Wednesday 14 July 2010, 6.30pm.

Some years ago our branch undertook a survey of the garden at Brocastle and a lot of subsequent research has been carried out by one of our members, George Haynes.  Since then a number of developments at the site have taken place which include buildings of contemporary design being incorporated into the traditional and historic setting to create Brocastle Care Home.  Another of our members, Judy Keenor, is a member of the Hafod Trust which runs the fourteen acre site and has invited us to visit to see how the site has developed to include gardens, woodland areas, walkways and nature trails.  The gardener at Brocastle will take us around the site.

Craig-y-Parc

Wednesday 18 August  4pm

This Grade II* listed house and garden stands on a ridge south-west of the village of Pentyrch, a few miles north-west of Cardiff, and looks out across the Vale of Glamorgan.  Craig-y-Parc is a striking example of a house and garden conceived as one complementary composition under the strong influence of the Arts and Crafts Movement.  The architect and garden designer was CE. Mallows (1864 - 1915), his client was Thomas Evans, director of the Ocean Coal Company, and the whole project was carried out between 1913 and 1918. The house is now a SCOPE residential home and is not normally open to the public.  A cup of tea will be served during the visit.  There is no charge but it is hoped that visitors will make a donation to SCOPE.

For further information on any of these events please contact the Branch Secretary, Val Caple email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Historic Gardens of the Vale of Glamorgan edited by Hilary M Thomas

ISBN: 978-0-9558021-0-2 Format: Hardback, 242x198 mm, 251 pages
Published by South and Mid Glamorgan Branch of the Welsh Historic Gardens Trust

This book explores and celebrates the diverse garden history of the Vale of Glamorgan from the sixteenth century to the present day.
This publication includes the well known, Duffryn, St Fagans, the once great gardens of St Donats Castle and Dunraven Castle as well as the gardens whose names are less familiar. Many interesting gardens are in private ownership and not open to the public but have a fascinating history such as the long and complex history of the Nash Manor garden which mirrors the history of the house; the garden at Merthyr Mawr House where little has changed since its creation two hundred years ago; Craig-y-Parc, Pentyrch an Arts and Crafts garden; and The Court, St Fagans where Gertrude Jekyll once advised the owners on planting. Many of these gardens are described for the first time. The Court is now amongst the lost gardens of the Vale whose history and ultimate decline can be traced alongside others in this sad category including The Ham and Dimlands, both in Llantwit Major. There are also the 'sleeping' gardens at Plas Llanmihangel where the original design is still preserved and Plas Llantrithyd where the once magnificent garden now lies buried, barely discernible beneath the ground.

Price £25 plus £5 p&p

Available from Val Caple, Milestone, Penllyn, Cowbridge, CF7 7RQ.   

email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Please make cheques payable to 'Welsh Historic Gardens Trust'