Glorious Gardens! Magical Places to Visit this Summer
Published on 26 Jun 2025 by Amy GreenwoodLooking for a breath of fresh air this summer? North Wales is bursting into bloom, and what better way to soak up the season than by exploring one of its many glorious gardens! From grand estates with manicured terraces and sweeping coastal views, to Mediterranean-inspired borders and wildflower-filled meadows, these glorious gardens are the perfect places to relax and recharge.
Whether you’re a keen gardener, a nature lover, or simply after a scenic stroll and a slice of cake, here are some of the most magical gardens to visit this summer.
Plas Newydd House & Garden, Anglesey
Overlooking the sparkling waters of the Menai Strait, Plas Newydd is a National Trust property that offers both impressive history and breathtaking gardens. The Grade I listed landscape consists of 129 acres of woodland and parkland, and 40 acres of gardens including a mix of sweeping lawns, manicured terraces, peaceful wooded glades and vibrant borders. Explore the secluded and peaceful Rhododendron Garden, wander among multicoloured hydrangeas, admire the Mediterranean-inspired borders bursting with colour, or stroll along the arboretum beneath towering trees.
The sloping lawns near the house are perfect for picnicking or simply lying back and soaking in the views. Kids will love the impressive treehouse, and there’s plenty of space to run, roam, or enjoy the simple joy of rolling down a grassy hill!
Look out for red squirrels darting through the woodland – Plas Newydd is one of the few places in Wales where they still thrive.
Find it: Plas Newydd House and Garden, Llanfairpwll, Anglesey, LL61 6DQ
Bodnant Garden, Conwy
Bodnant is one of the most famous gardens in Wales – and for good reason. This glorious garden is spread across 80 acres, a horticultural wonderland with formal lawns, wildflower meadows, towering trees, and exotic plants from around the world. There are hidden corners to discover at every turn – from tranquil lily ponds and bubbling streams, to romantic rose terraces and shady woodland glades.
In early summer, the Laburnum Arch steals the show, drawing visitors from far and wide to walk beneath its tunnel of golden flowers. Later in the season, the rose gardens are at their best, awash with colour and fragrance, while borders and beds across the garden burst into bloom with vibrant perennials, flowering shrubs, and rare exotics.
With sweeping views across the Conwy Valley to the Carneddau mountains, Bodnant is a feast for the senses and a magical place to visit this summer.
Find it: Bodnant Garden, Tal-y-Cafn, near Colwyn Bay, Conwy, LL28 5RE
Portmeirion, Penrhyndeudraeth
Portmeirion might be best known for Clough Williams-Ellis’ whimsical architecture and colourful Italianate buildings, but the surrounding gardens are just as magical. The Gwyllt (wild wood in Welsh), a 70-acre subtropical forest, is filled with rare plants, secret paths, and hidden pagodas. Towering trees – some of Britain’s largest – monkey puzzle trees, pines, magnolias, camellias, giant rhododendrons, and even palm trees give this place an exotic feel, making it unlike anywhere else in Wales.
Explore 19 miles of pathways, wander the exotic Japanese Garden with its pagoda and lily-covered lake and discover the famous dog cemetery. A land train will take you around the woodland gardens if you prefer not to walk.
Between the quirky village and the stunning and varied gardens of The Gwyllt, it’s easy to while away a day in this magical paradise.
Find it: Portmeirion, Minffordd, Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd, LL48 6ER
Plas Cadnant Hidden Gardens, Anglesey
Described as one of North Wales best kept secrets, Plas Cadnant Hidden Gardens is a lovingly restored secret garden, close to Menai Bridge.
Once a beautiful Victorian estate, the 200 acre gardens and grounds lay neglected for 70 years until the current owners began a labour of love to restore them to their former glory. Over the last 30 years these once-forgotten historic gardens have been brought back to life with a walled garden, valley gardens, tumbling waterfalls and shady woodland walks.
Wander through formal gardens, discover tumbling waterfalls, fern-lined woodland paths and vibrant azaleas. It’s peaceful, picturesque, and a true hidden gem – perfect for a relaxed afternoon surrounded by nature. Whether you’re a plant enthusiast or simply in search of serenity, Plas Cadnant is a magical escape well worth discovering.
Find it: Plas Cadnant, Cadnant Rd, Menai Bridge, LL59 5NH
Plas Newydd House and Gardens, Llangollen
Not to be confused with its namesake in Anglesey, Plas Newydd in Llangollen is an enchanting place to visit with an enthralling and eccentric history. This unique house was once home to Lady Eleanor Butler and Miss Sarah Ponsonby – better known as the ‘Ladies of Llangollen’.
The house is surrounded by beautifully maintained gardens and peaceful woodland. Winding paths meander past ornate Gothic features, herb gardens, and quiet benches with scenic views of the surrounding hills. It may be small, but it’s wonderfully atmospheric – a magical place that has delighted famous visitors including Sir Walter Scott, Josiah Wedgwood, the Duke of Wellington, and literary greats like Wordsworth and Shelley.
Find it: Plas Newydd House and Gardens, Hill St, Llangollen, LL20 8AW
Plas Brondanw, Llanfrothen
Designed by Clough Williams Ellis, the Grade I listed gardens at Plas Brondanw may not be as famous as his village of Portmeirion, but many people consider them to be his most marvellous creation.
Surrounded by mountain peaks, Plas Brondanw is one of the best-kept secrets in North Wales and was home to Sir Clough and his wife Anabel for over 70 years. Inspired by the gardens of renaissance Italy, strong architectural influences can be seen within the gardens – stone walls, topiary, pools, fountains and avenues of trees which lead the eye to the dramatic borrowed landscape beyond.
Other features include a woodland walk with several “eye-catchers” set at the end of beautiful avenues of trees, a spectacular cascade and pool, and a folly tower built to honour Williams-Ellis’s marriage in 1915.
Set within Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, the garden is designed to provide a series of superb views and romantic prospects of the surrounding mountains and sea. It is truly a historical and horticultural gem not to be missed.
Find it: Plas Brondanw Gardens, Llanfrothen, Gwynedd, LL48 6SW
Whether you’re planning a romantic day out, some family fun, or a peaceful solo wander, these glorious North Wales gardens are the perfect summertime escape. With their blooming borders, secret paths, and spectacular views, they’re guaranteed to leave you feeling refreshed and inspired. Don’t forget your camera – and maybe a picnic blanket too!
