Wonderful Welsh gardens - Aberglasney - recently saved from ruin

Aberglasney, known as "a garden lost in time"

It's raining again and I'm in Wales - well known for its verdant landscapes because of the high rainfall levels!  First stop was Aberglasney, near Carmarthen - known as "A Garden Lost in Time" - thanks to its inclusion in the popular TV series of the same name. Its origins are "shrouded in obscurity" according to the brochure, although there are records dating back to the 15th century on both house and grounds. But just wait until you see the gardens today and history pales into insignificance!

The large upper walled garden at Aberglasney, designed by Penelope Hobhouse

What matters today is that Aberglasney was saved from complete ruin in the 1990's by a group of historic house enthusiasts and an American benefactor, and they have worked tirelessly to turn the property into what it is now. The result is an absolute "must see" property with a series of unique and stunning gardens set against the backdrop of an uninhabited, but attractive house.

The cloister garden at Aberglasney, opened in 2001 after years of careful restoration

There's a cloister garden, upper and lower walled gardens, alpinum, sunken garden... and, perhaps most impressive of all... the Ninfarium - named after the original Ninfa garden near Rome. Here at Aberglasney the Ninfarium is part of the house - an enclosed garden. The large upper walled garden was designed by well-known historian and garden designer, Penelope Hobhouse. This leads into the lower garden which is used for growing vegetables, herbs and flowers for cutting. It's the cloister garden that seems to draw most gasps from visitors - this was opened in 2001 after a long restoration process and is based on a design found in a painting. Part of its beauty is its symmetry and simplicity, but equally important is its setting below the main house. Enjoy it from above, by walking along the walls.

Aberglasney is set in the heart of glorious Welsh countryside

The most recent addition to the landscape at Aberglasney is the sunken garden, with its central water sculpture by William Pye. I was amused to see the reference to Monty Python in the brochure: "And now for something completely different - a garden that is more appealing to the senses, rather than the intellect".

The sunken water garden at Aberglasney, with sculpture by William Pye

This is a wonderful garden and a great tribute to those who have restored it - there has been plenty about Aberglasney in the press over the years, with comments about where it's going - but the result is impressive. If you're in Wales, don't miss it and make sure you buy a copy of the marvellous book - "The Flowering of Aberglasney" - written by plantsman Graham Rankin - it features some of the best botanical photographs I've seen and is a worthwhile memory of a spectacular garden.

The sun came out just as I was leaving and I shall always remember the glimpse of the lower walled garden (above) from the restaurant - there is nothing so stunning as a garden glinting in the sunshine after a heavy shower!