May’s Unforgettable Garden of the Month is Plas Cadnant, a historic garden under restoration on the Isle of Anglesey, nominated by Sandra Pullen of the Gardens Trust.
Described as one of North Wales’ best kept secrets, the hidden world of Plas Cadnant Gardens is situated just across the Menai Suspension Bridge that connects Anglesey to the North Wales mainland. Originally created in 1804, the gardens thrived until the 1920s, when the estate was split and sold to various owners.
In 1996 the property was purchased by Anthony Tavernor, who has carried out a spectacular transformation of the 200-acre estate, reversing over 70 years of neglect. During the restoration, three different gardens were discovered, including an unusual walled garden with curving walls and pool, a secret valley garden with three waterfalls and river, and an upper woodland garden with stone outcrops and the remains of a 19th century folly. This once derelict site is now becoming a plantsman’s paradise, and has won an award from the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales and gained a place in the book The Finest Gardens of Wales by Tony Russell.
A guided walk of the gardens with Anthony Tavernor and the Head Gardener is one of the highlights of the Gardens Trust Welsh Study Weekend in September. Don’t miss your chance to see this fabulous garden as tickets are selling fast!
Book now – The Gardens Trust Welsh Study Weekend Tickets, Fri 22 Sep 2023 at 15:00 | Eventbrite
Image credit: Anthony Tavernor