The most beautiful parks and gardens Wales

Cilgerran is one of the country's many wildlife preservation centres. Discover a fabulous diversity of wildlife in the Teifi Marshes nature reserve, or in the building with a 360 degree panoramic view, to see a fauna (birds, dragonflies...) and an abundance of flora. Four theme trails are proposed. It is a paradise for birdwatchers, with a beautiful variety of birds being visible. The plus: possibility to rent a cottage to spend the night in the middle of this peaceful place!

Padarn Country Park covers an area of over 300 hectares and includes a rare and ancient sessile oak forest (Coed Dinorwig). This wooded mountain overlooking the beautiful lake of Llyn Padarn is probably one of the most beautiful (and accessible) landscapes in Snowdonia. It's like a utopia, so amazingly beautiful. Here, you take your time and enjoy it. You can plan a picnic if the weather allows it, the place is really suitable for a few moments of relaxation.

The Victorian society was crazy about exotic plants, bringing them from Australia and New Zealand. Here is a good example of an exotic garden, one of the three classified as part of the country's heritage. A few aesthetic surprises await you: artificial waterfalls, lakes, mill... So many "follies" imagined by Lord Newborough to entertain his friends at social functions. There is even a small amphitheatre in the heart of nature! If, in the middle of the park, you want to take a break to enjoy it, head to the Black Cat café.

Bodnant Garden was born in 1874 out of the McLaren family's passion for plants. May, June and July are the best months to stroll through these 32 hectares of garden, when rhododendrons and shrubs are in bloom. It's one of the most beautiful gardens in the country. The corolla shades have been carefully harmonized. Perfectly maintained, it is the English garden par excellence. The most famous part is its 55 m long plant gallery, exclusively composed of cytises. In autumn, the landscape changes tone, the atmosphere becomes unreal and magical.

Lovers of green spaces won't want to miss the National Botanic Garden of Wales, opened in 2000, which tops the list of Britain's most beautiful gardens and is one of Welsh tourism's most popular destinations.

Its themed orchards and 8,000 plants, including rare and even endangered species, as well as those resurrected from gardens of the past, will delight even those without a green thumb!

This garden offers an incredible diversity of plants, rare and exotic species. Discover it in spring and summer. For the full experience, you can enjoy a guided tour, a gardening course or floral displays. You can also visit the historic house which, like the gardens, was restored in the 1990s. The garden has undergone many changes since its creation in the ^13th century, and is still steeped in history. A visit that is both historical and contemplative, a moment of relaxation and discovery.

This 53-hectare park, the green heart of the capital, stretches behind Cardiff Castle. The arboretum, which is freely accessible, is home to some exceptional trees, including the largest and widest of certain categories in the British Isles.

Bute Park Education Centre : a place to learn all about the park. Trails, activities and maps are available.

The Secret Garden Café : close to the Bute Park Education Centre, it has a quiet courtyard, a terrace overlooking the climbing roses, and good food.