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0:00:02 > 0:00:06- Did you know that Wales has hundreds - of registered gardens?
0:00:06 > 0:00:08- Big or small, formal or wild.
0:00:08 > 0:00:13- Every garden delights the visitors - that arrive every year.
0:00:13 > 0:00:18- I'll visit some to show you the - wealth that is on our own doorstep.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21- Yes, it's the golden age - of the garden.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24- Welcome to Gerddi Cymru.
0:00:35 > 0:00:40- Anglesey is one of the largest and - most beautiful of Britain's islands.
0:00:40 > 0:00:45- It's an island full of history - and known as the Mother of Wales...
0:00:45 > 0:00:47- ..as it was believed...
0:00:47 > 0:00:51- ..that her fertile lands - could feed the whole of Wales.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58- To reach Anglesey, - one of two bridges must be crossed.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01- Menai Bridge is the most beautiful.
0:01:01 > 0:01:05- The suspension bridge - was designed by Thomas Telford...
0:01:05 > 0:01:07- ..and completed in 1826.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12- Locally, the bridge - is known as Pont y Borth...
0:01:13 > 0:01:17- ..as it takes you to the town - of Porthaethwy, or Menai Bridge.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27- The busy town hides one - of Wales' most secret gardens...
0:01:27 > 0:01:30- ..in a wooded valley - on its outskirts.
0:01:38 > 0:01:42- This garden is recognized as one - of Anglesey's biggest secrets...
0:01:43 > 0:01:46- ..especially as few people - know about it.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49- Like any good secret, - it's here to be discovered.
0:01:49 > 0:01:54- Once you enter these lovely gates, - you won't regret it.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02- The garden covers over 200 acres.
0:02:02 > 0:02:08- Its centrepiece - is this huge walled garden.
0:02:10 > 0:02:14- Beyond the walls is an interestingly - planted magical forest.
0:02:14 > 0:02:18- It follows the valley to the Cadnant - river on the banks of the Menai.
0:02:23 > 0:02:28- For centuries, this coastline has - been a favourite for the wealthy.
0:02:29 > 0:02:34- One example is Plas Newydd, the - seat of the Marquesses of Anglesey.
0:02:40 > 0:02:44- In its day, Plas Cadnant was also - a grand and luxurious mansion...
0:02:45 > 0:02:47- ..and home to the Price family.
0:02:52 > 0:02:54- Its design took - thought and imagination.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58- But who provided the wealth - to produce such splendour?
0:03:00 > 0:03:04- The historian, Catrin Wager - explains the background.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08- We don't know much about John Price, - who built the house...
0:03:08 > 0:03:10- ..but he had an interesting job.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14- He was an agent - for the Mona Mine Company...
0:03:14 > 0:03:17- ..a company that mined - at Parys Mountain.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21- In its time, it was one - of Europe's biggest copper mines.
0:03:22 > 0:03:26- It was a site of incredible growth - in the Industrial Revolution.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28- As an agent for that company...
0:03:28 > 0:03:32- ..he must have used his wealth - to build these amazing gardens.
0:03:32 > 0:03:38- Yes, an agent was quite wealthy, - despite being employed by others.
0:03:38 > 0:03:44- They were one of 23 families who - owned most of Anglesey at that time.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46- It shows how much money - was to be made.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51- However, whenever people make money, - others will suffer.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54- There was a lot of poverty - in Amlwch.
0:03:54 > 0:03:58- The land around Amlwch - had become a wasteland...
0:03:58 > 0:04:01- ..because of the poisonous gases.
0:04:01 > 0:04:06- There was a shortage of food which - resulted in riots by the workers.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09- Life in Amlwch was very different - to the one found here.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14- Indeed, and the breeze here - would have been fresh and sweet.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17- Yes, when compared to the stench - over there.
0:04:22 > 0:04:27- With its wealth of plants and the - natural feel of the entire garden...
0:04:27 > 0:04:30- ..you might think - that it's been here for ever.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34- But everything, - apart from the large trees...
0:04:35 > 0:04:37- ..was planted in the last 20 years.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42- When I came here, you didn't - actually know this was here.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47- On a map, you could see the - resemblance of a walled garden...
0:04:47 > 0:04:50- ..but it was a huge screen of trees.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53- Most of it hadn't been touched - for 70 years.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56- It was, basically, derelict.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02- We've cleared an area at a time.
0:05:02 > 0:05:08- Starting with the walled garden, the - upper valley and the lower valley.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15- At two acres, it's the - biggest walled garden I've seen.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20- That's enough to hold - a football pitch and the stands!
0:05:20 > 0:05:25- Instead of using it for vegetables, - the owner has laid a perfect lawn.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28- The pyramid-like geometric shapes...
0:05:29 > 0:05:34- ..lead the eye from the entrance - down to the pond at the bottom.
