of year, really lovely to see along with the trees changing. Lovely photos and great post as always.
ReplyDeleteBetws-y-coed is very pretty but always so crowded with visitors. I expect first thing in the morning would be the best time before the coaches get there. I was surprised that there were still so many roses blooming it certainly was the scent of Summer in Autumn:)
DeleteThe photos look fantastic in the collages, stunning and where your little holiday home is, just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteIt is a lovely park where the caravan is up in the trees overlooking a stream - it belongs to our neighbours and they very kindly let us stay there:)
DeleteI have just got back from a short break on Llandudno - we stayed on the sea front, watching the stormy weather - and were with my partner's family, who are from Stoke on Trent... But that was the end of last week, so probably not them! Enjoy your break
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoyed your stay, Marianne - we were there the week before you I think - the people we spoke to were members of the Archaeological Society and were staying at Nebo. We were lucky to have dry weather the day we were there:)
DeleteSuch a lovely looking place. So verdant, beautiful coloured flowers and lovely stone walls and brickwork. I am sure I would feel inspired in such magical surroundings. x
ReplyDeleteI'm sure the colours and textures in the garden would be great inspiration for your craftwork, Simone:)
DeleteI've never been there but it looks great. I love Snowdonia and where you stayed looks great, I think I'd like to stay there too!
ReplyDeleteIt is a great place up in the woods near the stream - look up Abderdunant Caravan Park - most of the homes are privately owned - the one we stay in belongs to our neighbours - but they may hire them out too:)
DeleteIt's lovely to see photos of Bodnant in the Autumn. I visited years ago... in mid-summer.. and have always promised myself that I'd go again. Jx
ReplyDeleteWe were talking to one of the volunteer gardeners who said it was glorious in winter too when they have wood burners and hot refreshments spread around the garden - sounds wonderful:)
DeleteWe love Bodnant and as we are NT members and it's not that far for us we go several times each year and every year it gets better and better.We love Llandudno as well,so unspoilt.
ReplyDeleteYou are lucky to be close enough to visit often and in every season. Llandudno is lovely too:)
DeleteWhat fantastic photographs Rosie - It all looks very lovely. You always capture the essence of the seasons really well. xxxx
ReplyDeleteThank you Diane, the colours at the garden were lovely and as usual I took far too many photos:)
DeleteBodnant looks gorgeous1 I've never been there and din't realise it was close to LLandudno. Might try and get there next year.
ReplyDeleteIt is a lovely garden and only a few miles from Llandudno - it's well worth a visit:)
DeleteI know just what you mean about the paperiness of Hydrangeas. It's the stage at which I most love them too.
ReplyDeleteI don't know why but there is just something special about them at that stage isn't there?
DeleteWe enjoyed our time in Llandudno last year and I would have liked to have visited Bodnant. Another time...Your collages capture what must be a lovely garden at any time of the year. Each one shows the different aspects of it and the area where you stayed also looks delightful and peaceful.
ReplyDeleteThe garden is well worth a visit. I've only ever been in summer and autumn but I'm sure it is wonderful all through the year. The winter opening sounds interesting too:)
DeleteI've not been to Bodnant before although have been to Llandudno. However your pictures have given a wonderful glimpse into what I have missed. The gardens look beautiful and thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletePatricia x
Glad you enjoyed the photos, Patricia - the gardens are just a few miles south of Llandudno and well worth a visit:)
DeleteI love the old stone mill as well - what a wonderful looking building tucked into the landscape like that. I love all the autumn colours, too - and the roses; so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThere was something very special about the mill in its setting it was almost perfect and those roses were very beautiful for an October day:)
DeleteI can't believe there are still that many roses out at this time of year. It looks a lovely place and those stone buildings look as though they have been there since the beginning of time all moss covered, beautiful.
ReplyDeleteIt was early October when those roses were out and they looked just like height of summer ones. The stone mill was glorious - I wouldn't be at all surprised to see it used as a film location at some point:)
DeleteHi Rosie,
ReplyDeleteI saw Bodnant Gardens on television recently: such a beautiful place to visit. The flowers are stunning and imagine still enjoying roses this late in the year ~ the aroma from those old roses is gorgeous.
Thanks for sharing your visit and I hope that you had an enjoyable holiday. It is ages since I last visited, but my blogging has been very sporadic this summer.
Enjoy your weekend. I'm off to search the library for some of those books you've been reading, as you always seem to find some great reads.
Marie x
Lovely to see you here, Marie! Hope all is well. Bodnant is a lovely garden. I hope you enjoy reading some of the books:)
DeleteWhat lovely colour you have captured, who could believe roses in October?
ReplyDeleteThe roses and clematis were stunning for the first week of October:)
Deletesuch happy memories, you stirred. Isn't Bodnant beautiful and indeed N. Wales. When I visited I was captivated by both! Its great to catch up with you again. Love Darcy, Bingley and Helen xxx
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to see you here - yes Bodnant is very beautiful:)
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