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Llanllyr

Large early C19 garden on site of medieval nunnery, renovated and replanted since 1989. Large pool, bog garden, formal water garden, rose and shrub borders, gravel gardens, rose arbour, allegorical labyrinth and mount, all exhibiting fine plantsmanship. Year-round appeal, interesting and unusual plants.

Owner Info

Llanllyr
Llanllyr
Llanllyr
Llanllyr
Llanllyr
Llanllyr
Llanllyr
Llanllyr
Llanllyr
Llanllyr
Llanllyr
Llanllyr
Llanllyr
Llanllyr

About Llanllyr

Llanllyr is on an ancient site where a Cistercian nunnery was established in the 12th century. The present house was built about 1826 and the garden was laid out at the same time. In 1986 the old shrubbery was cleared and replanting began. In 1989 new shrub borders to the north and east of the house were planted, a large fishpond, bog garden and an Italianate water garden created along the line of an old medieval culvert, a small formal box garden set out near the house and an extensive shrub Rose Garden planted to a design by Hazel le Rougetel.

Over the years trees and shrubs have been planted in the Old Orchard beyond the fishpond. A Rose Arbour has been established there together with avenues of crab apples and flowering cherries, an allegorical Labyrinth created, and gravel gardens planted. A path around the perimeter begins with a mount near the eastern boundary and follows a morning walk of winding paths past trees, shrubs and meadow flowers, ending with a pale, more formal western Evening Avenue.

The four-acre garden contains various original wood carvings, fountains and other features. There are many unusual trees, shrubs and interesting plants with an emphasis on low maintenance. Aquilegias, primulas, hardy geraniums, hellebores, cyclamen and other plants are allowed to seed and spread. This is a romantic rather than a tidy garden which the owners look after themselves with minimal help and manage as far as possible organically.

There are two items of archaeological interest. The first is the high freestanding cob walls of the Victorian kitchen garden. The second is an inscribed Celtic Christian Stone, at the entrance to the Rose Garden, which records the gift of a plot of land to an Irish disciple of St David circa 600 AD. Llanllyr is included in CADW Register of Landscapes, Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales with a Grade II listing, and is in The Good Gardens Guide. In 2004 it was judged the best large garden in Wales in the Clwb Garddio Competition organized by S4C television. Large plant sale by Ceredigion Growers on the Open Day.

Location details

Llanllyr,
Lampeter,
Ceredigion,
SA48 8QB

Directions to Llanllyr
On B4337 to Llanrhystud. From Lampeter, entrance to garden on L, just before village of Talsarn.

Llanllyr openings

This garden has now completed its National Garden Scheme openings for this year.

Accessibility

  • Garden mostly flat for wheelchair users.
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FAQs

Payment is by cash only. Please get in touch with the owners for more details.

Yes, coaches are accepted at Llanllyr. Please get in touch with the owners for details.

Sorry, no dogs are allowed in the garden at this time.

Yes, there are various plants offerred for sale at Llanllyr, please enquire with the owners for more details.

Yes, one or more routes at Llanllyr are accessible to wheelchair users.

Llanllyr is not explicitly a wildlife garden, but you may still find various indigenous flora and fauna.