ONE HISTORIC GARDEN presents a fabulous calendar of events at our seven restored and revitalised gardens in South and West Wales - from the famous Daffodil Season and Bluebell Walks, to a pop-up restaurant in a castle on Mother's Day and night-time bat and moth spotting. We have over 80 special events to tempt lovers of the great outdoors - not to mention seven restored parks, gardens and woodlands to rediscover.
 

In South and West Wales, seven historic gardens, parks and woodlands have been given a great regeneration boost by the European Regional Development Fund through Visit Wales and the Welsh Government. Each of the properties has a wonderful events programme for 2014 (a sample of which can be found below). A full list of all events at the seven properties can be found on the Events page of the One Historic Garden website.

Aberglasney Gardens – here the unique cloister garden and rare parapet wall, hidden for centuries, were restored 16 years ago. Now the magnificent Georgian mansion has been brought back to life and is host to a series of delightful exhibitions and events. Don’t miss the ancient yew tunnel and the fantastical Ninfarium where tropical plants grow among the ruined walls of the central courtyard of the mansion.

Event: Early March to mid-May – Daffodil Season

Follow the beautiful daffodil trail through the garden – there are more varieties to see than ever. A glorious experience to enjoy from early March onwards.
 

At Bryngarw Country Park the elegant 18th-century country house nestles in 113 acres of woods and fields. Now it is home to an amazing selection of wildlife from bats, birds and butterflies to the more bashful polecat, nuthatch and dipper. Highly skilled rangers offer fascinating bush craft courses such as foraging and den building.

Event: 22nd-23rd March 2014 – Ranger Skills Weekend

Learn traditional rangers’ skills like campfire cooking, wild food foraging and using a trail camera to capture the activities of resident mammals.
 

Colby Woodland Garden is a haven for woodland play and encourages families with children to come and enjoy the natural attractions. There are no `Keep off the Grass’ signs here, just rope swings and stepping stones across the streams. Historically, Colby was famed for the anthracite mined in its small woodland pits – a fuel favoured by Queen Victoria for its ‘smoke-free’ quality.

Event: late Spring – Bluebell Walks at Colby Woodland

Few sights quicken the heart like masses of bluebells – and the upper West-wood at Colby is a picture in late spring.

Dylan Thomas spent his childhood playing in Cwmdonkin Park, recalling “that park grew up with me”. As the centenary of his birth is celebrated this year, the park that inspired Wales’ favourite modern poet to write many of his poems has been fully restored, with new interpretation panels installed.

Event: 6th September 2014 – Green Fuse Festival in Cwmdonkin Park  

The Friends of Cwmdonkin Park, Elysium Gallery and the City and County of Swansea present a day of acoustic music, poetry, storytelling, promenading theatre and multi-activity art workshops. This free event brings the legacy of Dylan Thomas to families and adults in a park that was his ‘…world within the world’.

Margam Country Park may now host film crews from around the world but its fairytale castellated mansion and 1,000 acres of land tell an 800-year story featuring monastic ruins, a restored exotic orangery and citrus house, and an ancient walled kitchen garden on its way to being brought back to life.

Event: 30th March 2014 – Mothering Sunday Lunch

Tuck into a Tudor-style banquet in the castle in the ‘pop up restaurant’ by local chef Justin Rees. There’s a champagne and canapé reception on arrival – what a treat for mum!

Penllergare Valley Woods are undergoing one of the more dramatic transformations after being left in disarray and disrepair for some decades. A team of dedicated volunteers is painstakingly uncovering and restoring the 250-acre “edge of wilderness” valley and its amazing terraces and waterfalls built by early photographer John Dillwyn Llewelyn. The Penllergare Observatory, from which one of the earliest photos of the moon was taken, will also be restored in 2014.

Event: 3rd May 2014 – Bat and Moth night-time walk

Find out about bats and moths of the River Llan and Penllergare Valley Woods on this night-time walk/talk with The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales and The Penllergare Trust. Includes setting a moth trap.

Scolton Manor in Pembrokeshire persuades you to step back in time to the life of a Victorian country squire. The large walled garden is undergoing extensive restoration with an exotic ‘hot’ pineapple house already up and working. The ‘Honey Kitchen’ where honey from the estate is processed and bottled is buzzing, and the new museum store and viewing barn for the agricultural collection is underway.

Event: 29th June 2014 – Race for Life

Take on a 5k Race for Life – run, walk or dance your way through the scenic route. Also bring family and friends for support: there will be stalls, face painting, bouncy castles and other entertainment.

Discover lots more adventures, days out and special events in our natural playgrounds at www.onehistoricgarden.co.uk

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors:
1. One Historic Garden is part-funded through EU’s Convergence European Regional Development Fund through Visit Wales and Welsh Government.

2. Large image library available, see our Flickr Gallery

3. Press trips welcome

Contact: Colette Walker, Blue Sail Colette.walker@bluesail.com 07988 447573

http://www.onehistoricgarden.co.uk/press

Twitter @1historicgarden