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0:00:03 > 0:00:07- Did you know that there are - 400 registered gardens in Wales?
0:00:07 > 0:00:11- They can be big, small, - formal or wild.
0:00:11 > 0:00:16- Every garden gives pleasure to the - thousands who visit them every year.
0:00:16 > 0:00:22- I'm visiting a few of our gardens - to see the wealth on our doorstep.
0:00:22 > 0:00:26- It's the golden age of the garden.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29- Welcome to Gerddi Cymru.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55- This is my first visit - to this garden.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59- I've always tried - to avoid the turning...
0:00:59 > 0:01:04- ..on my way to the beaches of Tenby - and Saundersfoot in Pembrokeshire.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07- However, - this is a beautiful garden...
0:01:07 > 0:01:12- ..which literally - has more layers than you think!
0:01:24 > 0:01:27- Colby Woodland Garden - is situated in Pembrokeshire...
0:01:28 > 0:01:30- ..on the outskirts of Amroth.
0:01:33 > 0:01:37- The garden is a wooded valley - that extends down to the sea.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42- The house was built - in the early 19th century...
0:01:42 > 0:01:47- ..and the gardens were erected - around the house later that century.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51- Colby offers three things.
0:01:51 > 0:01:55- A walled garden - positioned near the house...
0:01:55 > 0:01:57- ..to grow fruit and vegetables.
0:01:58 > 0:02:02- A striking forest, - which is a perfect habitat...
0:02:02 > 0:02:05- ..for a mixture of innate - and imported trees.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09- There's also a meadow - filled with wild flowers...
0:02:10 > 0:02:12- ..pretty ponds and streams.
0:02:12 > 0:02:17- It's hard to believe that within - the boundaries of this garden...
0:02:17 > 0:02:21- ..that there's room for - a whole valley to grow wild.
0:02:21 > 0:02:26- Everything that you see here - has been purposely planted...
0:02:27 > 0:02:30- ..to give the impression - that the area is wild.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33- This isn't a simple thing - to accomplish.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09- The floral designer, - Sioned Rowlands joins me...
0:03:09 > 0:03:12- ..to tell me more about - the gardens history.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16- What was the original purpose - of a garden like this?
0:03:17 > 0:03:19- They say that a garden...
0:03:20 > 0:03:23- ..with such a tall wall - surrounding it...
0:03:23 > 0:03:29- ..was built to protect the flowers - from the weather and animals.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32- However, there's another reason.
0:03:32 > 0:03:36- At the time - that these walls were built...
0:03:36 > 0:03:42- ..the fruit, vegetables and herbs - grown in the garden were valuable.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46- These protected them from thieves.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50- These garden walls differ - to others that we've seen...
0:03:51 > 0:03:54- ..as they don't have - a regimental pattern.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57- This is what I love about it.
0:03:57 > 0:04:02- We usually see formal borders - on the edges of these walls...
0:04:02 > 0:04:04- ..with formal spaces.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07- However, this is very informal.
0:04:07 > 0:04:12- The middle area with - a small orchard is wild.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15- They allowed the plants - to grow around it.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19- The flowers and grass - are informal...
0:04:19 > 0:04:23- ..compared to other - conventional walled gardens.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27- It's higgledy-piggledy - and I like it.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29- Speaking of grass...
0:04:30 > 0:04:35- ..there's a whole valley of grass - and wild flowers in the meadow.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40- There are so many innate - flowers and grass.
0:04:40 > 0:04:45- You want to touch them - as you walk through.
0:04:45 > 0:04:50- The owners of the garden - are eager to attract families...
0:04:50 > 0:04:53- ..to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere.
0:04:53 > 0:04:57- It's wonderful to see people - taking advantage of this area.
0:05:16 > 0:05:21- We've left the walled garden - and the meadow...
0:05:21 > 0:05:24- ..and have made our way - to the forest.
0:05:24 > 0:05:30- I can recognize twelve different - types of tree in front of me.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33- Some of which are innate trees.
0:05:34 > 0:05:35- Yes, it's great.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39- There are 18 acres of garden here...
0:05:39 > 0:05:43- ..and eight of those are forestry.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46- There's a fantastic variety.
0:05:46 > 0:05:51- Was it easy to collect plants - from around the world...
0:05:51 > 0:05:55- ..bring them back and expect them - to flourish in this bad soil?
0:05:55 > 0:06:00- You'd think it would be difficult - as many are from warmer climates.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03- I'm sure many failed...
0:06:03 > 0:06:08- ..but it's 100 years later - and the area is flourishing.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12- It helps that the sun is shining - on us today...
