Bodnant Garden
Bodnant Garden
5
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Nestled in the foothills of Snowdonia in North Wales, Bodnant Garden National Trust is a garden for all seasons. Located on a Conwy Valley hillside the 80 acre garden descends dramatically from neat lawns and grand, flower-filled terraces, through informal shrub borders, meadows and woods, to a valley of water gardens and giant trees. In the spring enjoy displays of daffodils, camellias, magnolias and rhododendrons; rose gardens, lily ponds, billowing flower beds and wildflower meadows in summer; a treescape of rich leaf colour in autumn; and acres of bright, frosty landscapes in winter.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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  • PjDuck
    Manchester, United Kingdom510 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Glorious day out !
    While on holiday in the area we used our NT passes to enjoy a visit here . The weather was lovely for the time of year which really helped us to enjoy our walk around the gardens . A beautiful place to visit and we loved it .
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 16 October 2023
  • Megan
    United Kingdom20 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful Gardens, highly recommend.
    I would recommend Bodnant Gardens. With a couple of cafes with friendly staff and shops to browse on site. But if you are short of time be warned, stick to the garden area around the House because if you venture further afield it can be difficult to find your way back to the exit. And the map is good but not excellent and can add to the confusion. You will know what i mean should you try the whole visitors experience of Badnant. On our last (third) visit we decided to stay within sight of the house and my goodness what beautiful gardens there are to explore. And as it was quite early in the day there was a morning mist over the mountains, absolutely beautiful.
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 19 October 2023
  • Culturevulture23
    52 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Stunning trees and views over Snowdonia.
    Just walked in. No prebooking needed just pay at the door. Free parking and several places to eat. One of the best gardens in the UK. Be aware that the garden is on a steep slope. There is wheelchair access to part of it. Very mature gardens first planted in 1875.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 24 October 2023
  • Gerald890
    Bury, United Kingdom2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Stunning Garden -Excellent help from staff member
    We visited in September. I would like to thank the young man on the entrance desk called Luca for his detailed information as my wife is in a wheelchair. His suggestions of a route to take that is wheelchair friendly helped us considerably to enjoy our time in the garden. The garden is simply stunning. We sat and enjoyed the peacefulness of the large meadow before heading back towards the grounds near the house, then onto the terrace with the last of the roses in bloom. The view towards Snowdon was spectacular. A wonderful day that my wife and I enjoyed immensely. So nice to see such a beautiful garden and to receive a warm and informative welcome on arrival. 5 stars all round.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 8 November 2023
  • Presto2
    Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom483 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    5 isn't enough
    Have just had the most perfect day here. It wasn't our first visit, but today was wonderful. The Autumm colours were breathtaking, and it was lovely to just sit by a log fire, watching the birds on the feeder having a warm drink and a snack in idyllic surroundings. We have been many times, though this time we used paths we have never tried before. Can't get enough of this truelly special place.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 18 November 2023
  • AB
    59 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very good
    Very beautiful. I didn't give it 5 stars because 1. I give a lot to charity and don't like to be put on the spot to donate. 2. Its almost too perfect, I like to see some wild branches growing somewhere. 3, A cat kept following me which is fine but dangerous to leave a cat near a cliff. 4. Near the end I just wanted to leave but found it hard to get out.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 5 December 2023
  • Alice P
    54 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great winter walk amongst scented flowering shrubs borders and magnificent trees and views. Good paths and cafe.
    Worth a visit even in December. Good paths and some flowering scented shrubs and hellebores. Magnificent views. Cosy log cabin cafe and shop were both open. Recommended in winter.
    Visited December 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 1 January 2024
  • Jomanda2009
    Birmingham, United Kingdom57 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Secret Garden no more !
    This has to be the most beautiful - and surprising - Garden I've ever visited. It's also now my favourite. Most Botanical Gardens tend to be on one level, but this has real depth, with a stunning walk down the valley to the Old Mill. There are a variety of water features and buildings to discover, as well as majestic trees. We also encountered lots of birds, and 2 friendly cats. Unsurprisingly, Bodnant was filmed for parts of the recent "Secret Garden" remake - it really is a magical place. Visit in May to see the Laburnum Arch in full bloom !
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 28 January 2024
  • Jackie A
    9 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Will be back next year
    Beautiful gardens. Cafe was pleasant and reasonably priced. I took my Labrador and mum and I had a lovely day. We went on one of the dog friendly days. I think it's a good balance that dogs are allowed for some of the week and not for other days. My only real concern was parking. Being disabled myself, I found parking a little difficult as few disabled spaces but just as we were considering what to do somebody came out of their space so we were ok. The ground were absolutely beautiful. Staff were very friendly and happy to chat about their work and the gardens.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 24 February 2024
  • Bryan P
    Rugby, United Kingdom1,024 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Winter stroll around the gardens
    While visiting the Llandudno area we decided to take a trip to Bodnant gardens, there is plenty of parking on site however it is on a bit of a slope. Decent walking shoes or boots are highly recommended for this attraction as there is a lot of walking up & downhill & over muddy grass at times. There is a tunnel under the road that is found just behind the cafe in the car park. As we are both national trust members entry is free but you still need to check in where we were given a map of the site with various route options on to attempt to follow. We were then met by two ladies who also advised us on some must see items like a magnolia tree in full bloom at the moment. We then set off on an explore, it seems that some of the paths are currently blocked off with rope which limited your options at times. However just follow your nose & go where you want to then find your way back when you are getting tired. They could do with better signage & boards showing where you are on at various points & also where is blocked off as we climbed up a lot of steps near the house to find there was no official way out then so we had the option of going back down or going over the rope. There weren’t many guides around but then again it was February so I guess most people didn’t want to be out in the cold & wet weather. This is a place that you have to visit numerous times a year to see the various plants flower but is well worth the visit. We did have a drink in the cafe when leaving which was good.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 28 February 2024
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5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles2,605 reviews
Excellent
2,122
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392
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Poor
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24

