Highlights
- The Laburnum Arch, the longest in the UK, in flower in May and June
- Five terraces built between 1905 and 1914, with the Pin Mill on the Canal Terrace
- The Dell, a wooded valley with a pinetum and champion trees
- National Collections including magnolias, eucryphias and embothriums
- Views across the valley down to the River Conwy
About Bodnant Garden
Bodnant Garden sits on a slope above the River Conwy near Colwyn Bay. It was begun in 1874 when the industrial chemist Henry Davis Pochin bought the estate. His grandson Henry McLaren, later the 2nd Baron Aberconway, took charge of the garden in 1901 and oversaw its major development, including five terraces built by hand between 1905 and 1914.
Henry McLaren gave Bodnant to the National Trust in 1949. Today it covers 80 acres and is known for its plant collections, including several National Collections and many champion trees.
What to see
- The Laburnum Arch: a tunnel of golden flowers in late spring, said to be the longest in the UK.
- The terraces: formal gardens stepping down the hill, with views across the valley. On the Canal Terrace the Pin Mill, a garden building from Gloucestershire, was rebuilt in 1938.
- The Dell: a valley with a pinetum of American and Asian conifers, and the family mausoleum known as the Poem.
- Collections: National Collections of magnolia, embothrium, eucryphia and Rhododendron forrestii.
Planning your visit
Bodnant is off the A470, signposted from junction 19 of the A55. Parking is free, with around 20 disabled spaces near the entrance. The nearest station is Llandudno Junction, and the number 25 bus from Llandudno stops at the gate. There is the Pavilion tea-room, the Magnolia Café, a kiosk in the Dell at winter weekends, a shop, plant shop and second-hand bookshop. Paths include steps and steep sections, but an access map shows step-free routes, and wheelchairs can be borrowed on arrival.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit Bodnant Garden?
From 1 March 2026, adult tickets are £20.90 with Gift Aid or £19 without, and children aged 5 to 17 pay £10.50 or £9.50. A family ticket is £52.30 with Gift Aid. Under 5s and National Trust members go free, and parking is free.
Can I bring my dog to Bodnant Garden?
Yes, on a short lead that is not extendable. Dogs are welcome every day from 1 October to 31 March, and Thursday to Sunday from 1 April to 30 September.
When does the Laburnum Arch flower?
The Laburnum Arch is usually in flower in May and June.
Is Bodnant Garden accessible?
Many steps and some steep paths are avoidable. The 1.5km Rose Walk route sees the formal gardens without steps, manual wheelchairs and an all-terrain trike are available, and there are around 20 disabled parking spaces.