0:06:12 > 0:06:17- ..and the colours and - textures of the leaves can be seen.
0:06:27 > 0:06:31- The trees at Colby - are all shapes and sizes...
0:06:31 > 0:06:34- ..and extend - like a green carpet...
0:06:34 > 0:06:38- ..all the way down the valley - towards Amroth beach.
0:06:55 > 0:07:00- But why am I standing - next to this large rock?
0:07:00 > 0:07:02- The colour might be a clue!
0:07:02 > 0:07:06- Over 200 years ago, - only coal could be found here.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10- There were no flowers or trees, - only coal.
0:07:17 > 0:07:21- This was a different place - at the end of the 18th century.
0:07:21 > 0:07:26- Yes, Pembrokeshire once had - a successful coal industry.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29- There were coal mines - across the county.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33- Hundreds of miners followed - these paths on a daily basis.
0:07:34 > 0:07:39- The historian, Catrin Wager adores - the history revealed by the garden.
0:07:50 > 0:07:56- Today, it's difficult to imagine - an industry on these grounds.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01- It's unbelievable that this was - once a coal mine as it's so natural.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06- The gardens name derives from the - previous landowner, John Colby.
0:08:07 > 0:08:12- How did they transport the coal - before the railway was established?
0:08:12 > 0:08:15- The coal industry - was here before the railway.
0:08:15 > 0:08:19- The location was convenient - as it's close to the sea.
0:08:19 > 0:08:24- Coal was transported from Amroth - to the largest ports in the world.
0:08:24 > 0:08:26- How long did the industry last here?
0:08:27 > 0:08:31- It didn't last for very long, - only about 60 years.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33- The site was sold in 1855.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36- Ampharosite coal was found here.
0:08:36 > 0:08:40- This is good coal - which doesn't contain any smoke.
0:08:40 > 0:08:46- Queen Victoria specifically - asked for the Colby ampharosite...
0:08:46 > 0:08:50- ..to use on her steam boat.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54- There are many stories - connected to the industry.
0:08:55 > 0:09:00- The inspection from 1840 gives us - a great insight to this area.
0:09:00 > 0:09:04- The tale of the seven-year-old boy - sticks in my mind.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07- He worked underground - for three years...
0:09:07 > 0:09:11- ..and in the beginning, - he couldn't keep his eyes open.
0:09:11 > 0:09:17- But after receiving his pipe and - tobacco, he could work a full shift.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21- It's sad to think - of a seven-year-old boy smoking...
0:09:21 > 0:09:27- ..and also smoking underground in a - coal mine where gas could be found.
0:09:27 > 0:09:32- There's no wonder that one of these - mines was called Bedlam Pit...
0:09:32 > 0:09:35- ..due to all the accidents - that took place.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39- These days, only a mound - of grass remains at Bedlam Pit...
0:09:39 > 0:09:43- ..to note the interesting history - of Colby Woodland Garden.
0:09:44 > 0:09:49- At the end of the 19th century, - the area developed as a garden.
0:09:49 > 0:09:53- These days, nature has conquered - the industrial landscape...
0:09:53 > 0:09:58- ..and the gardens are now a paradise - for wildlife.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06- If you look up - to the top of the tree...
0:10:06 > 0:10:08- ..you'll see a kite's nest.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17- There are a number of - ponds around the gardens...
0:10:18 > 0:10:21- ..and lizards are thought - to breed in this one.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39- Colby is a feast for the senses...
0:10:39 > 0:10:43- ..for those interested in wildlife, - horticulture or history.
0:10:43 > 0:10:47- There's something in this - garden for everyone.
0:10:47 > 0:10:52- You could come here and not do any - of those things and just relax.
0:10:52 > 0:10:57- It's nice to do nothing sometimes. - Don't tell anyone!
0:10:59 > 0:11:02- It's been a hard day!
0:11:13 > 0:11:18- Colby is a hidden treasure that - offers a plethora of activities...
0:11:18 > 0:11:21- ..along one of the - best Welsh coastlines.
0:11:22 > 0:11:27- Who thought that such a beautiful - location existed between the trees?
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0:11:36 > 0:11:36- Subtitles
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0:11:57 > 0:12:00- There's nothing shy - about this building.
0:12:00 > 0:12:06- I don't think I've ever stood in - front of a more menacing building.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08- This is a home...
0:12:08 > 0:12:12- ..but not the type where you could - cuddle up in your onesie!
0:12:12 > 0:12:17- This is a Neo-Norman Castle, which - doesn't date back to that period...
