Latest news with #HelenScutt
South Wales Guardian
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Aberglasney Gardens to host annual Late Summer Fair
Aberglasney Gardens will host its annual Late Summer Fair on Saturday, September 6 and Sunday, September 7, offering a packed programme of horticultural displays, workshops and entertainment for all ages. The mansion will be transformed for the Welsh Orchid Festival, organised by the Orchid Study Group, with rooms filled with rare and hybrid orchids, botanical art and related displays. Helen Scutt, director of Aberglasney Gardens, said: "We hope visitors to Aberglasney will enjoy this extra special experience in September. "The mansion will be full of orchids, the Cloister Garden will be full of plants and the North Lawn will be full of music as well as delicious choices of food and drink. "This really is an event to tease all your senses." Visitors will have the opportunity to purchase orchids, carnivorous plants, companion plants and botanical artwork. Workshops and demonstrations will also be held throughout the weekend, covering topics such as horticulture, flower arranging and watercolour painting. The Cloister Garden will be lined with stalls selling plants and produce, while the North Lawn will host a full schedule of live music. On Saturday, the stage will welcome Saxy Brass, Rock Choir and J4. Sunday's line-up includes Carmarthen Ukuleles, No Mean Biscuit and Nia Tyler, a recent semi-finalist on S4C's Y Llais. Food and drink will be a major draw, with stalls offering spirits, beer, donuts, deli treats and hot food. Visitors can also enjoy refreshments at Aberglasney's Tearooms, which overlook the Pool Garden. Admission to the fair is £10 per person, with free entry for Aberglasney members. The event runs from 10am to 5pm each day. Parking will be available on-site, with additional space provided in nearby fields. The fair also caters to families with young children, who can explore the new natural playground in Pigeon House Wood, featuring a wobble bridge and wooden stepping stones. A garden trail will offer younger visitors the chance to hunt for hidden clues around the grounds. For more details, visit the Aberglasney Gardens website.
South Wales Guardian
03-08-2025
- South Wales Guardian
Aberglasney Gardens named in Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice
Aberglasney Gardens in Carmarthenshire has earned a place in Tripadvisor's Travellers' Choice Awards for 2025, placing it among the top 10 per cent of listings worldwide for the fourth consecutive year. The recognition is based on consistently high reviews from visitors, reflecting the garden's strong reputation and visitor experience. Helen Scutt, director of Aberglasney Gardens, said: "It is outstanding that Aberglasney has ranked amongst the top 10 per cent of those listed on Tripadvisor, as one of the best places to visit, four years in a row. "We are grateful to all those who have taken the time to leave us a review after visiting. "It is no cliché when I say that all the team, the gardeners, the tearooms, the gift shop and the administrative team, all take the reviews on board to help make a visit to Aberglasney the best possible experience for everyone. "Travellers' Choice is one of the most recognised and coveted awards in the travel space, so it is very valuable to us." Tripadvisor's Travellers' Choice Awards are based on reviews and ratings collected over a 12-month period, with winners representing the highest-rated experiences, restaurants, and attractions globally. Kristen Dalton, president of Tripadvisor, congratulated the gardens on their continued success. Ms Dalton said: "Congratulations to Aberglasney Gardens on its recognition in Tripadvisor's Travellers' Choice Awards for 2025. "Ranking among the top percentage of businesses globally means you have made such a memorable impact on your visitors that many of them took time to go online and leave a glowing review about their experience. "We hope this recognition continues to drive business to you in 2025 and beyond." Aberglasney Gardens is known as a 'plantsman's paradise' and offers visitors a variety of garden spaces, historical features, and seasonal displays throughout the year. The gardens are also home to a tearoom and gift shop, making them a popular attraction for both tourists and locals. The Travellers' Choice award is part of Tripadvisor's wider programme to highlight standout destinations and experiences, using traveller feedback to guide recognition.
South Wales Guardian
25-04-2025
- South Wales Guardian
Aberglasney could be named RHS Partner Garden of the Year
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is inviting garden enthusiasts to vote for their favourite garden in the prestigious competition. Aberglasney, described as one of Wales' finest gardens, is open all year round. The Carmarthenshire attraction offers visitors the chance to explore 10 acres of more than 20 different garden styles, from formal to woodland, and sub-tropical to modern. The fully restored ground floor of Aberglasney's grade II* listed mansion regularly hosts exhibitions and events, and also includes a gift shop and tearooms. Helen Scutt, director of Aberglasney Gardens, said: "We know our visitors and members already appreciate a visit to Aberglasney brings them joy, but it would be fantastic to win this prestigious title of 'RHS Partner Garden of the Year'. "We hope we can rely on everyone to vote for us as their favourite RHS Partner Garden." The competition is split into six regions: Midlands and East Anglia, North and Northern Ireland, Overseas, Scotland, South-East and Channel Islands, and the South West and Wales. Votes can be cast until 12pm on Monday, September 29, via the RHS website. Voters, whether members of the RHS or not, will be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 RHS Garden gift voucher. The winning gardens will be announced in December and will receive a special plaque and a professional photoshoot of their garden. Dr Tim Upson, RHS director of gardens and horticulture, said: "We're delighted to be running the RHS Partner Garden of the Year competition once again. "Gardens have a unique way of uplifting us, and the gardens in our scheme are truly special, each offering a unique experience for visitors. "Now is your chance to ensure your favourite garden gets the recognition it deserves – cast your vote and help celebrate the joy and beauty of these incredible spaces." The RHS Partner Gardens scheme currently includes 231 gardens, with 15 new additions in 2025. These gardens, which RHS members can visit free of charge at selected times of the year, range from world-famous grounds to privately-owned hidden gems. The scheme also includes gardens in eight countries outside the UK, including Barbados, Japan, and South Africa.
