Spring Coach Trip Report

SPRING TRIP TO PICTON CASTLE AND GARDENS

Our first trip of the year on Sunday 13th April saw us heading off to Picton Castle and Gardens in Haverfordwest on a lovely sunny day. Nearly 700 years old, the medieval castle was transformed into a sumptuous Georgian home in the mid 18th century, and is a stately home on a human scale. The original collection of art and antiques collected by the Philipps family over hundreds of years is still here for the public to enjoy. The castle remained in the family until 1987 when the Picton Castle Trust was created gifting the castle, its collection and gardens to the benefit of the people of Wales. The trust has been charged with preserving and restoring this important part of Welsh heritage and ensuring it remains open and accessible to the public.

We explored the principal state rooms, the kitchens and the medieval under croft which has a magnificent vaulted ceiling, and visited the toy and weaving museums, together with the Lumsden collection of antique and vintage lawnmowers, with 85 exhibits dating from the early part of the 19th century to more recent times. This collection is considered to be one of the finest in the world. 

The 50 acres of gardens are made up of a mix of formal and informal gardens, lawns and woodlands. The spectacular rhododendrons and camellias were in full bloom  and the rare tree collections were magnificent. Wildlife in the garden is abundant with rare bats, bumble-bees, moths, squirrels, hedgehogs, frogs, toads and dragonflies.  The Walled Garden was beautiful and is an achievement by the gardening staff, with an informative area for plants that have medicinal elements, many borders and areas of interest, and is beautifully maintained. There is an exotic Jungle Garden, Tree Ferns, a Myrtle Walk, and little hidden areas to explore, with plenty of seats to relax on and enjoy the surrounding scenery.

A great day out was enjoyed by all and many thanks to everyone who joined us on this trip, and to Pencoed Travel and our driver Dave in particular, who always looks after us!

We are jetting off again this summer to Bowood House and in September, after the success of last year we’ll be enjoying the wares of Malvern Autumn Show. Spaces available now - members and non members welcome! 

Join our friends at Llantwit Major in Bloom on their upcoming coach trip! 🚌 

📅 Thursday June 19th 9.30am - 7pm 
🌊 🍻 Swansea Marina boat trip on the Copper Jack & Penderyn Distillery 
💴 £37.00 per person 

Interested? Let us know and we can pass your details on 🥳