0:12:17 > 0:12:20- ..and is quite young - in castle terms.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32- Penrhyn Castle stands - on the outskirts of Bangor, Gwynedd.
0:12:32 > 0:12:37- It's situated between Snowdonia - and the Menai Straits.
0:12:39 > 0:12:43- Castles have been located on this - site since the 7th century...
0:12:44 > 0:12:49- ..but the one we see today - was built a mere 200 years ago.
0:12:49 > 0:12:54- This large ostentatious castle - was built to attract attention.
0:12:54 > 0:12:58- We know that the individual - who built this castle...
0:12:58 > 0:13:00- ..had more money than sense!
0:13:05 > 0:13:09- This was the home of Lord Penrhyn - and the Pennant family.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13- The family made their fortune - from many different industries.
0:13:14 > 0:13:18- Everything that you see - has been specifically built...
0:13:18 > 0:13:22- ..to give the impression of - nobility, wealth and pageantry.
0:13:22 > 0:13:26- Every inch is covered - with some sort of decoration.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29- How much money did - this family have?
0:13:29 > 0:13:34- There's uncertainty surrounding - the number of rooms in the castle.
0:13:34 > 0:13:39- There are at least 200 rooms, - which means they had a lot of money!
0:13:44 > 0:13:50- The family had to have the best of - everything and money was no object.
0:13:50 > 0:13:54- This is visible when viewing - the elegance of each room.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04- Having seen the castle...
0:14:04 > 0:14:10- ..you would imagine that the - gardens are grey, bare and formal.
0:14:10 > 0:14:15- This is where Penrhyn differs and - you might be pleasantly surprised.
0:14:23 > 0:14:28- Penrhyn garden is hidden behind - a wall of stone and trees.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35- It's a small, - neat and pretty garden.
0:14:35 > 0:14:39- The garden is a huge contrast - to the dark castle.
0:14:49 > 0:14:53- Catrin Wager specializes - in the history of Penrhyn Castle.
0:14:54 > 0:14:58- She joined me to discuss - the dubious history of the family...
0:14:58 > 0:15:01- ..and the social importance - of the garden.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07- We know many people visited the - family and stayed in the castle.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10- Was the garden a part of the tour?
0:15:10 > 0:15:14- Yes, it's part of the experience - of coming here.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18- Everything had to be the best.
0:15:18 > 0:15:23- They would take visitors - around the luxurious stables...
0:15:23 > 0:15:27- ..and down to these - formal gardens...
0:15:27 > 0:15:30- ..to show their nobility and wealth.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34- Many events were held here, - including garden parties...
0:15:35 > 0:15:38- ..which would help to - raise funds for charities.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42- When Bangor needed a hospital, - they invited nobility...
0:15:43 > 0:15:47- ..and charged them for - afternoon tea and entertainment.
0:15:47 > 0:15:51- The garden was important - for socializing.
0:15:55 > 0:15:59- This garden continues - to attract visitors.
0:15:59 > 0:16:04- Queen Victoria also visited the - garden during the 19th century.
0:16:04 > 0:16:10- She planted this Wellingtonia tree - in 1859 as a reminder of her visit.
0:16:12 > 0:16:17- The floral designer, Sioned Rowlands - joined me on a tour of the garden...
0:16:17 > 0:16:21- ..to tell me more about the plants - found in this garden.
0:16:21 > 0:16:25- What is the importance - of this garden to gardeners?
0:16:25 > 0:16:30- It's not everyone that can say they - had Walter Speed as their gardener.
0:16:30 > 0:16:34- At that time, he was one - of the best gardeners in Britain.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39- The Pennant family would have - to have one of the best gardeners...
0:16:40 > 0:16:43- ..as a sign - of their nobility and wealth.
0:16:43 > 0:16:48- He was extremely - enthusiastic about his work...
0:16:48 > 0:16:51- ..and he wanted to teach - the younger generation.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54- He had over 30 gardeners - to help him.
0:16:54 > 0:16:58- Walter spent his time teaching - them a variety of things.
0:16:58 > 0:17:02- They preferred to come here - for training...
0:17:02 > 0:17:05- ..rather than Kew Gardens - or Windsor Castle.
0:17:15 > 0:17:20- This is a traditional garden which - is typical of the Victorian Era.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23- Everything is in - a symmetrical shape...
0:17:23 > 0:17:26- ..and the peonies trees - are equal on both sides.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29- Lavender can be found - in a circular shape...
0:17:29 > 0:17:34- ..and there's also ponds - and hidden areas.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37- You could read a book or relax...
0:17:37 > 0:17:41- ..among the wisteria and clematis.