0:05:36 > 0:05:42- The walled garden is of interest to - the floral designer, Sioned Edwards.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45- At first glance...
0:05:45 > 0:05:50- ..some people might think that - using the walled garden as a lawn...
0:05:50 > 0:05:52- ..is very wasteful.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55- Yes, but it is so beautiful.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00- Your eye is drawn by the - pyramid-like geometrical shapes...
0:06:00 > 0:06:03- ..all the way down to the bottom.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06- The walls are also wonderful.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08- The architecture is clever.
0:06:08 > 0:06:13- They follow the shape of the - landscape down through the valley.
0:06:14 > 0:06:19- As well as running downwards, the - garden makes a central 'V' shape.
0:06:19 > 0:06:25- The walls on both sides run down to - the middle to make that 'V' shape...
0:06:25 > 0:06:30- ..which draws us down to the bottom - and makes the garden feel bigger.
0:06:30 > 0:06:34- I can't think of another walled - garden with a hollow in the middle.
0:06:35 > 0:06:36- It's quite unusual.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39- It's quite unusual.- - Yes, it's unique to Plas Cadnant.
0:06:40 > 0:06:41- It's a lovely pond.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45- Yes, with the bergenias - around the sides.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55- On Boxing Day in 2015, - we almost lost the entire garden...
0:06:56 > 0:06:59- ..when a huge storm struck - and destroyed the gardens.
0:07:01 > 0:07:05- Visitors usually visit Plas Cadnant - near Menai Bridge for the gardens...
0:07:06 > 0:07:09- ..but the water has washed away - this wall...
0:07:09 > 0:07:12- ..and destroyed over 20 years - of hard work.
0:07:17 > 0:07:21- The valley above the garden - covers 50 or 60 acres of land.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25- All that water gathered - and it has to come this way.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28- The walled garden - started to fill like a tank.
0:07:28 > 0:07:33- Eventually, it got higher and higher - and higher until the wall collapsed.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38- A lot of the walled garden - was carried 200 yards...
0:07:39 > 0:07:41- ..to the river at the bottom.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52- Few would have started - from scratch once again...
0:07:53 > 0:07:56- ..but Anthony was determined - to keep going.
0:07:59 > 0:08:04- Following a winter of rebuilding, - recreating and replanting...
0:08:04 > 0:08:08- ..the garden has been returned - back to its former glory.
0:08:20 > 0:08:24- This garden has been designed - very carefully.
0:08:24 > 0:08:28- One special feature is the - wooded vale threaded with paths.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32- It's a unique paradise - in a hidden corner of the garden.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39- This is the current - owner's attempt...
0:08:39 > 0:08:44- ..to recreate the traditional, - picturesque landscape in a garden.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47- It was popular during - the Victorian era.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49- What was that tradition?
0:08:49 > 0:08:51- In Victorian times...
0:08:51 > 0:08:56- ..people were moving to the cities - from the countryside to find work.
0:08:57 > 0:09:01- They had more money, - travelled further...
0:09:01 > 0:09:06- ..and visited countries - with wonderful landscapes.
0:09:06 > 0:09:11- They would buy paintings of this - scenery and hang them on the walls.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15- That's how the idea of - picturesque gardens became popular.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19- Their gardens were made - to look like the paintings...
0:09:19 > 0:09:23- ..with something in the foreground, - in the middle...
0:09:23 > 0:09:25- ..and also a background.
0:09:25 > 0:09:30- There had to be texture, - shape, shadow, light and colour.
0:09:30 > 0:09:35- Everything required for a painting - was brought into the garden.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39- This is where we see - the work of Humphry Repton.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42- Yes, and he was a unique designer...
0:09:43 > 0:09:46- ..who presented his work - by painting a picture.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50- Instead of preparing a sketch, - he used watercolours.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54- He would paint a picture - of his garden design.
0:09:55 > 0:09:57- They were called Red Book paintings.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59- He kept them in a book - with a red cover.
0:10:00 > 0:10:04- The irony is that instead of - painting a picture of the garden...
0:10:04 > 0:10:09- ..you painted the picture and - then used it to design the garden.
0:10:10 > 0:10:14- There's something nice about - being led through this garden.
0:10:14 > 0:10:19- We know it isn't natural but - it has such a natural feel to it.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22- It feels like it's always been here.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25- It really makes us appreciate...
0:10:25 > 0:10:30- ..all the hard work that's gone into - making something look so natural.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32- It doesn't just happen.
0:10:32 > 0:10:33- It doesn't come easy.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35- It doesn't come easy.- - No, not at all.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43- This was once a private, - family garden.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48- Today, the Plas Cadnant gardens - has visitors from across the world.
0:10:54 > 0:10:59- With some of the buildings now used - as holiday cottages and a cafe...
