The lord's garden at Nantclwyd y Dre takes shape, as these photographs show, thanks to exclusive access given to this Blog by the Friends of Nantclwyd.
The restored garden (beyond the inner garden previously renovated at
the house's 2007 opening) will be fully open during spring 2016. Among its attractions will be these raised beds that aim to ensure disabled people can take part in activities.
Meanwhile, improvements are already tangible, with stone walling repaired, land cleared and paths relaid. The layout will be as it would have been in the 1700s. Wherever possible, the beds will see traditional plants & varieties appropriate to that time.
Nantclwyd y Dre may date from c.1435, but the Lord's Garden was acquired in 1691. The garden is registered Grade 2, as are the walls. The summerhouse, above, as seen from the Lard's Garden, was nothing other than ostentatious and basically was a visible display of great wealth.
The Lord's Garden was dependable (i.e. its walls were designed to keep out petty thieves). Also of interest, now that access to the very edge of the garden was possible, are what these days are rare glimpses over the desolate, overgrown and
still-closed Cunning Green. Indeed, last month, the county council applied for more time (it was scheduled to open in May this year).
The view where once cannon were believed to have fired upon the castle shows the the state of the 18th century castle walls that are permeated in parts with weeds. In the custody of the castle and one private owner, the wall remains a cause for concern as to the structure's integrity and therefore safety.
