Clyne Gardens

Ah, Clyne Gardens. I lived literally seconds away from here and it's only really now, as a 23 year old living in London, that I realise how lucky I was to be a stroll away from these glorious gardens.


Official blurb: Internationally famous for its surperb collections of Rhododendrons, Pieris and Enkianthus, the gardens offer a haven of tranquility, lush planting and interesting features.


Our specialist parks are truly magnificent, blooming with rare species, national collections and famous annual displays. The prestigious parks with green flag status are a sanctuary for people from the hustle and bustle of city life. The gardens are truly spectacular all year round.


William Graham Vivian (the dude my gran's street is named after) - the millionaire of Clyne - purchased 'Clyne Castle' in 1860 and lavished time and money on it to reflect his wealth. He sponsored plant collecting expeditions overseas, and many of Clyne's rhododendrons still bear their original collector's numbers. The Admiral's influence can also be seen in the landscaping, which includes a Japanese Bridge, the Admiral's Tower and the Gazebo.


The Admiral received many famous visitors at the Castle, including the Price of Wales (later King Edward VIII), Neville Chamberlain, Stanley Baldwin and Adelina Patti.


The oak woodland is a remnant of Clyne Forest, an important 11th Century Norman landmark.


The tallest recorded Magnolia in Britain 'Magnolia campbellii var. alba' can be found here.


Many of the Admiral's hybrids can be seen growing in the gardens. He named some of them after his family; Rh,Graham Vivian, Rh, Dulcie Vivian, Singleton Blue and Clyne Castle.


That doesn't make it sound as good as it is.


Here are some reasons why it's truly awesome:


- it can feel like you're in Jurassic Park
- there's a little castle tower in the middle of a clearing so you can go and pretend to be a princess
- there are secret gardens
- in one of the secret gardens there is a hill and a wall of bamboo. This was an amazing place to play 'devils & angels' and 'throw yourself into the bamboo'


An absolutely awesome place to trudge around being a sulky teenager, smoking cigarettes.


An absolutely awesome place to appreciate the intricacies and beauty of life in all its splendid forms.


A crackerjack of a place to go running. Or do anything that involves moving about.

Well I can't add much to that last review except to agree that it is a lovely, peaceful place to visit, not far from the town and also close to the coast. Certainly lovely flowers and trees to see all year round.

Swansea is blessed with some beautiful parks and this is one of the best. It was my mother's favourite and her ashes are scattered there. i have many fond memories of finding the chinese bridge and the castle look out tower, it's not a swings kind of a park but as I child I didn't mind that there were too many magical things to find. Lots of people have their wedding photographs taken in the park and you can see why, fantastic views of the sea and some lovely flora and fauna.

Beautiful park and my mothers ashes are also there. A beautiful place to just sit and chill. Lots of good birdlife and stunning plants and shrubs.