0:11:00 > 0:11:04- ..there are more opportunities than - ever to visit the lovely gardens.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13- Anthony's tenacity and dedication...
0:11:14 > 0:11:17- ..has brought the Price's paradise - back to life.
0:11:17 > 0:11:22- Come to one of Anglesey's best-kept - secrets before the buses arrive!
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0:11:42 > 0:11:47- Some areas of Wales are more - inaccessible and remote than others.
0:11:48 > 0:11:49- This is one of them.
0:11:49 > 0:11:54- With its forests and mountains, - this valley in Mid Wales...
0:11:54 > 0:12:00- ..is the perfect location to build - a grand mansion and unique garden.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11- This is The Hall at Abbey Cwm Hir.
0:12:11 > 0:12:16- It's a gothic whopper built in 1833, - during the Victorian era.
0:12:16 > 0:12:22- You would expect to see a Victorian - garden here, and there is one...
0:12:22 > 0:12:26- ..but this garden - does have some unusual elements.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30- Elements that reflect the humour - and taste of the present owners.
0:12:36 > 0:12:41- The Hall and garden of Abbey Cwm Hir - are in a village of the same name...
0:12:41 > 0:12:44- ..in a hidden valley - north west of Llandrindod.
0:12:45 > 0:12:46- It's a wonderful location.
0:12:47 > 0:12:51- The Hall, on the side of the valley, - makes the most of the scenery.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53- From the mid 1800s...
0:12:54 > 0:12:58- ..the house was owned - by the prosperous Philips family.
0:12:58 > 0:13:02- Their wealth allowed them - to develop the garden.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08- This walled garden - ticks a lot of boxes.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12- The high wall provides shelter - from the wind.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15- It obviously faces the sun.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18- When building a house on a slope...
0:13:18 > 0:13:22- ..it's inevitable that - the back garden is on one too...
0:13:22 > 0:13:26- ..so it gets the best - of the sunshine every day.
0:13:26 > 0:13:31- You can see the garden from every - window at the back of the house.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34- Lastly, and most importantly...
0:13:34 > 0:13:38- ..when you reach the top - of the garden, the view is superb.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42- Ten out of ten, - a tick and a gold star!
0:13:51 > 0:13:57- Planting within the walled garden - concentrates on shape and texture.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00- As well as colourful flowers...
0:14:00 > 0:14:06- ..the trees and contrasting plants - are a feast of green for the eyes.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19- Helen Scutt is a garden designer.
0:14:19 > 0:14:24- It's her first visit here and she's - delighted with what she has seen.
0:14:24 > 0:14:29- This terrace was obviously built - for a specific purpose.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32- There would have been greenhouses - here.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35- At the back, there would have been - one for peaches.
0:14:35 > 0:14:40- In the front, they had warmer beds - to grow things like melons.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43- They were status symbols - and grown to show off!
0:14:44 > 0:14:46- This was the Victorian age.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50- Yes, it went with the wall - circling the garden.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53- Are we looking - at a Victorian garden?
0:14:54 > 0:14:58- Not really as there would have been - more vegetables grown here.
0:14:58 > 0:15:03- The walled garden created a warmer - microclimate for the fruit and veg.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07- Yew trees are very Victorian - and there are plenty here.
0:15:07 > 0:15:13- They also had long herbaceous - borders and we have them here...
0:15:13 > 0:15:15- ..and a rose garden.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18- There are more conifers here today.
0:15:18 > 0:15:24- I don't like too many conifers - but they really suit this garden.
0:15:24 > 0:15:28- That's because the landscape - is covered in conifers.
0:15:29 > 0:15:34- This is like a bowl within the hills - and the conifers sit inside nicely.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40- The garden stretches - further than the walls.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47- A beautiful forest - surrounds the walls.
0:15:48 > 0:15:52- A boating lake was also added - to complete the scene.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56- It was fashionable and - produced power for the local mill.
0:15:56 > 0:16:01- I've always said that a garden - reflects the character of its owner.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04- As we walk around - this small garden...
0:16:05 > 0:16:08- ..we can tell that the owners - are a bit eccentric.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10- They also like to have a bit of fun.
0:16:11 > 0:16:15- It's very sociable to have - three beach huts in your garden.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19- They're very funky - and it's all done ever so well.
0:16:38 > 0:16:43- We have visited so many gardens that - don't have any seats or benches.
0:16:43 > 0:16:48- People work in their gardens - but don't tend to relax in them.
0:16:48 > 0:16:54- Here, it's about relaxing and being - creative, not just about gardening.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10- This job is much tougher - than you would imagine.
0:17:11 > 0:17:16- After the colour and Victorian - planning of the walled garden...
0:17:16 > 0:17:21- ..other parts of the garden might - contain a caravan, for example.
