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Garden Name: National Botanic Garden of Wales
Last Modified: 27/01/2011
Garden ID: 0496

pic: 0496_NatArboretum.jpg

Owner: Ben Thomas
Address:
Llanarthne
Camarthenshire

Postcode: SA32 8HG
County: Wales

tel: 01558 668768 or 667148/9
fax: 01558 668933
website: www.gardenofwales.org.uk
email: adurran {at} gardenofwales.org.uk

Features: 
New Tropical House opened in 2007.

English Heritage Grade:


Opening Times:
Every Day except Christmas Day. 
1st Jan - 31st Mar; 10am - 4.30pm
1st Apr - 30th Sept; 10am - 6pm, last admissions 5pm

Best Times of Year to Visit: 


To see: 


National Collection: 


National Garden Scheme days: Yes
Comments: 

Parties / Coaches: Yes 
Comments: Car parking space for up to 20 coaches and coach drivers/tour couriers will be let in free and given a voucher to have a snack at our cafˇ or restaurant

Viewing by Appointment: Yes
Comments:  

House Open for Viewing: No
Comments: 

Admission Prices:
From 1st Apr - 30th Sept; Adult £8.50; Child (5-16) £4.50: Concession £7; Family £21 
Group discount of £1 on adult and concession price. Guided tours for groups £25 charge

Parking: Yes
Lavatories: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Shop: Yes
Plants for Sale: Yes
Lunches: Yes
Teas: Yes
Refreshments: Yes
Picnics: Yes
Dogs allowed: No
Only on Lead: No
Events: Yes

Other Facilities:
No dogs except guide dogs.


Designer: 
Description of Garden:
The beautiful National Botanic Garden of Wales, near Llanarthne in Camarthenshire, has been hailed a great success by visitors from far and near who have enjoyed all that the 568-acre parkland has to offer, its historic and futuristic buildings, its horticultural displays and flower meadows, its lakes and walks, its shops and cafes.
 
The Garden's centrepiece is the Great Glasshouse designed by world-famous architects Norman Foster and Partners Inside the amazing tilted glass dome is a Mediterranean landscape dominated by a six-metre deep ravine. Rock terraces and sheer faces are cut by streams and waterfalls. A lake provides a humid habitat at the foot of the chasm. Visitors are able to experience the aftermath of an Australian bush fire, pause in a Spanish olive grove or wander through collections of fuschias from Chile.

 A stunning new Tropical House opened in 2007.

There's something for everyone at the Garden of Wales, from the peaceful surroundings of the Japanese Garden, its stream, tea house and cherry trees to the surround-sound experience of Theatre Botanica with its specially commissioned film celebrating the world of plants.

There are lakeside walks and prairie walks, an opportunity to see the development of the unique Double Walled Garden and be some of the first to see the shoots that will become the Woods of the World in years to come. 

Award-winning water sculptures link the past with the present, bringing 1790s garden and lake design side by side with contemporary art design.


History: 
The National Botanic Garden of Wales is set in the former Regency estate of Sir Wiliam Paxton. The landscape was desiged by Samuel Lapidge, a pupil of 'Capability' Brown.

Local Inns: 
Salutation, Pontargothi
White Hart Inn, Llanddarog

Accomodation: 
Capel Dewi Uchaf Country House, Carmarthen

Restaurants: 
Cwmtwrch, Four Seasons Restaurant

Village/Town/Sightseeing: