A group of gardens in West Wales is celebrating five years of working together with the launch of a new passport-style leaflet.
The Great Gardens of West Wales first forged their seven-strong partnership in 2012 and have been working together, trying to raise the profile of the region’s garden and to increase visitor numbers.
Dai Evans, from one of the seven – Picton Castle & Gardens – says the collaboration has yielded real results: “I always believe we are stronger together and this has certainly been the case with the Great Gardens of West Wales group.
“All the attractions taking part have seen an increase in interest and visitors in the time we have been working together. This new initiative, we hope, will see that success continue.”
Dai explained how the passport scheme works: “You need to pick up a Great Gardens of West Wales leaflet and, when you visit any of the participating gardens, they will stamp your leaflet and this will entitle you to a discount on admission to the next garden you go and see.”
He added: “It’s very straightforward and we hope it will be very effective in delivering us extra visitors.”
Ellen Llewellyn, from another of the participating attractions, Aberglasney Gardens, said: “All seven gardens are among the treasures of West Wales. The temperate climate of the area encourages the development of many rare and exotic trees and plants from around the globe providing a show of vibrant colours, enchanting perfumes, and stunning vistas.
“All seven are situated in spectacular locations with wonderful collections of plants and trees. They represent a range of styles ranging from modern to historic, woodland to coastal. They complement each other perfectly in type of garden as well as the ways they change with the seasons.”
Participating gardens are the National Botanic Garden of Wales, Upton Castle Gardens, Cae Hir Gardens, Dyffryn Fernant Garden, Colby Woodland Garden, Aberglasney Gardens and Picton Castle and Gardens.
Editor’s notes:
• The Great Gardens of West Wales was formed to raise the profile of gardens and garden visiting in the West Wales area, and achieve economies of scale, and in turn add more value into the local economy.
• Joint funding from each of the Great Gardens of West Wales has been used to create the combined leaflet.
• For further information please contact Dai Evans on 01437 751326
• Or visit https://www.greatgardensofwestwales.com
• The group also has a joint Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GreatGardensofWestWales/
• Individual contact details for each garden are:
caehirgardens@gmail.com
christina@dyffrynfernant.co.uk
de@pictoncastle.co.uk
marketing@aberglasney.org
prue@uptoncastle.com
steve.whitehead@nationaltrust.org.uk
david.hardy@gardenofwales.org.uk