0:17:22 > 0:17:26- But one caravan isn't enough - in a corner of a mountain.
0:17:27 > 0:17:33- There's also a gypsy caravan - and a traditional shepherd's hut...
0:17:33 > 0:17:38- ..to allow you to change location - every few days, if you wish.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54- The man responsible for putting - this unique stamp on the garden...
0:17:54 > 0:17:57- ..is the present owner, - Paul Humpherston.
0:17:58 > 0:18:02- I think gardens should be fun - and they should be unexpected.
0:18:03 > 0:18:07- This is a garden of secret places - and narrow pathways.
0:18:07 > 0:18:11- You come around the corner - and see a set of beach huts...
0:18:11 > 0:18:16- ..purely for the enjoyment of - visitors and also for our enjoyment.
0:18:16 > 0:18:20- A lady from Nottingham - came a few weeks ago and said...
0:18:20 > 0:18:23- .."Is this the set - for the remake of The Prisoner?"
0:18:23 > 0:18:25- Things like that are quite nice.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30- People get a lot of pleasure - in the house and the gardens.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32- That's a nice thing to see.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37- The house is listed Grade II star.
0:18:37 > 0:18:42- Paul and his wife plan to restore - all of the 52 rooms.
0:18:42 > 0:18:47- If the garden incorporates different - elements, then the house does too.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12- The unusual collections...
0:19:12 > 0:19:16- ..keep you interested - in the house and garden.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24- There is, however, - a wider appeal to Abbey Cwm Hir.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30- In front of the house...
0:19:30 > 0:19:34- ..is the abbey - which gave the village its name.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38- It is still a major attraction - in these parts...
0:19:38 > 0:19:42- ..especially as Llywelyn, - Our Last Leader is buried here.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44- Three-quarters of him.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47- By all accounts, - his head went to London.
0:19:58 > 0:20:02- The history of the abbey - and its surroundings is important...
0:20:02 > 0:20:05- ..as the historian, Catrin Wager - can explain.
0:20:05 > 0:20:10- It dates back to around - the mid to late twelfth century.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14- There are conflicting dates - about when it was established.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17- It is a Cistercian abbey.
0:20:17 > 0:20:22- The Cistercians were known - for choosing quiet, rural locations.
0:20:22 > 0:20:27- They lived a very simple life of - gardening and growing food to eat.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29- It would have been a peaceful life.
0:20:29 > 0:20:33- At this time, many monasteries - were built in Wales and Europe.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37- This one is striking - because of its size.
0:20:37 > 0:20:42- It is one of the longest in Europe, - measuring at 78 metres.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46- Westminster Abbey is 71 metres and - Strata Florida is 41-metres-long.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49- This one is huge.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53- Like many other abbeys - in the sixteenth century...
0:20:53 > 0:20:55- ..Cwm Hir was destroyed...
0:20:56 > 0:21:00- ..in Henry VII's - Dissolution of the Monasteries.
0:21:00 > 0:21:06- Its remains are still present as - they built a village from the ruins.
0:21:07 > 0:21:11- There now stands another - striking place of worship here.
0:21:11 > 0:21:16- We are standing on a private path - belonging to the owners of The Hall.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20- It leads to the church through - private gates over a private bridge!
0:21:20 > 0:21:25- They would have had a private seat - at the front of the church too.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27- That is a real status symbol.
0:21:27 > 0:21:31- It states that this is - the main house in the village.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34- There is a special quality - to this place.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37- It feels like a village estate.
0:21:37 > 0:21:42- There is an architectural unity as - the buildings have similar windows.
0:21:43 > 0:21:48- It was all designed with one vision - in mind and it hasn't changed since.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51- It's a lovely place.
0:21:51 > 0:21:56- There had been a church on this site - which was in ruins by Wilson's time.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58- The Philips family arrived in 1870.
0:21:59 > 0:22:04- They tore it down to build a church - to complement the village's style.
0:22:04 > 0:22:08- It cost 2,000 - which was quite a large sum.
0:22:08 > 0:22:14- It was all about status but there's - still a lovely atmosphere here.
0:22:18 > 0:22:22- The owner of the garden also wants - to create a lovely atmosphere.
0:22:30 > 0:22:32- I think he's done a good job.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36- It suits the landscape - and the house.
0:22:36 > 0:22:42- He likes to create little areas - with narrow paths connecting them.
0:22:42 > 0:22:48- How do the non-horticultural - elements fit into the garden?
0:22:48 > 0:22:52- They fit into the garden - because it is their garden.
0:22:52 > 0:22:58- They take delight in creating - a special, funky place.
0:23:07 > 0:23:11- There's no doubt that it is a - very personal and beautiful garden.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13- It's also a bit eccentric.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16- That is what makes life - so interesting.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20- Not every garden is the same - and thank the Lord for that!
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