Spring at the Finest Hotel Gardens in Wales - Stay at historic Bodysgallen Hall and explore the exquisite gardens of North Wales
North Wales is home to beautifully landscaped estates open to the public. This magical corner of Wales is where the unique Llandudno Pier sits. Just 10 minutes from Bodysgallen Hall, Llandudno is a perfectly preserved Victorian seaside resort enclosed by the headlands of the Great Orme & Little Orme. Visitors can stroll across Llandudno’s main beach and head up onto the classic Victorian pier. This landmark was originally built in 1876.
Spring is also the perfect time to explore Welsh gardens starting at Bodysgallen Hall with its 220 acres of gardens and parkland. The gardens at this historic hotel have been described as the finest hotel gardens in Wales. Guests can truly embrace the outdoors with a stay at Bodysgallen Hall including monthly themed garden tours hosted by the hotel’s Head Gardener.
The wider area of North Wales offers plenty of fresh air and wonderful landscapes. Devotees of the Italianate vision will love the National Trust owned Bodnant Garden. Leading up to the Hall, the upper garden has five terraces, featuring brick paths, lily ponds, formal lawns and herbaceous plants. Below, trees and shrubs flank The Dell, passed by the River Hiraethlyn. Homegrown collections include Chinese, North American and Japanese plants. This is a must visit garden. 15 mins by car.
Elsewhere and for fans of both stunning views and longer walks, head to the Great Orme Country Park which was dedicated to local residents by Lord Mostyn in 1887, offering splendid views of the town more than a century on. Take a sloping walk to the charming landscaped gardens forming part of them, then lie back and relax under the ancient trees towering above. 14 mins by car.
Further away and first planted more than 150 years ago and enhanced ever since, you’ll reach Portmeirion’s. Here the mild climate means that you can see all sorts of trees along the coastline, from Himalayan Firs to Variegated Sycamore. The shrubs, hedges, abundant flowers, lakes and woodland are nothing short of spectacular in any season. You could spend hours exploring Y Gwyllt (the woods behind the village) – you’ll find something new every time. The Japanese Garden and pagoda is a wonderful surprise hidden away in the woods. 1 hour 10 mins by car.
After spending time exploring the north Wales landscape, a warm welcome awaits at the area’s leading historic hotel. Bodysgallen Hall is an award-winning hotel home to one of North Wales’ finest restaurants awarded 3 AA Rosettes serving traditional Welsh cuisine. The hotel is also home to a spa with an indoor swimming pool. The hotel offers 31 spacious bedrooms, a combination of rooms in the main house and cottages within the grounds. The gardens are a true highlight here and have been featured on the BBC show ‘Glorious Gardens from Above’ and several garden tours have been unveiled for 2024.
The gardens at the hotel are both manicured and natural meaning a wide variety of plants and trees await. Forthcoming themed garden tours hosted by the Head Gardener include:
- ‘Beautiful Blossom’ – April 2024 – Wednesday 10th April
- ‘Early Blooms’ – May 2024 – Wednesday 1st May
- ‘The Month of Roses’ – June 2024 – Wednesday 5th June
The garden tours are hosted by Head Gardener Robert Owen. Robert has worked at Bodysgallen for over 35 years, and with his team oversees the restoration programme of the award-winning gardens.
Throughout the year Robert hosts the programme of themed Garden Tours, which give guests an insight into the restoration and ongoing work that take place in the gardens through the seasons. Guests arrive at 2pm in the Drawing Room for coffee and then at 2.15pm go on the tour. This is followed at 3.15pm by a full Welsh Afternoon Tea in the upstairs Drawing Room. A change of shoes is recommended. RHS members receive a discount.
The gardens include a rare 17th century parterre of box hedges filled with sweet-scented herbs, a rockery with a cascade, a walled rose garden, and several follies. Several woodland walks enhance the outdoor experience. Search out the Gothic Tower within the woodland and the Obelisk located on top of Ffrith Hill. An additional highlight is that of a kitchen garden providing the freshest of ingredients for the dining menus. There is also an abundance of seasonal foliage for the in-house arrangements.
During a stay at Bodysgallen Hall guests are invited to discover Welsh Whisky with a tour of the Penderyn Whisky Distillery in Llandudno. Learn about the history of Penderyn, how whisky is distilled, the water being brought down from its source deep within the Great Orme, and then aged in oak barrels giving the whisky its unique authentic flavour. You are promised a fascinating tour from guides who are passionate about their craft.
Bodysgallen Hall has been sympathetically restored by Historic House Hotels since 1980 and was given to the National Trust in 2008. It is the ideal hotel to discover the uniqueness of north Wales and this area of outstanding beauty.
www.bodysgallen.com Llandudno, North Wales, LL30 1RS Tel: +44 (0)1492 584 466
B&B priced from £275.00 per night based on two sharing
Garden tours are priced £36.00 per person including afternoon tea
