yorkiestyles: Exploring

Showing posts with label Exploring. Show all posts

Exploring...Alexandra Gardens, Penarth

Wrapped up from the cold, full from breakfast at Ocho Lounge and camera in hand we took a stroll through Alexandra Gardens in Penarth, making our way from the town centre to the seafront.

The edwardian park was opened in the early 1900's and features a war memorial, topiary displays (look out for the two large birds at the town centre entrance), obelisk, ornamental pond and an aviary. Plenty to stop and look at on the uphill return walk!

Exploring.....Roath Park Conservatory, Cardiff

A hidden gem..........this weekend we discovered the lovely glasshouse at Roath Park. Located at the far northern point past the beautiful lake, amidst the botanical gardens full of rose beds, winding river with victorian bridges and mature trees with leaves turning autumnal oranges and reds.

The glass houses were first constructed in the early 1900's then replaced by the present conservatory in 1974. The warm humid conservatory is perfect for temperate and sub-tropical plants including banana trees, Panama oranges, pomegranates, ferns, orchids, Madagascar dragon tree which fill the glasshouse wherever you glance.

The focal point is a large pond with waterfall, providing a home to terrapins, huge fish and two wishing ducks. A pathway meanders around the pond and round through the tall banana and palm trees.

At £2 per adult to go in it's well worth the money. A small shop selling a plants, duck food and a few gifts forms the entrance.

Rose garden

Autumn colours

Maples

Love the autumn colours

More about the conservatory & botanical gardens:

History of Roath's botanical Gardens

http://www.roathcardiff.net/2014/02/27/roaths-botanical-garden/

Visiting Roath Park

http://southwalesgardens.org/roath-park

Exploring......Castle Coch, Cardiff

Standing prominent amongst dense woodland on the steep hillside high above Tongwynlais village, the fairy tale Castle Coch castle can be found.

Castle Coch translates to English as “Red Castle”, and it’s definitely shown in the red wooden features. It’s somewhat of a mix match towers, with hidden doors, tiny steep stair cases, beautiful stained class windows and elaborate walls and ceilings.

courtyard

Spectacular views across the countryside from the top windows

Ornate ceilings

Colourful tiles…look hard and see owl faces?!

Dressing table

The tea rooms were unfortunately closed but there was a little shop, free parking and toilets. Be prepared for lots of narrow steep steps!. £5.50 for an adult to go inside, which included an electronic guide (May 2014).

For my first visit to a South Wales Castle (and I'm not big on them in general), the 19^th Century Gothic castle was a good place to wile a few hours away....

Beautiful woodland with a dense Wild Garlic carpet surround the castle on the steep slopes. Some boards showing walks around the woodland would be a great addition.

Exploring……Living Rainforest, Berkshire

A handy midway point between Bristol and London, the Living Rainforest is conveniently located just off the M4 Newbury junction. I'd seen the signpost many a time but never been to investigate until now....

A tropical rainforest in large glasshouses it's full of beautiful tropical plants with butterflies fluttering, birds roaming and a sloth (too elusive for us to spot!).