Bodnant Gardens - Colywn Bay

Date of visit - 18/06/2024

We find, while the large majority of what we do is centred around our Little One, we do sometimes try and do things that we enjoy too, as a family unit. We have been members of the National Trust for a few years now, and like to visit new places when we can. We do try and focus on places that have grounds to walk round, and hopefully allow Little One to let off some steam, or at least for him to get a good walk in...

Having been in North Wales for a few days we had a revelation it's very hilly! We had thought that a leisurely stroll around some gardens might be a good way to spend a relaxing day! We clearly hadn't thought about this too much, as like most of the rest of the area, Bodnant Gardens is largely built onto a hillside. There are plenty of flat areas, but equally, particularly when venturing into the woodland area it is very up and down.

Around the formal gardens area there are quite a few steps to negotiate too. We were working with a combination of buggy and wrist-strap on the day, and did manage to lift the buggy up the small sets of steps, but equally had to take detours when there were more steps!

Don't let the talk of steps put you off, there are a couple of wheels friendly walks around the grounds, detailed on the map provided upon entry, it is only when you venture slightly of piste that mobility and access become an issue. We did try and venture up to the McLaren family mausoleum, The Poem, pictured below, using the buggy, but gave up as the path became too steep and uneven. Little One was able to get to the top using the wrist strap, but he had to be under close control, as there was quite a drop off the path leading up.

The building is currently under renovation, and is consequently best viewed from below, with glimpses through the trees - unless of course you fancy the climb up!

There is quite a lot of water evident on site, with a couple of largish ponds, waterfalls, bridges and stepping stones crossing the water (with care). Little One particularly liked the stepping stones, but couldn't quite understand why he couldn't get in! As a caveat previously mentioned, if you have a child attracted to water be super vigilant here, under our guidance and with his wrist strap firmly in place, we were able to manage the grounds without any problems.

The house at Bodnant isn't open to the public, being a private residence, still owned by the McLaren family, with the current residents being Lord and Lady Aberconway. The formal gardens, in particular the rose gardens near the house are a pleasure to walk round. The heady aroma from the many different roses in the garden even attracted out Little One, who sought out different roses to smell - after a quick check by me for no bees being in situ...

As a change from some of the more thrill based days out we have had of late, visiting the gardens was a bit more relaxed, although venturing out into the woods did mean the day was still a bit of a strain, physically on us and Little One. Sticking to the more formal gardens area of Bodnant would make for a more relaxed experience for all.

The National Trust are excellent in their application of disabled and carer "rules" and are happy to issue Essential Companion tickets for an accompanying carer of a NT season ticket holder, which doesn't always have to be the same carer!