On the drive back from our recent holiday to Bluestone, we decided to make a stop at the Welsh National Botanic Garden. It was my birthday after all, so I got to call the shots!
On wondering in, Boo was immediately won over by the huge water feature that they have…
And the little flowers dotted about…
Our eyes were drawn to the lake…
And then it was a case of wandering up the pathway to discover different sections of the gardens, whilst enjoying the surroundings…
We then entered the walled garden area, which I absolutely loved…
Through to a huge open expanse, for running in, obviously!
Then after a quick lunch stop (which was really nice, BTW, and included cheesecake), with Little Man roaming free, we continued on and found these areas…
And then we were off to the dome!
They had various climates and plants in here, so I meandered from California, through Western Australia to the Mediterranean. Busy day for me!
And then back out of the dome, Little Man and Boo reversed roles for a bit…
Then we walked back to the car, found a second hand book area near the exit where I may have spent a little birthday cash, and left a little more refreshed and a little more relaxed. Until the traffic jams – oh well, we had the gardens 🙂
Have you visited?
I love Botanical Gardens – we visited the one in Cambridge earlier in the year. Such lovely images!
Thanks very much 🙂
what a beautiful way to spend the day. looks nice and sunny. and happy belated birthday Jocelyn!
It was a lovely warm day – perfect! Thanks 🙂
That dome looks amazing! Sounds like a lovely way to round off your trip, traffic jams aside 🙂
It was the perfect ending, and I tried to mentally drift back there when I was stuck in traffic!
Wow – it looks awesome, but what really struck me is how much more children seem to appreciate these things than us! That picture of your daughter running in the big open space made me remember that feeling of youth and energy and freedom!!
Oh yes, she always makes the most of it, and you take her anywhere and she can turn it into a adventure – a running adventure, of course!
What a wonderful looking day out! Some of your plant shots are fascinating and the open spaces are breathtaking – I really miss days out like these now my eldest ones are big enough to complain!
Ah, mine just run about happily! It was lovely there.
Beautiful photos. Like I mentioned on twitter, we had the most amazing day there. It’s almost magical … tucked away but so huge. Lots of people but so peaceful. I definitely want to go back.
Yes, it does feel magical – a secret garden!
All the best lunches involve cheesecake – Fact!
Glorious blue skies, bright blooms and plenty of room to roam – looks like you all enjoyed it! How did you get on at BlueStone? I keep hearing good things about them?
Thanks for joining in pixiepants x
That is a fact, you are right! It was a gorgeous day out, and Bluestone was fabulous – blogging about it this very weekend, so keep your eye out for it!
Thanks for hosting x
Looks like an amazing place to run free in a riot of plants – glorious day for it too. Visiting YOUR residence via Annie.
It was glorious and I loved every minute of it. Thanks for popping by from your residence!
Have been to Wales more times than I can count but never been here. I love botanical gardens so will add this to my list of places to visit next time we are there. Looks like a lot of fun was had.
Oh, yes, you should – a beautiful place!
This looks amazing Jocelyn… Just wow!
So very beautiful there. Loved it!
That water feature is really impressive and the views of the lake are idyllic! Beautiful plants, sunshine and cheesecake, what more could you want from a day out? 🙂
Nothing at all – just perfect!
Husband thought that this is in the eden project (he is hovering around me while im commenting) and when I said its in Wales he said its pretty and its near we can go! Yey! Of course not tomorrow but in the future this will be in our list of places tho visit. Thanks for sharing your trip =) #hdygg
Oh yes, do go – you would love it there x
wow! What a gorgeous day. I had no idea there was a dome like this in Wales, I thought it was only the Eden Project …That’s a trip we’ll have to make 🙂
It certainly gets a bit sticky with all of those climates! …Not a trip you want to be carrying a lot of stuff with you!
#CountryKids #HDYGG
It was such a fabulous place to visit, so calm and beautiful 🙂
So beautiful x
Thank you x
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WOW I love the look of the dome! Domes always remind me of the BioDome movie that we used to love as teenagers. Looks like a beautiful day out.
It was a gorgeous day out, so much to see and enjoy 🙂
Beautiful photos and looks like you had a lovely day out 🙂
You know we very nearly stopped here last Saturday,on our way back from Pembrokeshire! We ended up pressing on to the Brecons instead. Looks gorgeous- next time will have to visit. Beautiful photos as always!
Oh yes, stop there next time! A beautiful place 🙂
A beautiful Summer’s day spent with your family at a beautiful location – what a lovely birthday treat. The come reminds me of the ones we have here at The Eden Project – really stunning. Thanks for linking up and sharing with Country Kids.
It was beautiful there. Thanks, Fiona x
That looks like a great place to explore, not somewhere I’ve heard of either #CountryKids
No, I hadn’t, Mary. We literally drove past it, so I wanted to go!
wow it looks gorgeous there, stunning photos and what a glorious day you had for it weather wise. Love the photos of Boo running about and in one shot in particular Little Man is looking so grown up, it’s amazing how they suddenly start to look more like boys rather than babies isn’t it? Sounds like a lovely dau and a very lovely way to spend your Birthday! xx
He is a proper little toddler now, not at all a baby. Not sure when that happened! It was a lovely day, thank you 🙂
Ah what a beautiful day! This is why I love blogging, you’ll be able to remember that trip forever now! 🙂 #countrykids
Absolutely – all preserved in this post for us 🙂
what an amazing looking place
It was amazing 🙂
Beautiful garden. Love the different areas.Great to see the children enjoying it too. Running around. #CountryKids
It was beautiful. Ah, the kids like to make the most of any running space!
This looks like a wonderful day out. Beautiful pictures x #HDYGG
It was gorgeous there, Kirsty 🙂
I love botanical gardens, we lived very close to the botanics in Edinburgh and I spent a lot of time there 🙂 These looks like a fabulous gardens x #CountryKids
It was just so beautiful and peaceful. Want to go back!