The Great Gardens of Snowdonia and Anglesey Tour
The Great Gardens of Snowdonia and Anglesey Tour
4 Days Starting and ending in Caernarfon, Wales
Visiting: Snowdonia, Conwy Valley, Portmeirion, Anglesey
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
0 - 40
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Meat
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating journey through the lush landscapes of Snowdonia and Anglesey with "The Great Gardens of Snowdonia and Anglesey Tour." This enchanting tour invites you to explore some of the most stunning gardens in the United Kingdom, including the stately Plas Newydd, the eccentric Portmeirion, and the ancestral home of Plas Brondanw. Discover the vibrant Maenan Hall and the breathtaking Bodnant Gardens, each offering a unique tapestry of flora and history. Witness the return of ospreys at the Glaslyn Osprey Centre and enjoy the serene beauty of Plas Cadnant Gardens. With comfortable accommodations at the four-star IXORA Hotel & Spa, this tour promises a delightful blend of nature, culture, and history, all guided by the expertise of horticulturalist Tony Russell. Enjoy seamless travel between sites with a coach touring itinerary, ensuring a memorable and enriching experience.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome drink, dinner and introductory talk from Tony Russell.
Location: Snowdonia
Accommodation Name: Celtic Royal Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
Arrive independently at the IXORA Hotel & Spa from 15.00. Welcome reception, dinner with wine and introductory talk ‘The Gardens of Snowdonia and Anglesey’, from your horticulturalist tour guide, Tony Russell.
Day 2: Maenan Hall and Bodnant Gardens.
Location: Conwy Valley
Accommodation Name: Celtic Royal Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Three days of remarkable gardens starts with Maenan Hall on the slopes of the Conwy Valley, which offers wonderful views of Snowdonia. Set in the grounds of a medieval manor house, amongst mature hardwoods, with sweeping lawns, ornamental ponds and a bluebell carpeted woodland dell containing copious specimen shrubs and tree, this is a gorgeous ten-acre garden created by the Aberconway family over seventy years and is awash with colour. Afternoon visit to the National Trust’s Bodnant Garden. Created over 150 years through the incredible vision of generations of the McLaren family and the Puddle head gardeners, Bodnant is a delight to the senses with its sweeping lawns, grand terraces, verdant woodland and stunning backdrop of the Carneddau mountains of Snowdonia. It boasts one of the best collections of rhododendrons, camellias, magnolias and azaleas in Britain. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 3: Plas Brondanw, Glaslyn Osprey Centre and Portmeirion.
Location: Snowdonia, Portmeirion
Accommodation Name: Celtic Royal Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning we travel through Snowdonia’s magnificent mountain and lake scenery to our first garden at Plas Brondanw, the ancestral home and Arts & Crafts garden of Sir Clough Williams-Ellis. Here the splendid landscaping offers yews, an orangery and glorious mountain views. We will then have the opportunity of visiting the Glaslyn Osprey Centre, to see the very first ospreys to nest in Wales for more than 100 years. Continuing on to the picturesque harbour town of Portmadog we will have time for a leisurely lunch (not included), before a packed but enjoyable day ends at the world-famous Italianate village and gardens of Portmeirion, designed by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, star of many TV series including cult 1970s series “The Prisoner.” Here, Tony will take us on a guided tour of these astonishing gardens, full of tender subtropical plants. Not only the eccentric architecture, but the shrubs, hedges, abundant flowers, lakes, woodland and stunning coastal views are nothing short of spectacular. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 4: Plas Newydd and Plas Cadnant.
Location: Anglesey
Accommodation Name: Celtic Royal Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
For our final day of visits, we head across the Menai Strait to Anglesey and the remarkable gardens of Plas Newydd, Anglesey, the stately home of the Marquess of Anglesey, which enjoys spectacular views over the Menai Straits to the Snowdon range beyond. The grounds, thanks to the benign climate, are rich in colours throughout the year and a fitting inclusion on the last day of this superb new tour. After time for lunch (not included) our last visit is to the remarkable gardens of Plas Cadnant. Once lost beneath a sea of woody weeds and trees, Plas Cadnant has, over the last twenty years, been lovingly and cleverly restored by owner Anthony Tavernor, who will be on hand to welcome us. Return to the hotel for approximately 17.30.
What's Included
-
Coach Touring Itinerary
The tour includes a coach touring itinerary for all guided tours and admissions, ensuring comfortable and convenient travel between the various garden locations.
-
Three nights’ bed and breakfast
Three nights’ bed and breakfast at the four-star IXORA Hotel & Spa, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room.
What's Not Included
-
Transport to the Hotel
Transport to the hotel is not included.
