Highlights
- Themed garden rooms including the Pompeian Garden, Italian Terrace and rose garden
- The arboretum, the largest part of the garden
- The reflecting pool and the lawns in front of Dyffryn House
- Trees raised from plant-hunting expeditions sponsored by Reginald Cory, including paper bark maple
About Dyffryn Gardens
Dyffryn lies in the Vale of Glamorgan, a few miles west of Cardiff. John Cory bought the estate in 1891 and built Dyffryn House in 1893 to 1894. He commissioned the landscape architect Thomas Mawson to design a garden to suit it, and the work ran from 1894 to 1909.
John's son Reginald Cory, a keen horticulturist and plant collector, inherited in 1910 and filled the garden with plants, sponsoring plant-hunting expeditions. The National Trust took on the gardens in 2013 on a 50-year lease from the Vale of Glamorgan Council, and describes Dyffryn as an Edwardian garden in restoration.
What to see
- Garden rooms: a series of themed spaces to the west of the house, including the Pompeian Garden, Italian Terrace, physic garden, rose garden and Australasian and Mediterranean gardens.
- Reflecting pool and lawns: the formal setting in front of Dyffryn House.
- Arboretum: the largest part of the garden, running from the kennel bank to the rockery.
Planning your visit
Parking is free, with Blue Badge spaces and an electric vehicle charging point. The nearest station is Cardiff Central, about 7 miles away. There is a café, shop, plant shop and second-hand bookshop, and toilets in four parts of the garden. Wheelchairs and a mobility scooter can be borrowed free of charge, and the welcome team can show you accessible routes on the map. Cycles cannot be ridden in the gardens.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit Dyffryn Gardens?
Adult tickets are £15.40 with Gift Aid or £14 without, children aged 5 to 17 pay £7.70 or £7, and a family ticket is £38.50 with Gift Aid. Under 5s and National Trust members go free, and parking is free.
Can I bring my dog to Dyffryn Gardens?
Yes. Dyffryn is a popular place for dog walkers, and dogs should be kept on a short lead at all times.
Is Dyffryn Gardens accessible?
The site is largely accessible, with step-free routes, Blue Badge parking and accessible toilets at regular intervals. Wheelchairs and a mobility scooter can be borrowed free of charge; booking ahead is recommended. The visitor buggy is out of service until further notice.
How do I get to Dyffryn Gardens?
From the M4 junction 33, take the A4232 towards Barry, then the A48 towards Cowbridge and follow signs in St Nicholas. Parking is free. The X2 bus stops in St Nicholas, about a mile's walk along a road without a pavement.