From the Mountains to the Sea
Discover the Hidden Gardens of North Wales staying at the wonderful Bodysgallen Hall with Alan Mason & performances by London Festival Opera
- 16 May 2021
Stay with us in the quaint seaside town of Llandudno from where we will explore some of the most beautiful gardens in Wales, land of ‘Song and Poetry’. The landscape of North Wales offers a treasure trove of marvellous gardens all set within breathtakingly beautiful mountain and coastal scenery. One of the joys of exploring this region is the close proximity of the very best gardens and from our base at the wonderful Bodysgallen Hall, which we have exclusively taken over for the duration of our stay, we will be able to explore with ease. Short but amazingly scenic journeys will connect us to a string of some of the finest gardens in the Principality. For us, one of the most important rules in planning a botanical tour is that it should not be rushed. So, apart from guided visits to some very special gardens, there will also be free time to explore individually, take in the vistas, and to sit and wonder at what nature and man have created in the most memorable of settings.
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Bodysgallen Hall
For our five night stay we are delighted to have Bodysgallen Hall for our exclusive use. In 2008 the property was given to the National Trust and is managed by Historic House Hotels who have skilfully and sympathetically restored the house to its former glory. Nestled in the hills behind Llandudno, the 200- acre estate enjoys panoramic views of the coast and Conwy Castle. The splendid gardens have also been recognised for their award-winning restoration and offer guests a serene and lovely spot to begin or end the day.
The 17th century Grade 1 listed Hall is a delight with finely furnished sitting rooms, a 3AA Rosettes Dining Room and fifteen rooms and suites. Throughout the Hall you will find splendid fireplaces, oak panelling, stone mullioned windows, antiques and fine art. Set amongst the peaceful grounds, the spa is housed in the original Welsh stone farm and offers a relaxing retreat with fitness, health and beauty facilities available.
You have the choice of staying in the Hall or in the surrounding cottages which vary in size from one, two or three bedrooms. All are beautifully furnished, and some have private garden areas.
Itinerary
Day 1 Llandudno, North Wales.
Transportation will meet us at Llandudno Junction Railway Station for a short transfer to nearby Bodysgallen Hall, our home for the next five nights. Enjoy welcome drinks and dinner at the hotel this evening.
Day 2 Plas Newydd & Plas Cadnant.
Drive along the coast to the Menai Strait and cross on to Anglesey to Plas Newydd, an enchanting mansion and gardens with spectacular views of Snowdonia. Set on the shores of the Menai Strait amidst breathtakingly beautiful scenery, James Wyatt redesigned this elegant house in the 18th century. The 1930s restyled interior is famous for its Rex Whistler association and contains his exquisite romantic mural and the largest exhibition of his works. A military museum contains relics from the First Marquess of Anglesey’s tenure, who commanded the cavalry at the Battle of Waterloo. Visit the house and walk through the fine spring garden and Australasian arboretum, with an understory of shrubs and wildflowers and an Italianate-style summer terrace. A woodland walk gives access to a delightful spring and early summer rhododendron garden. From the house and grounds, the views across the Menai Strait to the mountains of Snowdonia are simply stunning. A short drive takes us to Plas Cadnant. After a light lunch we discover a hidden historic garden, which is slowly being uncovered – a Welsh ‘Lost Gardens of Heligan’. Three different gardens have been discovered including an unusual walled garden with curving walls and a pool, a secret valley garden with three waterfalls and a river, and an upper woodland garden with stone outcrops and the remains of a 19th century folly. Work started on restoring the gardens and grounds in 1997, which was a huge undertaking as large areas had not been maintained for more than 70 years. Since then large parts of the gardens have undergone a spectacular transformation and have been restored to their former glory.
Day 3 Plas Brondanw & Penrhyn Castle and Garden.
