Visiting the garden at Plas Newydd

Family enjoying the Terraces in the garden at Plas Newydd | © National Trust Images / Paul Harris

The Grade-I listed landscape at Plas Newydd, Anglesey, consists of 40 acres of garden and 129 acres of woodland and parkland.

Winter highlights at Plas Newydd

The garden in winter is when the views are at their best. The cold days, with snow on the mountains and the sun low on the Menai is a stunning combination. It’s also perhaps the best time to appreciate the marvellous collection of trees in the garden, from majestic pines to the silver trunks of beech and eucalyptus.

On Dock Road on the way to the mansion, there are the beautifully scented pink flowers of Viburnum x bodnantense, blooming as frost allows, and the delicate yet tough bright yellow blossoms of witch hazel, seemingly impervious to cold.

Couple walking in the garden at Plas Newydd with mountains in the background — Exploring the garden at Plas Newydd | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

Nature in winter

It’s also worth keeping a look out for migratory birds, such as fieldfare and redwing, feasting on yew and cotoneaster berries throughout the garden, as well as blackbirds tucking into the walnut-like fruits of the handkerchief tree at the far end of the West Indies.

In winter you’ll find changing colours at Plas Newydd as you walk through the garden exploring different pathways. On your frosty adventure enjoy spectacular views across the Menai Strait towards the Snowdonia mountain range and look out for some very special wildlife.

Two people walking through the autumnal garden towards the house at Plas Newydd, Anglesey. — Walking through the garden at Plas Newydd, Anglesey, North Wales. | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

Winter flowers

On Dock Road spot winter flowering shrubs such as Hamamelis (witch hazel) blooming in pretty, yellow clusters, and the strongly scented pink flowers of the Bodnant viburnum. Meanwhile the conifers look beautiful in winter, especially the Japanese cedar with its reddish-bronze foliage below the terraces.

Wildlife in winter

Catch sight of red squirrels by visiting the squirrel hide in Church Bank Wood. Squirrels don’t hibernate and with less foliage on the trees, winter is a great time to spot these shy creatures.