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The Welsh Collection: Pembrokeshire and the South-West of Wales

4 days | £2250 per person | 12 - 15 May 2025

Featuring the gardens of Dyffryn Ffernant, Picton Castle and Aberglasney

The ancient kingdom of Dyfed lies on the far southwestern tip of Wales, a region of mountains, lakes, forests, rivers and miles of fine coastline. Like Cornwall, it benefits from the warm Gulf Stream, but it differs in being far less crowded. The gardens here are a wonderful mis, from fine country gardens surrounding historic houses & castles, many with extensive woodland gardens, to more intimate, personal gardens, some with unique and contemporary twists. Our tour is based at the 5-star Grove of Narberth Hotel, a luxurious multi award winning country house set within 26 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, woodlands and meadow. These include a fully functioning, productive walled garden, sheltered by ancient oaks and towering beeches. All rooms are individually designed with many offering stunning views of the surrounding countryside and Presili Hills.

Day to day Itinerary

Day 1

The tour starts from the Grove of Narbeth Hotel. From here we make the journey to Carmarthen Railway station, our second pick-up point, before arriving at our first visit, Aberglasney Gardens. This is a remarkable restoration project with formal gardens, pools, parapets and cloisters. After a light lunch we will enjoy a special, guided tour with the Head Gardener. We journey to the Grove of Narbeth with time to settle in before we join for dinner at the hotel.

Day 2

Today we set off north towards the Presili uplands, to start the day with a visit to Dyffryn Fernant, created by Christina Shand and her husband David. The garden, set in the ancient landscape beneath the rocky tor of Garn Fawr is a modern, vibrant garden that seamlessly blends diverse and distinct areas—from flamboyant flower displays to serene marshlands. After lunch we travel to view the new, exciting garden laid out by an artist and architect couple, surrounding the fully sustainable home they built for their family around an old farm. Return to the Grove of Narbeth before travelling the short distance to their beach side seafront restaurant, Lan Y Mor for dinner.

Day 3

After breakfast we journey to a garden with far-reaching views towards the Presili Hills where the owners have converted a 5-acre field below the original farm into a large wildflower meadow. Closer to the house are perennial borders, with a small plants sale area. This afternoon there is some free time to explore the UK’s smallest city, St. Davids with its historic cathedral and take time for lunch. We then travel to Picton Castle, a beautifully restored blend of formal gardens, woodland walks, and walled gardens, featuring a rich variety of plant species and stunning seasonal displays set against the backdrop of a historic medieval castle.

Day 4

A relaxed start allows a further exploration of the gardens and ground at the hotel before travelling east, to visit a remarkable garden laid out by Paula Davies at House on Stilts. Here she has created, with her artist’s eye, a wonderful garden brimming with wildlife, aiming for as much biodiversity as possible, from a large pond at the rear to a dry cockle shell garden to the front. After lunch we have been invited to view the new garden laid out by David Wheeler and Simon Dorrell around their Georgian home at Upland Mansion. The tour concludes with a drop-off at Carmarthen Railway station before finishing at Grove of Narberth.

5-star Grove of Narberth Hotel

The Grove of Narberth is a luxurious country house hotel nestled in the serene Pembrokeshire countryside, Wales. Set within 26 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, woodlands, and meadows, this idyllic retreat combines historic charm with modern luxury. The main house, dating back to the 17th century, has been meticulously restored, offering an elegant blend of period features and contemporary comforts. The Grove boasts individually designed guest rooms and suites, each exuding a unique character with bespoke furnishings, fine linens, and luxurious amenities. Many rooms offer stunning views of the surrounding countryside, providing a peaceful escape from the bustle of everyday life. Dining at The Grove is an exquisite experience, with two on-site restaurants, including the Michelin-starred Fernery. Here, guests can savour dishes crafted from the finest local ingredients, celebrating the rich culinary heritage of Pembrokeshire. The Artisan Rooms offer a more relaxed dining atmosphere, serving creative dishes in a warm, inviting setting.

Tour Price: £2250

Single Supp: £425

Deposit: £350

Departure Dates:

12 - 15 May 2025

Duration:

3 nights / 4 days

Your Tour Includes

Three nights’ bed and breakfast at the Grove of Narbeth Hotel
Private coach transfers and excursions
Three evening meals and four lunches
Guided visits to the sites listed in the programme
Services of the tour host and a tour leader
Detailed programme and garden notes
All entrance fees, taxes, and gratuities for coach drivers and serving staff

Tour Lecturers

Helen Yemm

Helen Yemm is probably best-known for her weekly Thorny Problems page that has been a fixture for nearly twenty years in the Saturday’s Daily Telegraph. In ‘real life’ she is a hands-on, self-taught, keen-as-mustard gardener and lecturer with a garden in East Sussex that she occasionally opens for small groups. Helen is a sometimes television presenter (Gardening from Scratch and Gardening Week for BBC Two) and is the author of several gardening books (the latest being Gardening in Pyjamas). She is also a regular feature writer for The English Garden magazine.

However, hosting garden tours is, she says, the icing on the cake – she gets enormous pleasure from discovering gardens in the company of others who share her passion.

Sophie Piebenga

Born in The Netherlands and based in the Cotswolds, our expert Sophie Piebenga has lived most of her life in the UK. Trained with the National Trust and qualified at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, all whilst working as head gardener of a private estate, Sophie quickly developed a particular interest in the conservation of historic gardens. This eventually led to a doctoral study at the University of York, researching the work of the early Victorian landscape gardener, William Sawrey Gilpin. Sophie has since worked freelance, mostly in the field of historic landscape conservation, and, for the last 25 years, has regularly led Boxwood tours around the UK and to Ireland, France, Spain and The Netherlands.