Gwydir Castle Gardens

The historic gardens at Gwydir Castle are amongst the very few in Wales accorded Grade 1 listed status.  They represent an important example of the formal Renaissance garden of the Tudor and Stuart periods, with later overlays and plantings from the nineteenth century.  As well as two fine 16th century garden arches and associated walls and terraces, there are many fine early trees, including fourteen pre-1700 yews and three surviving Cedars of Lebanon from the original twelve said to have been planted in honour of King Charles I’s wedding to the French Princess, Henrietta Maria in 1625.

The Old Dutch Garden is famous for its yew avenue of 22 huge yew trees, while the Knot Garden, in the Courtyard, was laid out in 1828 by Sir Charles Barry, the famous architect, in the form of a Tudor Rose.

The fine wisteria, which adorns the Hall Range was planted in 1828, the same year that peacocks are claimed to have been introduced to the gardens.  Gwydir’s sweeping views and formal vistas make it one of the most romantic gardens in Wales.