Steven T
Harrogate, UK177 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2021 • Couples
Visited on 27th September.
Hardens were lovely with lots to see.
I would recommend bringing a picnic as the ordering of food or drinks at the Pavillion cafe is ridiculous, queuing for 25mins to order, only one person taking orders for drinks, and one for hot food best of luck if you need a cold sandwich???
Written 27 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tom S
Oswestry, UK16 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2021
We last visited Bodnant in 2013 and the gardens have greatly expanded since then, with new woodland walks and spacious open meadows. We visited in early June, so were well timed to witness the stunning display of the laburnum arch, which had a small queue, apparently because it has just featured in a film.

The rest of the gardens are amazing, with a large formal area close to the house, leading down past terracing to the woodland river valley. The wooded areas are planted through with rhododendrons of all colours, which make for a truly magical vista. The weather was perfect for walking for hours through this amazing location, but be prepared for some steep uphill sections to get the full value of the property.

All of the paths are well made, however, and there are good signs to warn anyone with a wheelchair or who may be slightly infirm.

The cafes were very busy, with limited seating due to the current times, but the staff were processing people efficiently, so it did not take too long to get cups of tea and cakes.

All of the employees and volunteers at this National Trust property were so friendly and seemed genuinely pleased to talk about various aspects of the garden.

On the right day for weather, this is one of the finest places to visit in North Wales at the beginning of Summer.
Written 9 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Eljê
Wales, UK83 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2021 • Family
Stunningly beautiful and we thoroughly enjoyed spending our day here. This was our first visit and I initially wanted to go during May to see the Laburnum Arch but I missed the chance to do and to go during Autumn/Winter was the second option.

Very helpful and polite staff. We paid £14 each and my 3-year old daughter went in for free. Totally worth the price considering the size of the gardens and that they were well-maintained. We saw many little groups of staff working and keeping the gardens in check and all were very friendly, especially to my daughter.

Many flowers still to be seen however our favourite were the Japanese Maple trees. We were in awe of their colourful beauty.

Toilet facilities were immaculate and we loved the cafe. We highly recommend the Pumpkin Spice Latte and Tiramisu Latte - they could easily give Starbucks a run!

All in all, very enjoyable and peaceful. Will definitely return next year!
Written 5 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

wowfactor
Marnhull, UK410 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2021 • Couples
These are wonderful gardens, quite unique with something for every season. When we visited this time there were lots of azaleas and rhododendrons even though they had sadly been battered by the recent rain and winds. The views are great and it is so peaceful to walk by the river and sit and enjoy the surroundings and the lovely planting. What spoiled the visit for us was the complete lack of organisation. I appreciate that we are in COVID times but places have had some time to prepare.

There was little, if hardly any, signage throughout the garden, apart from a map at the start and at the Far End. This made it very difficult to find your way around the garden and given that it is very steep in places, it is very frustrating to have to go back and forth to find your way round, particularly for those who are less mobile. I don’t understand why a paper map couldn’t be handed out on arrival as has happened in other gardens I have visited recently.

