- are the most visited garden in Wales – over 2.5 million visitors so far
- have been recognised as the most influential landscape scheme in Wales over the last 75 years by the Landscape Institute
- have been voted ‘No 1 Garden to Visit in Wales’ by BBC Gardeners’ World
- have been voted the number 1 ‘Wonder of Wales’, ‘Most Romantic Garden’, ‘Best Children’s Garden’ & ‘Best Afternoon Tea’ by the Western Mail
- have been voted ‘Visitors Favourite’ by Carmarthenshire Tourism Association
- have been awarded the 2016 Gold Accolade by Visit Wales
National Botanic Gardens Wales
National Botanic Gardens Wales
These short clips of the National Botanic Gardens Wales near Carmarthenshire say it all! We really love the wonderful gardens which are less than half an hour from Old Oak Barn. Excellent value throughout the year, there is always something going on at weekends too. Admission prices can be found here.
Visitors always speak positively of the attraction and during the holidays there are extra events put on for children which are always popular. The recent upgrading of the playground has especially been appreciated and the Butterfly House too of course is a fantastic addition. Read some recent reviews here.
The big thing at the moment of course are the fabulous displays of snowdrops which are worth a visit this month. Next weekend is infact Snowdrop Weekend and it is expected that they will be at their best. However, here at Old Oak Barn we are now fully booked until 10 February when we do have a short weekend break available. If interested please contact me for more details.
Old Oak Barn Garden in Carmarthenshire
Old Oak Barn Garden in Carmarthenshire
The county of Carmarthenshire is famous for its wonderful public gardens and we are fortunate to have The National Botanic Gardens of Wales on our doorstep. Aberglasney is only half an hour away too and Colby Gardens less than 30 minutes. I have always loved gardening although will be the first to admit that I rarely plan things here at Old Oak Barn. Rather the gardens just evolve. For 40 years now I have been growing flowers and vegetables 30 years of which have been here at Cwmpalis. Although initially it was a 20/80 split with veggies being the main things grown, more recently and in the last 10 years the emphasis has been more on growing flowers. By this I mean growing from seeds I have collected or been given from friends or from cuttings. I grow perennials too and since developing the new bed at the bottom of the front lawn by the farmhouse I can see their value. I tend not to have colour themes but instead go for vibrant colours everywhere. If someone was to ask my favourites I would have to say roses, sweetpeas, cosmos, jasmine and poppies, all of which thrive here at Cwmpalis.
My Garden in Carmarthenshire at Old Oak Barn
I am fortunate to have great backdrops to the garden from many angles. On the left you can see the approach to the farm and holiday cottage which hints at the sheltered valley we live in. in 2015 I bought a wonderful 12 by 9 wooden greenhouse which is proving a big success. One cucumber plant this summer has produced over 150 cucumbers!
We always arrange cut flowers in the barn for visitors who have come to expect this extra touch. It is always possible to find something of beauty to display in the barn! When we have a glut of vegetables we often offload onto visitors free of charge.
National Botanic Gardens Wales
National Botanic Gardens Wales
Situated less than 30 minutes from Old Oak Barn is Carmarthenshire’s pride and joy! We LOVE the gardens and visit often and there is always something new to enjoy. The Gardens of Wales as they are also known will amaze you not only because of the variety of plants to see but also because of the wonderful setting within the natural landscape. Open every day from 10 in the morning. The National Botanic Gardens of Wales are currently working on lots of new restoration projects – please see their website for more details.
Did you know that the National Botanic Gardens Wales :-
This year the needs of the very youngest visitors have been further met with the addition of a straw bale maze, improved play areas plus willow walks and magical woodland play areas. During holiday times there are always extra activities put on for children inside or out. Do take your little ones to the Gardens as they will love it there.
Aberglasney
Aberglasney
What a great day out is to be had at Aberglasney which is less than 40 minutes from Old Oak Barn
I was lucky enough to go during the first week of July when these few photos were taken. 
The walled gardens have matured well these last few years – did you know there are over a mile of walls and recently designs have concentrated on planting more climbers than ever!
The evening sun catches the light in the middle garden and although not a lot of colour in some parts of the gardens we were struck by how pretty the form and structures are.
One of the best things about the gardens are its tranquil setting within the landscape of Carmarthenshire. The story of Aberglasney spans many centuries, but, the house’s origins are still shrouded in obscurity. There are constant changes and alterations going on all the time at what must surely be one of Wales’s finest gardnes and country houses.
Aberglasney wins funding – July 2015
Aberglasney has just been awarded almost £1,000,000 in a lottery grant click here for more details to create a new heritage horticulture training facility at the historic gardens. This exciting project aims to provide inspiration and training for a new generation of gardeners as well as students with learning difficulties and school children and is the latest in a line of restoration projects at Aberglasney. Watch this space!