The National Botanic Garden of Wales  
 

The National Botanic Garden of Wales

  

Lothlorien Cottage is located within a short drive of two of the best Botanic Gardens in Wales, both of which are well worth a visit, and have regular activities planned throughout the year.

The National Botanic Garden of Wales is just over half an hour's drive from Lothlorien, about three quarters of the way to Carmarthen.

The Garden of Wales is set in 568-acres of awe-inspiring countryside and stunning planting, with the "Great Glasshouse", the world's biggest single-span glasshouse, as its centerpiece.

There is a Totally Tropical House, lakes, walks, the Double Walled Garden, the Bee Garden, Bog Garden and much, much more besides.
 
 
The Great Glasshouse

The Great Glasshouse was designed by Norman Foster and Partners and is dedicated to the threatened Mediterranean climates of the world: The Mediterranean Basin, South Africa, South West Australia and parts of Chile and California. Its interior design includes a ravine, rock faces, waterfalls and bridges.

The Garden of Wales is a £43.3 million development with £21.7 million invested by the Millennnium Commission.

There are events on throughout the year, with a selection listed below.

Vision for the Future
The Garden of Wales opened fully on May 24th 2000 with the vision "of a world where we understand, value, use, enjoy and sustain plant life to create a balance of life on earth.

The philosophy is about giving the next generation a say in the sort of world they want to inherit. Today’s generation has a choice - to make or break the environment."
 

October 7 – November 24 in the Courtyard Gallery: Wired - a participatory project held over the summer at Carmarthen’s Oriel Myrddin Gallery, run by artist Julia Griffiths Jones.

Fri- Nov 23rd: 6pm – 9pm Swansea Astronomical Society will be at the Garden with their telescopes for anotherStar Party.   Given clear skies there should be splendid views of the Moon and Jupiter. But there will always be plenty to see and do with talks, demonstrations, and videos in the Great Glasshouse. The Med Cafe will be open for food and drink. £3 entry fee -under 16s are free (bring your car round through the Corporate Entrance – it’ll be signposted).

Sunday Nov 25thJubilee Woods – Community Planting Day
(FREE entry) 2 hours of planting from 11am-1pm. There are 11,000 trees in all to be planted (inc school planting days). Come and help us plant our Jubilee Wood. There are thousands of trees to plant and, with your help and the assistance of the Woodland Trust, we reckon we’ll  do it. Wear stout footwear and outdoor, weather-proof clothing.

Sunday December 2: Celtic Women Concert Series – Amy Wadge in the Great Glasshouse 1 – 2pm

Sunday December 2:  Clarsach Society Wales Branch 11am-3.30pm in the Gallery – join in the fun and learn to play the harp

Sat-Sun Dec 8-9 Christmas Craft Fair -  a gift for everyone looking for a pressie, the Craft Fair will include locally handcrafted ceramics, jewellery, soap, clocks, woodcraft, woollen crafts, teddy bears and much more.

Sat-Sun Dec 15-16 Christmas Food Fair: Try and buy fabulous food and drink from an army of local producers. There’s whiskey, chocolate, hampers, cakes, delicious cheese, pastries, meat, fresh artisan bread, beer and lots more besides. It all happens amid the Mediterranean plantings of the Great Glasshouse – the largest single-span glasshouse on the planet. 10am-4.30pm both days

Sunday January 6: Celtic Women Concert Series: Sarah Passmore, Jemma Krysa, AN Other at 1pm-2pm in the Great Glasshouse

January 12 & 13 2013: Antiques Fair. All adults: £2, under-16s, free. Organised by Derwen Fairs, two days of high-quality antiques stalls with china, jewellery and furniture, in the stunning surrounds of Lord Foster’s Great Glasshouse. 10am-4.30pm both days.

19 & 20 January – Woodcraft Weekend: an event for all woodworkers including woodturning, carving, intasia, children’s workshop on pyrography.  With international craftsmen demonstrating such as Bob Neill, Simon Hope, Mark Raby.  Also trade stands including Robert Sorby, Trend, Ashley Iles, Turners Retreat, Timberman, Charnwood, 10am-4.30pm both days + Musical entertainment. Admission charge: just £2

January 26 & 27: Food Fair. Admission charge: just £2

26-27 January Fusion Inspire – music/dance in the marquee; film show in the AV Theatre; art installation in the Gallery

Sunday February 3: Celtic Women Concert Series: Lowri Evans 1pm-2pm in the Great Glasshouse  

Friday February 22: Star Party. Join the Swansea Astronomical Society (the other SAS) and contemplate the heavens. With talks, presentations, star gazing and telescope clinic. 6pm-9pm, entry: £3 each, under 16s free.

March 1st St David’s Day. FREE entry for all in honour of our patron saint. Come and enjoy the green shoots of recovery as spring gets under way, with FREE hands-on harp sessions, traditional Welsh dancing and Welsh music. 10am-4.30pm

Sunday March 10 – Mothers’ Day free entry for mums + Food + Craft Fair

Sunday March 17 – The Rover 75 & MGZT Owners Club National Meet 2013 – with 100+ cars on display

Saturday and Sunday 6th and 7th April: Meet a Meerkat – Tropical Inc bring their exotic animal show back to the Garden (shows through the day)

Sunday April 28: Tenovus 10K Fun Run around the Garden

Sat-Sun May 11-12: West Wales Food Festival – top chefs, local food and drink producers, Teen Chef competition, tastings, demos, masterclasses, music, magic and much, much more

Sunday June 2 – Folk Music and Dance Day

Saturday June 22: Midsummer Concert, Symphonica Tywi, Great Glasshouse (rehearsing from 1pm-3pm, playing from 7.30ish until dusk)

Saturday July 13: International Day of Dance

Sunday July 21: Ffestiva! World music day

Saturday-Sunday August 10-11: Black Mountain Falconry

Sat-Sun Aug 17-18: Welsh Tree Festival

Saturday 31st August – Sunday September 1st Orchid Festival

October 5-6: Antiques Fair – the biggest collection of antiques stalls ever in Carmarthenshire + half price entry

Sunday October  13: Wales Fungus Day (part of UK Fungus Day)

October 19-20:  Apple Weekend
 

National Botanic Garden of Wales,
Llanarthne,
Carmarthenshire
SA32 8HG
Tel: 01558 668768

Open every day except Christmas Day.
Opening times:
Winter: 10.00am - 3.30pm.
Summer: 10.00 - 6.00pm. Last entry 1 hour before closing. Guide dogs only.