Visit the gardens at Dyffryn

Winter highlights

It may be winter, but the gardens at Dyffryn are anything but bleak. At this time of year the aromas of scented shrubs including Christmas box, winter sweet and winter honeysuckle fill the chilly air. Discover more delicate scents from sarcococca, chimonanthus and hamamelisna as you head around the gardens on a winter wander.

Winter flowering plants

Look out for early snowdrops. You'll often find them tucked under trees alongside clusters of hellebores dotted around the gardens. Other winter flowering plants to look out for include camellia and cyclamen.

Inside the heated glasshouse, you'll find orchids, bromeliads and aloes flowering in an oasis of colour and warmth, in contrast to the cold weather outside.

Structural splendour

The bare forms of deciduous trees and spectacular bark come to the fore in the winter. The great spire of the dawn redwood in the Exotics Garden is a real favourite. And be sure to seek out the bright bark of the young birches on the Kennel Bank and the mottled cinnamon of stewartia stems in the Arboretum.

Winter wander

1 January

After the hectic energy which often accompanies the end of one year and the start of another, a quiet winter walk is a great way to look after your body and mind during the ongoing winter months.

Pick-up your winter wander leaflet from the Welcome Centre when you arrive, it has a full-site map of the gardens and all the most interesting sections of the garden during the winter are highlighted so you can easily find them. Features such as snowdrops, early crocuses, Christmas Box, and ornamental grass. The map also points out where you can find our Glasshouse for a warming taste of the tropical even in the heart of winter.

On the back of the leaflet you can learn a bit about what our gardeners are up to over the winter and what we need to do to prepare the gardens for the spring.

Spring highlights

The garden is beautiful all year round, but the spring is always such a celebration of light, colour and texture.  

As soon as you arrive, you'll be greeted by happy daffodils which start from the entrance and pop up to greet you all the way through the gardens. On the start of your walk, you'll come across our famous Kennel Bank - filled with crocuses, daffodils and late snowdrops, we have people coming every year to make sure they take a photo of the Kennel Bank at its most beautiful. 

From here either make your way to the Arboretum to see the opening buds on the blossom trees or wander over to the South Lawn to see the extensive displays of tulips and daffodils which add gravitas to the sweeping formal lawn. From here you can see Magnolia trees dotting the view with soft pinks and whites, enticing you to explore the Garden Rooms.

Be transported all over the globe in our themed Garden Rooms, from Italy in our newly reopened Pompeiian Garden where Wisteria will soon be blossoming its way up the garden's columns, to even further afield in the Exotics Garden. In our nearby Kitchen Gardens, the Pear, Apple and Apricot blossom is just getting into its stride and our famous Cherry blossom is starting to spread it's fluffy blooms throughout the entirety of the site. 

Spring is truly a sight to behold at Dyffryn Gardens.

Easter Adventures

Come to Dyffryn Gardens on 7-22 April for a unique, engaging and multi-generational Easter trail. There are 10 activities this year, all are hands-on, Easter-inspired and designed for everyone in the family to enjoy. Complete the trail and collect a dairy or vegan and Free From* chocolate Easter egg. The Dyffryn Easter trail is an opportunity for every member of your family, from youngest to oldest, to have fun and make the kind of precious memories that Easter outings are all about. Prices are £3.50 per trail (normal admission also applies) and there's no need to book. 

*Suitable for people with milk, egg, gluten, peanut and tree nut allergies.

Blossom Watch at Dyffryn Gardens

From March to May join #blossomwatch and look out for the signs of spring as different trees begin to blossom. Use our self-led Blossom Watch Walk to find the best spring highlights. Pick-up the Blossom Watch Walk map at the Welcome Centre when you arrive and it will lead you around the best and most beautiful examples of spring flowers in our gardens. Whilst you’re on your wander, learn how to take great blossom photos through our practical photography learning stations. Or borrow a free creative kit (which includes sketch pad and watercolour paints) to record the blossom through a different art form. 

Throughout the season, what you see on your walk will change depending on the time in the season you come, so it's worth coming back a few times to experience the best of the whole season. Keep your map and come back throughout spring to make sure you see it all.

There is no additional charge for the Blossom Watch Walk map (normal garden admission applies).

Blossom tours

Free blossom tours with Dyffryn's Head Arborist, Rory will be happening throughout the blossom season. They are great opportunities to see the best blossom of the moment, visit areas of the grounds not often seen and learn more about our trees and gardening practices.

While the tours are free we recommend you pre-book your place to ensure you're not disapointed on the day. Please book your spot on the events section.