Posted on 15 March 2011
Springtime at Gregynog Hall
Where can you shake a giant’s hand, view lichen that survived the pollution of the Industrial Revolution, and stroll through an ancient, wild oak woodland that encompasses inspired formal gardens?
The answer is the 750-acre Gregynog Estate, near Newtown, which has recently opened up to the public some of the most significant corners of the estate: four new colour coded walks have been created together with interpretation panels, a map leaflet and a bird hide, thanks to funding from the Countryside Council for Wales.
Gregynog estate, the landscape of which made up of formal gardens, parkland, marsh, farmland and woods, is located on the fringe of Tregynon village, about six miles from Newtown. Its focal point is Gregynog Hall, a picturesque conference and event venue run by the University of Wales that was once the home of famous sisters Margaret and Gwendoline Davies.
Granddaughters of Victorian tycoon David Davies of Llandinam, the sisters amassed the largest collection of French Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works in Britain, which were bequeathed to the National Museums and Galleries of Wales.
To help visitors and people local to the area fully appreciate the estate, the new Lily Lake Walk, Warren Walk, Great Wood Walk and Valley Walk have been created, offering something of interest to everybody. Attractions now include the newly constructed bee apiary, the secluded Mellor’s cottage, the Davies sisters’ painting shed and Quakers Hall, perched in the middle of the lily lake, and the bird watching hide located deep in the Garden House Wood. Simultaneously striking and amusing is the stone statue of a giant hand protruding from the earth, also a favourite of passers-by taking a woodland stroll.
Gregynog Hall gardens promise to be a blaze of colour this spring as 20,000 newly planted bulbs and 400 roses come into bloom at various points, including the recesses of the famous yew hedge.
Speaking of the latest developments to the Estate, Director of Gregynog Hall, Karen Armstrong said;
“Although there were a number of existing footpaths throughout the estate, the most important and dramatic areas were not necessarily accessible by these.”
“The wildlife interpretation panels, which we have installed with support from the Countryside Council Wales, enable visitors to understand the importance of the natural environment within Gregynog.”
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Notes to Editors:
To support the upkeep of Gregynog, visitors will be charged £3 for admission to the formal gardens from April 15 this year in addition to a £2.50 charge per car for the estate walks. An annual membership scheme costs £15 per individual and £25 for a family. Details are available from Gregynog on 01686 650224.
A new Easter range will be on offer in the gift shop. Gorgeous locally sourced food will be served in the courtyard café and there will be an Easter bunny hunt and storytelling from April 22-25 April from 11am to 3pm. A Wedding Fair takes place on the 8 May, being a rare opportunity to see the beautiful interiors of Gregynog Hall.
For press and media information, please contact Tom Barrett, Communications Officer, University of Wales:
t.barrett@wales.ac.uk