This morning we visit Plas Brondanw, at Croesor, Gwynedd. Sir Clough Williams- Ellis, who inherited the house from his father, created this Italianate garden. The courtyard is enclosed by clipped yew hedging punctuated by towering columns of Italian cypress. A low panel of elegant ironwork marks a narrow gap in these green walls and the view beyond takes your breath away. The ground falls steeply to the wide plain, rising again in the form of Moel Hebog, a mountain the bulk of which is accentuated by a single tall foreground pine. In the shade by the house grow billowing white flowered Japanese anemones, purple aconites, astilbes, hostas and ferns. On the sunny side of the path are crocosmia, buddleja and cistus. This afternoon we visit Penrhyn Castle and Garden. We enjoy lunch then tour the large Neo-Norman Castle from the 19th century. It has a fascinating interior and an array of artefacts which include a bed that was made for Queen Victoria and which weighs more than a ton as it was made out of Pennant slate. The collection of paintings within is an exceptional one while the mock Norman furniture is also of interest. Within the stable block there are two separate museums: one dedicated to industrial railways and another featuring model railways. The castle gardens measure an impressive 60 acres with the star attraction being the charming Victorian walled garden. After our tour London Festival Opera will perform for us in this beautiful setting.
Day 4 Plas Tan y Bwlch & Portmeirion.
After breakfast we drive into the Snowdonia National Park where we will discover the beautiful gardens of Plas Tan y Bwlch, a spectacular Victorian garden nestled in dramatic mountain scenery. Covering 13 acres, this garden for all seasons hosts a variety of rhododendrons and azaleas in spring, including a 120-year-old rhododendron tunnel. Overlooking the garden is a dramatic Victorian-Gothic mansion that was once home to wealthy slate quarry owners, the Oakeley family. Later, drive to Portmeirion for lunch where we have the afternoon to explore this famous Italianate village. Sir Clough Williams-Ellis acquired the site for Portmeirion in 1925 and over the course of 50 years the village was developed in a wonderfully eccentric style, while at all times staying in harmony with the natural surroundings. Much work has been carried out in recent years to improve the gardens, enhancing the beauty of the architecture. We will take a walk in ‘The Gwyllt’, a woodland display where the major concentrations of rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias were planted, with a wide variety of choice trees. After the tour we will meet for drinks at the Hercules Hall where London Festival Opera will perform.
Day 5 Bodnant Garden.
Enjoy a leisurely morning at Bodysgallen Hall. The Head Gardener will show us around the beautiful gardens which include a rare 17th century parterre of box hedges filled with sweetscented herbs, a walled rose garden and several follies. After a light lunch we will drive towards Colwyn Bay where we visit the famous Bodnant Garden, situated above the River Conwy, spanning some 80 acres looking across the valley towards Snowdonia. The garden has two parts – the upper garden around Bodnant Hall, which consists of the terraced gardens and informal lawns, and the lower garden – known as the “Dell”, formed by the River Hiraethlyn and containing the wild garden. Bodnant has a range of beautiful plants from all over the world, particularly China, North America, Europe and Japan, which are suited to the Welsh climate and soil. Our farewell dinner tonight will be provided by famous chef Bryn Williams at his Port Eirias seaside restaurant in Colywn Bay.
Day 6 Llandudno.
After breakfast transportation will be provided to Llandudno Junction Railway Station.
Dates and Prices
Prices per person based on double occupancy16 to 21 May 2021 | ||
---|---|---|
Category | Price | |
Main House Classic | £2595 | |
Hall/Spa Cottage Standard | £2795 | |
Hall/Spa Cottage Superior | £2995 | |
Main House Superior | £3195 | |
Main House Principal Suites | £3395 | |
Byre Cottage | £3395 | |
Main House Classic for sole use | £2995 | |
Main House Superior for sole use | £3495 |
Tour Reference Code: LAMOUNTAIN
PRICE INCLUDES: Five nights accommodation at Bodysgallen Hall on a breakfast and dinner basis including wine • Lunch on days 2, 3, 4 & 5 • Dinner at Porth Eirias on day 5 • Excursions as described including entrance fees • Two London Festival Opera Performances • Tour Leader • Guest Speaker • Group transfers.
Not Included: Travel insurance.
Bodysgallen Hall
For our five night stay we are delighted to have Bodysgallen Hall for our exclusive use. In 2008 the property was given to the National Trust and is managed by Historic House Hotels who have skilfully and sympathetically restored the house to its former glory. Nestled in the hills behind Llandudno, the 200- acre estate enjoys panoramic views of the coast and Conwy Castle. The splendid gardens have also been recognised for their award-winning restoration and offer guests a serene and lovely spot to begin or end the day.
