Clyne Gardens is a

botanical garden A botanical garden or botanic gardenThe terms ''botanic'' and ''botanical'' and ''garden'' or ''gardens'' are used more-or-less interchangeably, although the word ''botanic'' is generally reserved for the earlier, more traditional gardens, an ...

located in Swansea,

Wales Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the Bristol Channel to the south. It had a population in ...

, UK. The current park was formed from the landscaped gardens created by Glynn Vivian of the Vivian family who purchased

Clyne Castle Clyne Castle is a Grade II*-listed building situated on a hill overlooking Swansea Bay, adjacent to the Clyne valley, near Blackpill, Swansea. Originally built in 1791 by a wealthy landowner it passed into the hands of the Vivian family and saw m ...

in 1860. The estate passed to his nephew Algernon, 'The Admiral' in 1921 who owned it until his death in 1952. He had the greatest influence on the gardens as we see them today. Clyne Gardens is bordered by Mumbles road and Mayals road in Blackpill and

Mayals Mayals is an electoral ward and suburb of Swansea, Wales. It is located about 6 kilometers west of Swansea City Centre. Mayals is considered a part of the larger district of Mumbles, along with the nine other settlements within the community co ...

areas of Swansea with entrances off both these roads.

Attractions

The gardens consist of 19

hectare The hectare (; SI symbol: ha) is a non-SI metric unit of area equal to a square with 100- metre sides (1 hm2), or 10,000 m2, and is primarily used in the measurement of land. There are 100 hectares in one square kilometre. An acre is ...

s of land and include over 2,000 different plants including over 800 rhododendrons for which the gardens are renowned. Clyne holds National Collections of Pieris, Enkianthus and Rhododendrons. Due to the cool, wet and temperate local climate many plants thrive here not normally considered hardy for its latitude. The gardens have extensive bog gardens, home to giant Elephant Rhubarb Gunnera manicata and American skunk cabbage. The gazebo to the right of the castle was built by the Admiral to view the incoming ships as they entered Swansea Bay. The gazebo surrounded by a stand of Monterey Pine 'Pinus radiata'. These trees have retained their lower branches which filter the prevailing winds and give greater cover (protection) to the area. A Japanese garden at the top of the gardens holds a red and white painted bridge, many bamboo and an artificial lake with waterfall passing underneath the bridge. The water which rises in Clyne Common, travels under the Japanese Bridge and through the Gardens to join the sea at Blackpill. Alongside the Bridge is a fine specimen of the Handkerchief Tree 'Davidia Involucrata var. vilmoriniana'. The park is scattered with small dogs graves to commemorate the Admiral's family pets. Joy Cottage at the seafront entrance was built as a miniature cottage for the relaxation and education of the Admiral's daughters by nannies employed to teach reading, writing and cookery. Clyne Chapel built by William Graham Vivian, was opened for worship in 1908. Beneath it, in a private vault, Graham Vivian, his sister Dulcie and the Admiral are buried.

Notable trees

The tallest recorded Magnolia in

Britain Britain most often refers to: * The United Kingdom, a sovereign state in Europe comprising the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland and many smaller islands * Great Britain, the largest island in the United King ...

' Magnolia campbellii var. alba' can be found here. The Oak woodland is a remnant of Clyne

Forest A forest is an area of land dominated by trees. Hundreds of definitions of forest are used throughout the world, incorporating factors such as tree density, tree height, land use, legal standing, and ecological function. The United Nations' ...

, an important Norman 11th century historical land feature. Glynn Vivian planted three notable trees still alive in front of the castle - one Wellingtonia '

Sequoiadendron giganteum ''Sequoiadendron giganteum'' (giant sequoia; also known as giant redwood, Sierra redwood, Sierran redwood, California big tree, Wellingtonia or simply big treea nickname also used by John Muir) is the sole living species in the genus '' Sequoiad ...

' and two Monterey Cypress ' Cupressus macrocarpa', one a fastigiate form which is also one of the tallest recorded in Britain.

External links

Clyne Gardens (owners` site)

BBC: Clyne Gardens

The garden Landscape Guide: Clyne Gardens

Visit Wales: Clyne Gardens

www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Clyne Gardens
{{coord, 51.5959, -4.0032, type:landmark_region:GB, display=title Botanical gardens in Wales Gardens in Wales Tourist attractions in Swansea Parks in Swansea Swansea Bay Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales

Attractions

Notable trees

See also

External links