Beautiful Mid Wales gardens to explore

Whether you're planning a holiday or a day trip, these incredible landscaped gardens provide the perfect escape into nature.

Head to the Grade I listed gardens in the grounds of Powis Castle and Garden, for a day exploring 17th century Italianate terraces, an Edwardian formal garden, and a peaceful wooded landscape. Parts of the tastefully designed gardens are over 300 years old, and are filled with seasonal colours and plants all year round. It's great for families too - pick up a 'Trail in a Bag' guide to follow a fun route to discover all the hidden secrets. Visit in springtime to enjoy carpets of native daffodils, stunning blossom-filled trees and ancient wisteria filling the gardens with scent and colour.

Well-behaved dogs on leads are allowed in the gardens between 1 November and 28 February. Some parts of the garden are accessible with step-free access and ramps. The Powis Castle and Garden accessibility guide has more information.

Located just outside Newtown, Cwm Weeg Gardens offers a magical experience within its three acres of landscaped gardens. Featuring sculptures, fountains, grottos, a moss garden, and a dingle, the gardens are surrounded by 21 acres of wildflower meadows and ancient bluebell woodland. They are very wildlife friendly too - with several bat colonies around the site, and a pond full of newts, dragonflies and frogs.

Visitors can also explore the 15th-century farmhouse and enjoy guided tours. Most of the gardens are accessible for wheelchairs/pushchairs over gravel paths. There are accessible toilets and plenty of benches dotted around. The gardens are open to the public on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from May to October. Group bookings and tours can be arranged outside of normal opening hours.

Gregynog Hall and Gardens is an historic estate set in 750 acres of grounds, including Grade I listed formal gardens. The estate is a National Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest, offering a mixture of formal and woodland walks, and even a green gym. The gardens are renowned for their artistic harmony with natural surroundings, and are home to rare lichens, insects, and bird-life. Head over there in spring to see the magnificent azaleas and rhododendrons in bloom, and in autumn to see the colourful leaves.

Dogs are welcome in the grounds and café. Some of the walks are level, but best to check beforehand if you have specific requirements.

Located on the border between Herefordshire and Powys, Hergest Croft Gardens spans 70 acres and is known for its national collections of Maples, Birches, and Zelkovas. The gardens are divided into six main areas, including the Azalea Garden, Maple Grove, Kitchen Garden, Park, and Park Wood. Visitors can enjoy spectacular spring and autumn colours, rare trees, and shrubs. The gardens also feature a tearoom offering homemade light lunches, and a gift shop.

Dogs are welcome in the grounds and tea room. There are level routes around Hergest Croft and the Kitchen Garden. More information about accessibility is available on the Hergest Croft Gardens website.

Although Welsh Lavender's farm, shop and café are open all year round, the best time to visit is July and August. The lavender fields will be in full flower, so immerse yourselves in the sights and smells of this amazing herb. The lavender is used to make sustainable body care products - you can try and buy these in the gift shop. Grab a map and a picnic, and enjoy a self-guided tour of the fields, gardens and lavender essential oil distillery. You can also stay overnight here in the Pantechnicon, and enjoy stargazing in the Dark Skies on the farm.

Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome. Contact the farm direct for accessibility information.

Nestled in the heart of the Ceredigion countryside, Bwlch Y Geuffordd Gardens is a constantly evolving wildlife and water garden spread over three acres. It was a private garden until 2002, when the passionate, hardworking owners opened it for just two days as part of the National Gardens Scheme. It was so popular, they decided to open to visitors year round. All the proceeds go to the National Garden Scheme.

Visitors can explore many sub-gardens, ranging from Oriental to Mediterranean styles, and enjoy features including a cave, temple, gazebo, jungle hut, treehouse, and willow den. The garden is designed to be peaceful, inspiring, and full of surprises, making it a perfect day out for families and inspirational for garden enthusiasts. The gardens are designed to be a wildlife haven, so keep your eyes peeled for birds, insects and even the occasional otter or pine marten.

Dogs are not allowed on site. There is a shorter route which is easier to get round the gardens. Contact the owners direct with any queries about accessibility.

Cae Hir Gardens, a Welsh garden with a Dutch history, is located in the foothills of the Cambrian Mountains. The five-acre garden blends the wild with the cultivated, offering a unique and relaxing experience. It's super family-friendly, with plenty of space for kids to explore and run about. Wildlife is encouraged to live here, with many eco-friendly features including a Wild Garden. Y Sied tea room provides delicious home-made cakes, cream teas and soup. The on-site nursery sells plants propagated from the gardens.

Due to the mountainside location, the gardens have limited accessible pathways. Check out their visitor information pages for more details. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome, and there are dog waste bins and water available on site.