- 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 Gardens of Wales
National Gardens of Wales
Below are some recent photos I took in the National Botanic Gardens of Wales. Recently it has been announced that a very exciting £1.3 million project that promises to boost the well-being of Welsh people, plants and pollinators has been given the green light. Read more on their website!


Not far from Old Oak Barn the very popular Welsh attraction is celebrating another successful summer with a wonderful Antiques Fair. The next one is organised for 5th – 6th October and gates open at 10.00a.m.
Our visitors love going to the Gardens either for a special event or for a full day of wandering the imaginative space full of colour both in the walled gardens, the open parkland, the Great Glasshouse or the area around Principality House. Children are well catered for with lots of variety for even the smallest toddlers. I was lucky enough this summer to see the Green Woodpeckers which have successfully bred, not far from the handsome bull beyond the Glasshouse!

Gardens of Wales near Old Oak Barn
We are very fortunate to be less than 20 minutes away from the fantastic Gardens of Wales – Carmarthenshire’s main attraction and somewhere we love to go.
When staying at Old Oak Barn you too can pop along to see the imaginative displays of plants, flowers, trees and vegetables. The huge glasshouse is packed full of interesting and rare plants from across the globe. Visit our Local Attractions page for more details.
This Spring there is even more going on including lots of day courses on for example sustainable vegetable gardening or basket weaving. Welly Wednesdays are popular for small children – its best to book in advance.

Gardens of Wales
Opening times and entry costs are as below
1 April – 31 October | 10:00am – 6:00pm |
1 November – 31 March | 10:00am – 4:30pm |
Families (2 Adults & up to 4 children) Gift Aid Price: £30.00 (Standard Price: £27.27) | £30.00 | |
Children (5-16) Gift Aid Price: £5.00 (Standard Price: £4.55) | £5.00 | |
Concessions: Seniors/ Disabled/ Students Gift Aid Price: £9.00 (Standard Price: £8.18) | £9.00 | |
Adult Gift Aid Price: £11.00 (Standard Price: £10) | £11.00 | |
Single Parent Family (1 Adult & up to 4 children) Gift Aid Price: £20.00 (Standard Price: £18.18) | £20.00 |
National Botanic Garden Carmarthenshire Discount Vouchers
National Botanic Garden Carmarthenshire Discount Vouchers
We’ve got National Botanic Garden discount vouchers for all Old Oak Barn visitors.
Less than half an hour from Old Oak Barn you will find the National Botanic Gardens of Wales, one of Carmarthenshire county’s premier attractions and highly recommended for a very interesting day out. If you would like to visit we can give you this voucher which will get two adults in for only £11.
There are lots of wonderful events planned for 2018! If you would like us to post the Garden’s new events brochure for this Spring 2018 please ask and we will happily send one on.
One treat for little ones will be the planned Disney film “Jungle Book” at the open air cinema on Saturday 30 June! That date is already in my diary!
Click on this Map to see the exact location of the gardens.
Carmarthen Food Fair
Carmarthen Food Fair
The Food Fair is being held at The National Botanical Gardens of Wales today and tomorrow! With tasty treats and plenty to cheer up the long, cold month of January.
The event takes place in the stunning surrounds of Lord Foster’s Great Glasshouse on January 20-21 and offers a mouth-watering array of delicious local produce – and entry to the Garden is just £4 per person.
Event organiser David Hardy said: “This is your chance to try and buy anything and everything from raw chocolate to rare breed meat, chilli sauce and cheese; special gin, Spanish tapas, muffins, marshmallows, fruit vinegars and faggots. And there will be plenty of fresh, warm Welsh cakes, too. What’s not to like?!”
While at The Gardens which are less than half an hour from Old Oak Barn you can also of course visit the lovely (and tropical!) Butterfly House which is a must-see, boasting as it does hundreds of exotic, rainforest butterflies from all over the world.
Gates open at 10am and close again at 4.30pm (last entry 3.30pm). There’s no additional charge for the Food Fair and there is plenty of free parking for everyone.
Don’t forget: admission to the Garden is FREE on weekdays in January – perfect for a winter stroll in the wonderful Carmarthenshire countryside.
For more information about this and other Garden events visit our website, email info@gardenofwales.org.uk or call 01558 667149.
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.
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.