Furnace Wood and Meadow trail, Bodnant Garden
Nestled in Bodnant Garden's 80 acres, this hillside trail through Furnace Wood and Meadow will take you to new heights and reward you with panoramic views.
Furnace wood and meadow closed following Storm Darragh
Some areas of the garden will remain closed as clear-up work following Storm Darragh continues. Furnace wood and meadow, two areas hardest hit during the storm, will remain closed for the foreseeable future to allow the team to clear many of the tall pine trees that were lost. Thank you to everyone for your support and understanding during this time and for continuing to visit the garden. Each visit helps to support the work of the whole team following events such as this.
Total steps: 6
Total steps: 6
Start point
Old Mill in The Dell. Grid ref: SH800723
Step 1
Starting from the Old Mill, follow the path leading past the refreshment kiosk towards the Dell garden. Take the first right-hand path uphill over a small wooden bridge which takes you up the long Douglas Path, which is lined with mature Douglas firs. Continue to a clearing at the top.
Step 2
This route brings you to a clearing where you'll see Furnace Meadow. Looking across the river you can also spot The Poem mausoleum perched on a rocky outcrop. From here take the path which follows the boundary of the meadow steeply uphill through many more towering conifers. As you continue uphill, views across the garden begin to emerge through the trees.
Step 3
Reaching the brow, the path flattens and you approach the Penjerrick Walk. On either side you’ll see young Penjerrick rhododendrons and other newly planted rhododendrons – come back and see them mature in years to come. A parallel path above here runs along the very top of Furnace Hill where, if you take a short detour, you'll see the River Conwy running through the valley towards the sea.
Step 4
At the next junction your path loops and winds back down the hillside alongside Lady’s Seat. Feel free to stop and sit down here to take in the glorious vista across the garden. From here you'll get a bird's eye view of the famous Italianate Terraces on the opposite side of the valley, built between 1904 and 1914.
Step 5
Continue on the path past the Lady's Seat.
Step 6
Back at the junction of Meadow Path you may decide to continue southwards alongside the meadow down to the Far End skating pond area, making your own way back through the Yew Dell and Glades (see map). Or you can return the way you came, down the Douglas Path to the Old Mill.
End point
Old Mill in The Dell. Grid ref: SH800723
Trail map
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Get in touch
Bodnant Garden, Tal-y-Cafn, near Colwyn Bay, Conwy, LL28 5RE
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