The cafe facilities also leave a lot to be desired. On the day we visited the only refreshments available were those outside the entrance which meant that there was nothing available throughout the whole garden and you had to go out if you wanted anything. The cafe itself was badly organised, just one service point which was very slow and meant long queues. And you weren’t able to see what was available until you were at the front on the queue as it was only displayed at the service point. As I have said, I recognise that COVID places additional requirements on organisations but there must surely be a better way to organise this. On a plus point, dogs are allowed in 2021. Hopefully this will continue in future years.
Written 7 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Chrisgale
Sheffield, UK1,197 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020 • Friends
This is a garden for all seasons. Daffodils needed some sun but lots out although the rain had spoilt some of the early magnolias. Plenty of parking, cafe, shop and dog friendly. Good walking paths and stunning views. Nice lunch in the cafe although we sat in the part decorated with plastic flowers and plants which looked nice but felt quite dark and claustrophobic. Someone might want to rethink the hanging bits over the doorways which caught on people's heads, not very hygienic.
Written 7 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jennifer259
Llanelli, UK470 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021
What a Beautiful Place to Wander and Relax

We had an extremely pleasant visit.

The pre-booking system worked well and was designed to ensure that visitor numbers were kept within comfortable and safe limits.

The was lots of room to wander around the beautifully maintained garden.

A very knowledgable Guide answered our questions and was most friendly.

All plants were well labelled. There was no guessing the names of specimens.

A beautiful leisurely walk along the shaded river valley was a highlight of my visit. on such a hot day with lots of interest.

I would certainly recommend a visit to keen gardeners as well as members of the general public
Written 19 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tangoj63
Leighton Buzzard, UK999 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2020
An extensive garden. The house isn’t National Trust and isn’t open to visit. This is probably the best known garden in Wales and wouldn’t disappoint at any time of the year but it’s particularly famous for its Laburnum Arch which flowers towards the end of May. National Trust members are admitted free of charge but you do have to go online to book a timed slot.
Written 10 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

We_love_levi
Barry, UK10 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
This place is magical... we visited as a family, 2 adults, 10 year old, 8 year old and an 18 month old and we all loved it.

The planting is fabulous, and the different areas of the garden move from one to the other effortlessly. We have visited lots of National Trust properies and this is our new favourite ( just a shame it is 4.5 hours from home!)
Written 28 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

David S
London, UK192 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2021
These magnificent gardens on the edge of Snowdonia surround Bodnant Hall, a National Trust property that presumably is unremarkable since it is closed to the public. Whilst there are several formal areas close to the house, much of the estate is less manicured and drops down quite a steep slope to a charming stream. The formal beds were still mostly ablaze with colour and there were some wonderfully scented roses. Immediately adjacent to the house you can catch wonderful glimpses of distant hills.

Although the garden itself can cope with the volume of visitors we encountered on a fine September day, the restaurant next to the car-park was struggling to meet demand and we queued longer for some lunch than anywhere else we visited on our UK staycation (including RHS Wisley which is an absolute model of how to run a large garden attraction). The gardeners we encountered all seemed to be working rather languidly and quite a number of the paths were closed off for no obviously good reason.
Written 27 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for visiting David and for your feedback. We're glad you enjoyed the gardens but sorry to hear you were a bit disappointed with the facilities. Just to give some context, like the hospitaility sector in general we've struggled to recruit catering staff since the pandemic and, combined with the extra, stringent health and safety measures required under Welsh Government Covid guidance, that has added to wait times in our tearooms and take away kiosk. The whole team are working hard to get us back to normal service; gardeners too have been working their socks off to make up for all that lost maintenance during lockdown! We're getting there. Hope you come back and see a difference next time.
Written 18 November 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

dclbrown61
Manchester, UK388 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2021
Arrived at the carpark to find it was situated on a steep hill, with a walk down hill to the gardens, you access the gardens through a tunnel under the road, good idea avoids crossing the road. Impressive gardens and the Laburnum arch is very impressive, well worth the visit. the gardens are well laid out and extensive, there are ramps everywhere to assist wheelchairs but be aware some could be difficult due to the place being hilly, nice garden center and cafe near the car park. we went on the 3rd June at our allocated time of 4.30pm and it was a hot sunny day which always makes the day a better one.
Written 7 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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