National Botanic Garden of Wales
Llanarthne, Carmarthenshire, SA32 8HG
0870 042 4563
Category:
Places to visit
The National Botanic Garden of Wales is one of the most fascinating gardens in the UK. Now in its eighth year, this rapidly maturing garden is the most visited in Wales and is helping to conserve some of the rarest plants in the world. Created within a beautiful 568-acre Regency park, this landmark visitor destination combines 200-year-old historical features with spectacular modern architecture and landscaping, and a collection of some 100,000 different plants, many rare and endangered. The elegant Great Glasshouse is the only place in the world where you can visit the Mediterranean, South Africa, Australia, Chile and California on the same day.
Outside, Europe's longest herbaceous border creates a colourful corridor with thousands of perennials and shrubs. And there are gardens within the Garden, from the award-winning Japanese one to the bog and boulder gardens, as well as enchanting water features. Exhibitions include a 19th-century Apothecary's, Bioverse which explores the wonders of how plants work and the 360° Theatre Botanica, a unique introduction to the plant world. There's an excellent café and restaurant, and plant sales area.
The restored three-acre Double Walled Garden will, eventually, be home to flowering plants from nearly every family and thousands have already been planted. Other projects include Woods of the World, a tropical butterfly house, extended play areas and an activity garden, Ready Steady Grow, for children. There is always plenty to see and do with activities and events throughout the year. And the plant displays change dramatically with the seasons, from spring carpets of snowdrops and daffodils to wonderful autumn colours.
Visit National Botanic Garden of Wales
27 October 2008 - 30 March 2009 10.00am – 4.30pm. 30 March 2009 – 26 October 2009 10.00am – 6.00pm. Closed Christmas Day.
0870 042 4563
calls charged at national rate
www.gardenofwales.org.uk