The 17th century Grade 1 listed Hall is a delight with finely furnished sitting rooms, a 3AA Rosettes Dining Room and fifteen rooms and suites. Throughout the Hall you will find splendid fireplaces, oak panelling, stone mullioned windows, antiques and fine art. Set amongst the peaceful grounds, the spa is housed in the original Welsh stone farm and offers a relaxing retreat with fitness, health and beauty facilities available.
You have the choice of staying in the Hall or in the surrounding cottages which vary in size from one, two or three bedrooms. All are beautifully furnished, and some have private garden areas.
Travelling with You
London Festival Opera
We are delighted that London Festival Opera will be joining us for our stay and presenting two concerts in the superb settings – performing a selection of celebrated arias and ensembles from the operas of Handel, Mozart, Rossini, Bizet and Puccini as well as some lighter pieces from the world of operetta and musicals. We have long been associated with London Festival Opera who have achieved a considerable reputation for presenting opera in the UK and overseas and have performed for Presidents, Prime Ministers and senior members of the British and European Royal Families. The company has performed at 10 Downing Street, the British Embassy in Paris, the President’s Palace in Malta and as a guest company in one of Italy’s greatest opera houses, La Fenice in Venice. Bringing together artists from the major British opera companies including the Royal Opera, English National Opera and Glyndebourne, the programmes presented include a wide and varied range of repertoire.
London Festival Opera will be on the following tour dates: 27 April to 4 May 2021
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Chantal Cookson
Chantal was born in Suffolk very near the sea and now lives in Northumberland where her husband farms and when possible, they go to their cottage in Suffolk. Chantal has been associated with Noble Caledonia since the company was founded in 1991 and was part of the Expedition Team for many years on the MS Caledonian Star and has led tours, be it cruising or land, all over the world, including the Antarctic in 1999, aboard the Caledonian Star on her first voyage there and in 2017 was aboard the MS Island Sky on her first voyage to the Antarctic. Chantal’s initial experience of cruising was in British waters in 1991 when Noble Caledonia did the first cruise around the British Isles, which was a ground breaking voyage and led to a very successful and popular concept. Though her main job for over 25 years was working for Sotheby’s, she is now a Travel and Fine Art Consultant intertwining in her busy life still working periodically as part of the Noble Caledonia Expedition Team and also as a Tour Leader on Land Tours. From the Arctic to the Antarctica, South America to Australia, Africa, India, The Seychelles, Indonesian Islands and many other destinations including many times the West Coast of Scotland, she has been able to pursue her love of the oceans, zodiacing and photography. Chantal is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.
Chantal Cookson will be on the following tour dates: 16 to 21 May 2021 -
Alan Mason
Alan Mason NDT. F.Inst.G. Dip.Hort. M.CI. Hort. is one of Europe’s most experienced and best qualified garden designers and consultants. Having achieved the distinction of being the UK’s youngest head gardener at Bramham Park when still in his 20’s, and then Gardens Manager to the Queen's cousin Lord Harewood at Harewood House in Yorkshire - where he and his team elevated the gardens into the top ten most visited gardens in the country - he set up his garden design consultancy in 1987. He has since designed and created gardens for royalty and other leading public figures in the UK and France. Creating the gardens at Le Manoir du Hilguy for Holiday Property Bond, and at his own home, Le Manoir, Port de Roche in Brittany, brought Alan Mason Garden Design International success.
During the 80s and 90s Alan also presented the long running ‘Gardens without Borders television programme, which featured gardens in France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Holland.
His French links continue, particularly in Brittany and Normandy, which have a similar climate and challenges to the UK. Alan is currently developing a beautiful riverside garden near Nantes, selected by the Ecole National Superiore d'Architecture de Versailles as representing the best of quintessential English garden design in the 21st century.
Alan Mason is a founder member of The Professional Gardener's Guild and the founder of the Senior Garden Advisors consultancy group which brings the services of top former Head Gardeners' from Stately Homes such as Chatsworth, Castle Howard and Harewood House to a wider public. Alan is also a judge of the show gardens at the prestigious Sandringham Flower Show and a garden design lecturer for The Royal Horticultural Society.
Alan Mason will be on the following tour dates: 16 to 21 May 2021
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