Gardens of South Wales

Our early morning begins at The Alex Hotel in Dublin, where we meet our garden tour guide, Brona Dore, before boarding a morning coach transfer to Rosslare Port for our Irish Ferries sailing to Pembroke. (Provisional sailing times: 08:45 – 12:46). 

Upon arrival, we visit the enchanting Picton Castle Gardens, a remarkable 14th-century stronghold set in the heart of Pembrokeshire. Renowned for its outstanding plant collections, Picton offers a true haven for garden enthusiasts. Highlights include ancient woodlands, a beautifully designed Walled Garden, a lush Jungle Garden, and a nationally significant collection of rare ferns. 

In the late afternoon, we continue to our hotel, where we’ll enjoy dinner together.

After enjoying a leisurely breakfast, we depart for a visit to the National Botanic Garden of Wales—a remarkable centre for conservation, horticulture, science, leisure, and the arts. Here, we will discover a variety of themed gardens as well as the world’s largest single-span glasshouse, home to an extraordinary collection of rare and endangered plants.

In the afternoon, we continue to Aberglasney Gardens, a celebrated heritage site nestled in the picturesque Tywi Valley. Spanning 10 acres, this inspiring garden is one of the most impressive restoration projects in recent history. Showcasing a rich array of styles, highlights include the enchanting Alpinum, the tranquil Cloister Garden, the exotic Ninfarium, and the striking Rose Wall.

Our day begins with a visit to Llwyngarreg Garden, a charming 4-acre haven created in 2000. This inspiring garden captivates visitors with its rare and unusual plants, alongside features such as an exotic sunken garden and a serene woodland garden.

In the afternoon, we continue to Colby Woodland Garden, a peaceful retreat set within a secluded valley rich in industrial heritage. Here, we’ll enjoy sweeping meadows filled with native wildflowers, a flourishing Woodland Garden, and a beautifully restored Victorian walled garden showcasing vibrant formal displays.

We end the day at the enchanting Upton Castle Gardens, nestled amid the wooded slopes of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Spanning 35 acres, these listed historic gardens boast a remarkable collection of rare trees and shrubs, complemented by a formal rose garden, colourful herbaceous borders, and an authentic early 19th-century walled vegetable garden.

We begin the day at the National Trust’s Llanerchaeron Estate, a traditional Welsh property that offers a fascinating glimpse into the past. The estate includes a villa, servants’ quarters, stables, and farm buildings, as well as an enchanting walled garden. Within its walls, visitors will find thriving kitchen gardens, ancient fruit trees, remnants of historic horticultural techniques, colourful herbaceous borders, and a fragrant herb garden.

In the afternoon, we continue to Cae Hir Gardens, a remarkable Welsh creation with Dutch roots. Set across five acres of hillside at the foot of the dramatic Cambrian Mountains, the garden is celebrated for its bold planting schemes. Sweeping drifts of perennials and wildflowers blend effortlessly to create a tapestry of vibrant, natural colour.

After checking out of our hotel this morning, we visit Dyffryn Fernant Garden, a captivating six-acre modern garden created from an ancient landscape. Its charm lies in the way a variety of distinct areas—such as the Front Garden, Rickyard, Courtyard, Orchard, and Bog Garden—blend together to form a harmonious whole.

In the afternoon, we begin our journey home with a transfer to Fishguard Port for our Stena Line sailing (provisional times: 14:00 – 17:30). On arrival in Dublin, we return to The Alex Hotel, Fenian Street, where we will arrive in the late afternoon.