The National Botanic Garden of Wales is “hands down one of Britain’s most phenomenal gardens . . . wholly deserving of a full day’s exploration”.
Not our words but what is written about us by the world’s most iconic travel guide publisher, Lonely Planet.
Their latest title, the Ultimate United Kingdom Travelist – which is out today (August 13) – features the very best of Britain’s unmissable destinations.
It describes the Botanic Garden as “a thrilling floral romp” which “commands sensational views” and features the biggest single-span glasshouse in the world.
The Garden’s head of marketing, David Hardy said: “We are very honoured to be featured in the ultimate UK travel hit-list. Lonely Planet is the world’s No 1 travel guidebook brand and sells guides and travel apps by the hundreds of millions so this a fantastic accolade for our attraction and for everyone who has helped make it such an unmissable experience.”
The new guide ranks “in order of their brilliance” tiny pubs, giant cathedrals, inky lochs, world-class museums, gardens and all things great about Britain. Each entry gives a taste of what to expect, plus practical advice for planning your trip. Mr Hardy added: “It is pretty special to be ranked here alongside the likes of the Lake District, Stonehenge, Hadrian’s Wall and Notting Hill Carnival.”
Set in the beautiful Carmarthenshire countryside, the National Botanic Garden of Wales is a fascinating blend of the modern and historic.
Here you will find, along with the world’s largest single-span glasshouse, an inspiring range of themed gardens, the British Bird of Prey Centre, a tropical Butterfly House, play areas and a national nature reserve, all set in a Regency landscape which provides the stage for a packed programme of events and courses throughout the year. And you can develop your horticultural skills and knowledge with the Garden’s Growing the Future project, with a variety of gardening and beekeeping-based courses on throughout the year.
Carmarthenshire County Council Leader Emlyn Dole said: “This recognition is fantastic. The Garden is a great day out for all ages, and there is always lots to see and do whatever time of the year you visit. Hopefully, this will encourage even more people to visit, which is not only great news for the Garden but for Carmarthenshire itself and for our growing tourist industry.”
Executive Board Member for Culture, Sport and Tourism Cllr Peter Hughes-Griffiths said: “I am delighted. This accolade will undoubtedly help to raise the profile of this wonderful Garden which we are so fortunate to have here on our doorstep in Carmarthenshire. If you are looking for somewhere to take the family this summer, then this is the perfect place to visit.”
Other tourist honeypots in Wales included are: Snowdon, Llyn-y-Fan Fach, Skomer, Portmeirion, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, St David’s Cathedral, Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Caernarfon Castle, Barafundle Bay, St Fagan’s and the Royal Welsh Show.
That Lonely Planet listing in full:
Branch out at the National Botanic Garden of Wales
SOUTH WALES // Spreading across a 560-acre Regency Park developed
by Sir William Paxton, the National Botanic Garden of Wales commands
sensational views across the hills and Towy Valley. Its centrepiece is the
Norman Foster–designed Great Glasshouse, the world’s largest single-span
glasshouse, presenting a thrilling floral romp through California,
Australia, the Canaries, Chile, South Africa and the Mediterranean.
And there’s more: a double-walled garden showcasing the evolution
of flowering plants, an apothecary’s garden of healing herbs, a Welsh
apple orchard full of uncommon varieties, a bee garden with a behind-the-
hive window, a bird of prey centre, and a glasshouse aflutter
with rare butterflies. Hands down one of Britain’s most phenomenal
gardens, it’s wholly deserving of a full day’s exploration.
SEE IT ! The garden is a 10-minute drive from the M4 and two
minutes from the A48 in Carmarthenshire.