-
Double Room for Sole Use Supplement
A supplement of £108 is required for a double room for sole use.
-
Lunch on Day 3 and Day 4
Lunch is not included on Day 3 and Day 4 of the tour.
Mode of Transport
Transport to the hotel is not included. The tour features a coach touring itinerary for all guided tours and admissions, ensuring comfortable and convenient travel between the various garden locations.
Accommodation
The IXORA Hotel & Spa in Conwy offers a luxurious stay with a spa, wellness center, garden, terrace, bar, and restaurant. Guests enjoy comfortable bedrooms with modern amenities, including en-suite bathrooms, TV, free Wi-Fi, and tea/coffee making facilities. Complimentary parking is available.
MORE INFO
Your Guide/LecturerTony Russell has worked in horticulture for almost 40 years, including 14 years in charge of Britain's National Arboretum at Westonbirt and 10 years as plant consultant to the National Trust. During this time Tony has also presented several television and radio programmes, as well as appearing as a panellist on BBC Radio 4's Gardeners Question Time. He is the author of 20 published books on gardens, plants and trees and the editor of the annual publicationGreat Gardens to Visit. Tony is currently consulting on a large, new arboretum being created at Rahanna House in Ireland and in 2024 will be leading a number of exclusive garden and plant-based tours, both in the UK and overseas.Please note that all our UK tours start and finish at the relevant hotel. You can normally check in from 3pm onwards but hotels will always be happy to store your luggage if you arrive earlier in the day.
For full details of how to get to the hotel, directions and the nearest train station, please click on the hotel website or call our office for details. These will also be sent automatically with your confirmation.
The welcome reception and first evening dinner / talk will commence at about 7pm - full details will be sent with your joining instructions about 10 days prior to the arrival date.
Check out our Q&As
-
What is included in the tour's transportation?
The tour includes a coach touring itinerary for all guided tours and admissions, ensuring comfortable and convenient travel between the various garden locations. However, transport to the hotel is not included.
-
Who will be guiding the tour?
The tour will be guided by Tony Russell, a horticulturalist with almost 40 years of experience, including 14 years in charge of Britain's National Arboretum at Westonbirt and 10 years as a plant consultant to the National Trust.
-
What can I expect on the first day of the tour?
On the first day, you will arrive independently at the IXORA Hotel & Spa from 15:00. There will be a welcome reception, dinner with wine, and an introductory talk titled 'The Gardens of Snowdonia and Anglesey' by your tour guide, Tony Russell.
-
What are some of the highlights of the gardens visited on the tour?
The tour includes visits to Maenan Hall with its sweeping lawns and ornamental ponds, Bodnant Gardens known for its rhododendrons and azaleas, Plas Brondanw with its Arts & Crafts garden, and the Italianate village of Portmeirion with its subtropical plants.
-
Will there be any opportunities to see wildlife during the tour?
Yes, on the third day of the tour, there is an opportunity to visit the Glaslyn Osprey Centre to see the first ospreys to nest in Wales in over 100 years.
-
What is the accommodation like during the tour?
The accommodation is at the four-star IXORA Hotel & Spa in Conwy, which includes facilities such as a spa and wellness centre, garden, terrace, bar, restaurant, and comfortable bedrooms with modern amenities.
-
What is the schedule for the final day of the tour?
On the final day, the tour visits the gardens of Plas Newydd and Plas Cadnant on Anglesey. After time for lunch, the tour concludes with a return to the hotel at approximately 17:30.
-
What documents will I receive before I travel?
Final joining instructions and documentation will be despatched approximately 10 days before travel.
-
Do I need any Visas or Vaccinations for my holidays?
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change. Please check with your local doctor/GP about the current Vaccination requirements of the country you are visiting. For Visa enquiries, please contact the Embassy of the country you are visiting.
-
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Generally, single and double rooms carry the same price, which means that single supplements for certain itineraries can seem high. We would be pleased to arrange for clients travelling alone to share with another client, however this is subject to somebody in the same situation booking on the tour. If you would be interested in this option, please let us know at the time of enquiry/booking.
-
Where does the tour manager meet us?
In most cases the tour manager will travel out with the tour group from the UK. However, this is not always the case and the tour manager may meet you at the destination station / airport. The exact details specific to your tour will be given to you in your final documentation, 10 days prior to departure.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
1 Select your preferred date
Wednesday - Saturday
Jun 04, 2025 - Jun 07, 2025Book with Confidence
-
Free Date Changes
CTS demo white label allows you to make 20 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
-
Low Deposit
CTS demo white label requires a minimum deposit of 55% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
-
Terms and Conditions