Fresh air and some nice scenery were the order of the day yesterday, so decided to go to Bodnant Gardens.
We drive past it all the time, but always seem to have other things planned. my parents took me when I was little – I remember the photos of the Pin Mill and the Laburnum Arch (which, unfortunately, does not flower until May).
We went expecting to have a bit of a walk around and then leave after an hour or so. What we didn’t expect was how vast, interesting and exciting it would be to walk around.
There were hidden statues, buildings, waterfalls, stepping stones and beautiful flowers. The kind of place you could take a book, hide and never be disturbed. My daughter loved it. She ran around the place, excited about what might be around the next corner. If i wasn’t pregnant, I’d have probably followed her. Having to walk slowly though gave me time to take lots of photos – a few of the better ones I have included.
There is a family trail with a little booklet which has questions for children to answer. There are also trails were you look for plants that are featured in Beatrix Potter, Wind in the Willows and Brambley Hedge. My daughter is a bit too young for doing these as she’s only just started reading Brambley Hedge etc, but she had fun enough without doing the trails.
After you have looked around the gardens, there are a few little shops – antiques, jewellery, books – and a small teashop (there’s a bigger tearoom by the car park). There is also a children’s play area and picnic benches.
You could lose yourselves there for hours and I imagine in the summer it will be even better. If you’re ever in the area, I definitely recommend it. We will be going back when more of the flowers are in bloom and the baby has arrived. I can’t wait.
Seaside, hills and the family 