In August, I paid my annual visit to Dyffryn Gardens, the National Trust-run manor house (below) and gardens just south of Cardiff.
I’d been meaning to go all summer, but with one thing and another, I hadn’t got around to it.
But I was determined to go before the summer was up to see the last of the flowers.
I made my way through the gardens following my usual route, strolling past the manor house, then up to the stone terraces (above) and onto the walled garden.
Before going inside the greenhouse that dominates the back wall, I had a quick look around the kitchen garden next door.
There wasn’t much to see, but there were a few apples and pears, as well as some gourds (above).
The greenhouse is filled with a plethora of unusual cactii, succulents and carnivorous plants, and a lot of the cactii were in flower, which I hadn’t seen before (above).
I was also intrigued to find lots of grapes – both red and white – growing in a roped-off part of the greenhouse (above).
It’s the first time I’ve seen grapes in the gardens, so it was a nice surprise.
From the greenhouse, I ambled around the different gardens, starting with the Italianate Garden (above).
I then moved onto the colourful Paved Court and tranquil Reflecting Pool (above).
One of my favourite things about my visit to Dyffryn Gardens was seeing so many bees and butterflies.
I haven’t seen as many insects as usual this summer, but the gardens were filled with them, particularly bees, which was heartening to see.
I spent ages trying to photograph them as they went about their business, buzzing in and around the flowers.
I also spent some time photographing the various statues (above).
I meandered down to the lower, wilder parts of the garden, which offered great views of the manor house in the distance (below).
I spent a lovely morning at Dyffryn Gardens and I was delighted to see so many flowers still in bloom.
My time there was as enjoyable ever and it’s still one of my favourite places to while away a few hours.
Info
Dyffryn Gardens, St Nicholas, Vale of Glamorgan CF5 6FZ
￡12 adults, ￡6 children