0:17:46 > 0:17:50- There's nothing fashionable - about this cup of tea...
0:17:50 > 0:17:53- ..and some might say - neither is the man holding it!
0:17:54 > 0:17:57- Let's take a trip back - to the 18th century.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00- I'd be considered - a very innovative person...
0:18:00 > 0:18:04- ..to be sat here with - my sugary cup of tea in the garden.
0:18:04 > 0:18:08- Sugar is responsible - for the Pennant family wealth.
0:18:08 > 0:18:13- The history of that wealth is rooted - far from Wales in the Caribbean.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28- Originally from Flintshire...
0:18:28 > 0:18:31- ..the Pennant family - made their money in Jamaica.
0:18:31 > 0:18:36- During the 17th century, - they relocated to Jamaica...
0:18:36 > 0:18:39- ..and invested in sugar plantations.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43- The popularity of sugar increased - and they made a lot of money.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48- However, they made their money - by using slaves.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50- They made a substantial profit.
0:18:52 > 0:18:57- The money flowed into their accounts - at the expense of the slaves.
0:18:57 > 0:19:03- In time, the profit paid - for Penrhyn Castle and gardens.
0:19:03 > 0:19:08- The gardens are full of exotic - plants from around the world.
0:19:12 > 0:19:18- Most of the exotic plants - are at the bottom of the garden.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20- This is the Bog Garden.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22- Yes, isn't it great?
0:19:23 > 0:19:26- What are these Victorian plants?
0:19:26 > 0:19:27- Yes, the gynura.
0:19:28 > 0:19:33- It's currently May, but in August - these plants will be splendorous.
0:19:33 > 0:19:37- They can grow to - be two metres tall...
0:19:37 > 0:19:40- ..and three metres thick.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43- They'll look like forestry!
0:19:43 > 0:19:45- These need moisture.
0:19:45 > 0:19:50- Yes, the roots need to be in water - and the leaves are incredible.
0:19:51 > 0:19:55- The acer trees are fantastic - and are very large and old.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59- Are these the plants - that Speed would have grown?
0:20:00 > 0:20:02- We can see the bamboo and iris.
0:20:02 > 0:20:07- Yes, these type of plants - would have grown here.
0:20:07 > 0:20:11- They would have experimented - with growing these plants.
0:20:11 > 0:20:16- Bamboo would have been - brought over and planted here.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19- Gynuras also flourish here.
0:20:19 > 0:20:23- They would have brought seeds - from their estates in Jamaica...
0:20:23 > 0:20:27- ..in order to grow them here.
0:20:27 > 0:20:31- It's thought that melons - grew well here.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36- They were able to grow melon - in their Welsh garden...
0:20:36 > 0:20:39- ..and serve it to guests - at the dinner table.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42- This was a great sign - of their wealth.
0:20:42 > 0:20:47- No other family could grow melons - in their North Wales gardens.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50- Melons don't have a lot of taste.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54- After making a fortune - in the Caribbean...
0:20:55 > 0:21:00- ..the Pennants turned their - attention to home and to slate.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05- They invested in the - development of agriculture...
0:21:05 > 0:21:08- ..and they established - the Penrhyn Slate Quarry.
0:21:09 > 0:21:14- It was one of the largest quarries - in the world by the 19th century.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17- The quarry employed - 3,000 local people...
0:21:18 > 0:21:22- ..and they successfully exported - slate across the world.
0:21:23 > 0:21:28- The relationship between employer - and workers wasn't a happy one.
0:21:28 > 0:21:34- In 1900, the rocky relationship lead - to the Penrhyn Quarry Great Strike.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39- They were completely different.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43- Whilst one lived - in a house with 310 rooms...
0:21:43 > 0:21:47- ..the quarryman lived - in a two-up two-down cottage.
0:21:47 > 0:21:52- The Pennants were conservatives - and the local workers were liberal.
0:21:53 > 0:21:57- It's these tensions, along - with poor working conditions...
0:21:57 > 0:22:00- ..and the demand - for a union for the workers...
0:22:01 > 0:22:06- ..which lead to the - Penrhyn Quarry Great Strike.
0:22:06 > 0:22:11- It's one of the largest industrial - strikes Britain had ever seen.
0:22:13 > 0:22:18- Today, the remnants of the quarry - remains like a scar on the land.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23- However, the social scars - were much deeper.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31- Penrhyn Castle has been a symbol - of oppression for many...
0:22:31 > 0:22:36- ..but these days, visitors - come to admire its treasures.
0:22:38 > 0:22:43- The fantastic garden is one treasure - that is enjoyed more than any other.
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