The best historic houses and gardens to visit in Wales

Bodrhyddan Hall is a Grade I listed building and has been the home of Lord Langford and his family for over 500 years. Set in several acres of stunning formal gardens and reclaimed woodland, the house is one of the few remaining family-owned stately homes in Wales.

Bodrhyddan is largely of 17th century design with notable Victorian additions and contains an extensive historical collection. Notable examples include arms & armour, a variety of fine art and portraits, and a 3,000 year old Egyptian mummy & Sarcophagus.

Brynbella features nine acres of garden and woodland.

The gardens comprise various elements such as woodland garden, walled garden, three water gardens, a gravel garden (winner of British Association of Landscaping Industries award), plus formal and informal areas of planting.

Gwrych Castle is a Grade I listed country house in North Wales and one of the most talked about attractions in Britain due to hosting ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!  for two consequent years.

Designed by Lloyd Hesketh Bamford-Hesketh and built between 1810 and 1822, Gwrych Castle embodies the ideals of the Romantic Movement set within a picturesque yet ancient inspired landscape.

Hartsheath is a Grade II* 18th and 19th-century country house, set in a 19th-century landscape park.

The Drawing Room has trompe l’oeil decoration with pineapple motifs. The house also contains a unique collection of Welsh watercolours and works by the “Jewish Holbein” Isidor Kaufmann, as well as interesting collection of furniture and porcelain.

Plas Brondanw was built by Clough Williams-Ellis’s ancestor around 1550. He was given the house by his father in 1908. “It was for Brondanw’s sake that I worked and stinted” he wrote, “for its sake that I chiefly hoped to prosper”.

Although less well known than his village and gardens at Portmeirion, the gardens of Brondanw are nevertheless considered by many to be Clough Williams-Ellis’smost important creation. All proceeds and donations go directly towards the cost of maintaining the garden.

Described as one of North Wales’ best kept secrets is Plas Cadnant Hidden Gardens. Situated at the side of the Menai Strait, hidden from view near to Menai Bridge on the Isle of Anglesey.

In 1996, the present owner bought the 200 acre Plas Cadnant Estate and work began on the restoration of the historic garden and grounds. Since then large parts of the gardens have undergone a spectacular transformation and have been restored to their former glory.