Stunning private gardens to welcome visitors in support of new charity garden at University Hospital Llandough
The gorgeous Grade II listed Llanover Garden, originally created in the late 19th century, will be opening on Saturday 25th June from 12pm – 5pm to raise money for Horatio’s Garden Wales, a beautiful and inspirational new project opening at University Hospital Llandough in May 2022.
Nestled in the South Wales countryside, the 18-acre Llanover Garden is set within stunning parkland and features a walled Round Garden, two arboreta and extensive herbaceous borders and lawns. The Ryhd-y-Meirch stream flows the entire length of the garden, tumbling into ponds, over cascades and beneath flagstone bridges.
The garden was initially brought to life by Benjamin Waddington, the great-great-great-great grandfather of the present owner, Elizabeth Murray. Llanover House was the birthplace of Benjamin’s wife, Augusta, with the breathtaking gardens continually developed by six generations of the family since then. As well as admiring the magnificent London Plane trees planted over 200 years ago, visitors will be able to appreciate the unusual trees and shrubs planted between 1960 and 1999 by Elizabeth’s father, Robin Herbert CBE VMH, a former President of the Royal Horticultural Society.
Delicious cream teas will also be available for visitors to purchase as an afternoon treat; one best enjoyed in the fresh summer air!
Whilst the day will be an exclusive opportunity to explore these enchanting, historic, rarely opened private gardens, it will also be a chance for everyone to support the beautiful, new, fully accessible Horatio’s Garden Wales.
Designed by two-time RHS Chelsea Gold Medal winner Sarah Price, the Horatio’s Garden at The Welsh Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Centre in University Hospital Llandough will lend vital support to patients and their loved ones as they adjust to life-changing spinal injuries, as well as to the NHS staff who care for them.
Horatio’s Garden Wales is the charity’s sixth project. The charity was established back in 2012 in memory of Horatio Chapple, who came up with the initial idea to create a garden in the spinal centre in Salisbury whilst volunteering there during his school holidays.
Tragically, Horatio lost his life aged 17, but there followed an outpouring of love and goodwill and the first Horatio’s Garden was created. Since then, his parents, Olivia and David, have spent the past 10 years continuing Horatio’s work, which has become a thriving legacy. Fundraising has just begun for the charity’s seventh garden in Northern Ireland and Horatio’s Garden intends to plant hope in all 11 NHS spinal injury centres throughout the UK.
Funded entirely by donations, Horatio’s Garden Wales will be cared for by a team of volunteers, who will be led by a Head Gardener. The charity also run horticultural therapy sessions, creative workshops, live music performances and seasonal events throughout the year to help people with their physical and psychological rehabilitation.
To book your visit to Llanover Garden in aid of Horatio’s Garden, please visit www.horatiosgarden.org.uk/llanovergarden or alternatively ring the charity’s office on 01722 326834.
Tickets cost £7.
Feature image: The Grade II listed Llanover Garden, originally created by Lord and Lady Llanover in the c.19th and since developed by six generations of the family, including present owner, Elizabeth Murray (Credit: Alex Ramsay, Llanover Garden)
