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Hafod Uchtryd, Mariamne's Garden

Pgds 20090225 173113 190 9077

Introduction

This small walled garden on a south-facing precipice was created for Mariamne Johnes as a secret retreat and botanical space. It included a moss house and an ornamental urn by Thomas Banks, inscribed with sentimental verse by Samuel Rogers. No original plantings survive, although later exotic plants include ginkgo, yellow buck-eye and hiba.

Hafod Uchtryd, 12 miles south-east of Aberystwyth, is recognised as one of the finest examples in Europe of a Picturesque landscape.

Its most celebrated owner, Thomas Johnes (1748-1816), built a new house in this remote location and laid out its grounds in a manner suited to displaying its natural beauties in sympathy with the 'Picturesque principles' fashionable at the time, with circuit walks allowing the visitor to enjoy a succession of views and experiences. Johnes also used the land for farming, forestry, and gardening, in each case trying out new ideas and experimental methods. Hafod became an essential destination for the early tourist in Wales.

Today the Hafod estate occupies some 200 hectares of the Ystwyth valley and surrounding hills. Most is owned by Natural Resources Wales who, in partnership with the Hafod Trust, is managing a conservation and restoration project with public and private funding."

Visitor Access, Directions & Contacts

Telephone

01974282568

Access contact details

www.hafod.org/ 01974 282568

Directions

www.hafod.org/directions.html

Owners

Forestry Commission (Welsh Assembly)

History

Period

  • 18th Century (1701 to 1800)
  • Late 18th Century (1767 to 1800)
Associated People
Features & Designations

Designations

  • CADW Register of Landscapes Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales

  • Reference: PGW (Dy) 50 (CER)
  • Grade: I

Plant Environment

  • Environment
  • Walled Garden

Style

Informal

Key Information

Type

Garden

Purpose

Ornamental

Plant Environment

Environment

Period

18th Century (1701 to 1800)

Survival

Part: standing remains

Hectares

0.25

Open to the public

Yes

Civil Parish

Ysbyty Ystwyth

References

References

  • Macve, J., The Hafod Landscape An Illustrated History and Guide (Ystrad Meurig, 2004) The Hafod Landscape

Contributors

  • Jennifer Macve