This is a place reclaimed from nature through one man’s dedication, and it has since been voted the British public’s favourite garden.
From the road, there’s little to hint at the wonders hidden beyond the pillared entrance. Just a short walk away lies a collection of grottos, follies, shadowy tunnels, and no fewer than four waterfalls.
There’s a walled garden, a “jungle,” and a grand avenue of yew trees shaped like pyramids. For those seeking a view, belvederes offer stunning panoramas of wild woodlands and the distant peaks of Eryri (Snowdonia).
This is a garden like no other, created by a man who tamed nature. When Anthony Tavernor arrived in 1996, its beauty was buried beneath almost 70 years of overgrowth.
Gradually, the thick bushes and tangled brambles were cleared, but the name stuck: today, Plas Cadnant Hidden Gardens are a must-see attraction for both locals and visitors to Anglesey.
So popular, in fact, that last autumn, Plas Cadnant was crowned the nation’s favourite public garden in a competition supported by the National Garden Scheme.
More recently, Tripadvisor reviews ranked it as Wales’ third-best “hidden gem,” surpassed only by Castell y Bere in Gwynedd and Insole Court in Cardiff.
Perhaps the greatest recognition comes from the sheer number of returning visitors: once discovered, the hidden gardens keep drawing people back.
Anthony, a former farmer from Staffordshire, first spotted the 19th-century estate in a magazine advert. One visit to Anglesey and just 20 minutes exploring were enough for him to make an offer.
He knew it would be a “labour of love,” and two decades later, even after a devastating flood, his passion remained strong enough to restore it all over again.
“Visitors often think it’s called the hidden garden because they can’t find it,” he said. “But the name actually comes from how overgrown and derelict it was when I arrived after decades of neglect.”
One of its standout features is Plas Cadnant’s “catenary curve” stone wall. Spanning a valley in the walled garden, its elegant curve mimics the design of the nearby Menai Suspension Bridge.
Remember - LeaveNoTrace!
As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!
Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.
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