Dewstow Gardens and Grottoes

I have to be honest, i had never heard of Dewstow Gardens and Grottoes until a few days before visiting. I had literally been surfing the net looking for somewhere interesting to go on the weekend when I stumble across the website.

So on looking at photos of the place and the website I decided to visit, and it really is magical.

Located in Caerwent, not far from Chepstow, Dewstow Gardens and Grottoes was created in the 1890's by James Pulham and Sons for Henry Oakley. After Oakley'd death in 1940 the grottoes and gardens disappeared, the land given over to post war food production, something that was considered far more important than an ornamental garden at the time.

In the 1960s soil from the M4 motorway cut was deposited on the site further hiding the wonders below, and that's how it remained until the Harris family bought the Dewstow House. 

The gardens were rediscovered and the entrance to the grottoes located and over the next few years, restored to its former glory.

I took so many photos on the day I visited that I will split them up over a few days

THE GARDENS pt 1

Grottoe entrance

For more information including opening times and prices visit the website by clicking HERE

You can also visit their Facebook page by clicking HERE

End of Summer

Well I think that this and the next post are going to be the last of the flower photos for this year, the odd autumn or winter bloom may pop up when I am off on my travels over the next few weeks, but the sheer amount of blooms is decreasing as the winter approaches, but we are in autumn, time for the leaves on the trees to change colour and early morning frosts - I can't wait - bring it on!!

More flowers from the garden

Don't worry, it's not going to be flowers for the rest of the year, I've got lots of others to share as well, but haven't been posting much as I have been unwell this last week. Hopefully now I am better I will be able to get out and about during the week

An Abundance of flowers in the garden

This year has been a bumper year for flowers in my Dad's garden - due to the warm weather so flowers are still blooming. Here are a few photos after a shower

Along the river

I love walking along the river, I have done it so many times over the years during different season, including in the deep snow, and I never get bored with it at all

This week one of the herons was happily fishing in the river just pas the weir.

Talybont

So after lunch and a quick wander along the canal we drove up to Talybont Reservoir, where we stopped for an ice cream and to look at the water - stunning views

Brecon Beacons National Park

So recently we took a trip to the Brecon Beacons, we go every couple of years for a wander around and stop for a pub lunch before moving on to the reservoir for more photos. it was a lovely day, but a little on the hazy side