The Walled Garden at Penllergare Valley Woods is a place of incredible transformation. As our major Victorian Garden Restoration Project nears completion ahead of our grand public opening next Spring, every detail is being meticulously crafted to honour our rich horticultural heritage.

Central to this restoration is our spectacular Rose Garden, which aims to be one of the largest in Wales, featuring over 600 roses.

To ensure these beautiful blooms thrive for generations to come, we were thrilled to welcome back two top experts from the world-renowned David Austin Roses this week: Rose Consultant Joseph Sturrock-Spencer and Advisor Katie Godfrey.

A Heritage Partnership

This marks Joseph’s fifth time advising at Penllergare, having been heavily involved in the original design of our Rose Garden from the very beginning. He brings a unique depth of knowledge to our estate, having begun his journey in the breeding department at David Austin, where he worked closely under the guidance of the legendary founder, David C.H. Austin.

He was joined by Katie Godfrey, who brings over twenty years of practical experience with English roses.

Masterclass in the Walled Garden

Jospeh and Katie hosted an intensive, three-hour masterclass tutorial for six of our dedicated estate gardeners. The hands-on session featured demonstrations and an invaluable Q&A, ensuring our team is equipped with the industry’s absolute best knowledge. Our team left the session inspired and ready to make our displays more breath-taking than ever.

From the 19th-century influence of the historic Hooker family plant collections to our ongoing partnership with David Austin Roses, Penllergare continues to be a haven for world-class horticulture.

Join Our Gardening Team!

Our Walled Garden is a labour of love for our staff and amazing volunteers. If you would like to be a part of this historic journey as we gear up for our Spring opening, why not join us?

We are actively developing incredible collections of Roses, Dahlias, Heritage Daffodils, Alpines, and more. No prior gardening experience is require, just enthusiasm! You’ll enjoy a friendly social atmosphere, a boost to your wellbeing, and of course, free refreshments!

Email us at [email protected] or call us on 01792 344224.