A Quarry within a Garden

I felt very privileged to visit this beautiful and unusual garden, which offers the most breathtaking view across the Welsh hills. The garden is made up of many hidden areas that gradually reveal themselves one by one as you explore. Although the entire garden sits on a gentle slope, from the top terrace near the house there is little hint of the series of secret gardens that lie below.

Near the house are a series of herbaceous borders where a conscious effort has been made to grow plants that truly thrive. Rather than completely redesigning the borders, the approach has been to divide, split and expand what is already growing well, allowing the planting to evolve gradually and naturally over time.

Many of the garden’s features are sunken, and at the top of the garden there is an unusual circular fire pit set into the ground in stone, with a rust-coloured centre. This contrasts beautifully with the surrounding dark green yew hedges, as well as the warmer rusty tones of the grasses and the bright sedum nearby.

Between the different garden rooms are wider expanses of grass and even a woodland in the distance. These spaces are often punctuated by sculptures, such as these unusual metal spheres. Many of the pieces also have a connection to the family who created and care for the garden, beautifully tying the space to the people behind it.

Beyond the fire pit and herbaceous borders is a small pond with a duck house at its centre, which immediately draws the eye. Looking beyond the pond, in the far distance, a mown grass pathway runs through the woodland towards a small building. It is a very clever design feature, drawing the eye onward and inviting you to explore further into the landscape.

Beyond the pond is an unusual wooden bridge which curves upwards over the driveway approaching the house and leads off into the woods beyond. It is a beautiful feature that cleverly links two very different parts of the garden together.

Towards the bottom of the garden is a purpose built kitchen garden, perfectly positioned in full sun next to the gardener’s cottage. It is very thoughtfully laid out, with a mini orchard on the slopes above, a large greenhouse, and a series of raised beds, all designed for ease of management and maintenance while creating a productive and attractive space.

This is a fabulous area, and at the time of my visit, pumpkins were growing, ready for a Halloween display, alongside fruit, vegetables, and cut flowers for the house. The greenhouse was very well arranged, filled with tomato vines and other tender plants. It is a beautiful space to work in, and a real treat to be able to stroll through the rest of the garden while accessing this more productive area.

Close to the kitchen garden is one of my favourite parts of the garden: the sunken water garden. This peaceful, tucked-away space offers a beautiful spot to sit and enjoy the exquisite water features below, with another stunning sculpture at its centre.

I have never particularly liked sculptures in gardens, but this garden completely changed my mind. When tastefully placed, a sculpture can add a whole new dimension to a garden space, enhancing its character and sense of discovery as you can see from the beautiful centre piece of the water feature below.

The final part of the garden is the most spectacular and is astonishingly hidden away. It is approached via a wide pathway that gently slopes upward, and as you walk along it, the ground begins to open up with tall banks on either side—this is the entrance to the very unusual quarry garden.

The quarry garden features dramatic, rocky, and steep terrain, with hundreds of uneven stone steps. It is known for its lush plantings of rhododendrons and azaleas, creating a magical and intimate landscape. Fern-filled glades and hidden corners make the space feel secluded, offering a unique and engaging experience as you move through it.

For many years, this part of the garden had fallen into neglect, with fallen leaves piling up and concealing much of its original layout. Gradually, the area has been cleared, and certain features have been carefully restored with the help of historical photographs. The space now includes multiple ponds, flowing streams, and a waterfall, surrounded by a wide variety of mature rhododendrons, azaleas, and a tulip tree. Efforts continue to identify some of the older rhododendron specimens.

Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough time to explore the entire garden, which spans over nine acres. I

hope to return someday to enjoy the woodland walk and wander around the large lake at the back of the property. It was truly a wonderful day spent in a spectacular and very unusual garden.

Garden Writer | Guineveres Garden