Veddw House Garden

John Kingdon

Garden visiting is a very subjective process. A garden is or is not to your taste. Although I'm not a fan of show gardens at Chelsea etc., the judging process is, perhaps, relevant to the appreciation of gardens generally. A major factor in awarding medals at Chelsea is how well the garden has met the design brief. Any garden open to the public (including the NGS) will have some sort of design brief - in the case of the NGS this will be the owner's description in the Yellow Book. When you visit, you have to judge whether the garden meets that description. If it does, then great.

Veddw House Garden is heavily documented both online and in print. Its makers, Anne Wareham and Charles Hawes are well known garden critic and photographer respectively. I doubt anyone who has researched the garden before visiting it would venture to suggest it was not as expected. Anyone who visits a garden without some, at least minimal, advance research is "going to look at the flowers" rather than appreciate the garden for what it is.

There is no tea and cake at Veddw. This is plainly stated on the garden's web site. And long may that remain. Running a teahouse operation requires high visitor numbers to make it commercially viable. Veddw is an intimate garden. It would be ruined by high visitor numbers. If you want tea and cake, there's a pub just down the road.

You can whip round Veddw in half an hour. Or you can experience the garden. It's your choice. I find that even after several visits, it takes nearly an hour to "experience". I want more than pretty flowers, thanks. At Veddw I get more.

Google's quick questions about a location include "is there disabled access". This garden is multi-level. There are steps but it is usually possible to get somewhere using an alternative route avoiding those steps. But there are some fairly steep slopes which would make getting around in a wheelchair difficult unless the "pusher" is strong. Paths are generally wide enough to cater for a wheelchair and the garden owners are always ready to help with transporting someone from the car park to a lower (private) entrance. Best approach is to contact them in advance of a visit to discuss any special requirements. They will bend over backwards to help.

WALTRAUD Englefield

The garden that stops you in your tracks. Amazing structural hedges mirroring the landscape and wildlife friendly and relaxed planting. Well worth taking it all in slowly.

Gordon Plant

A unique combination of sculptural topiary and carefully chosen flowers. No matter how many gardens you've seen, Veddw House Garden is well worth a visit.

Fin Ster

We were here today, and thoroughly enjoyed it as a family. What a treasure of a place, owned and run by thoughtful people. It was an honour to have been able to share in their garden, my only wish is that we had been able to thank them on our way out

Celia Bryan

I have visited Veddw garden several times in the last few years. What a gem! I am so grateful that the owners, in return for a modest entrance fee to help with the upkeep of the garden, are willing to share it with others. The garden is like a secret, lost world; through a small gate you enter a little haven, tumbling down the valley, sitting perfectly in the surrounding landscape. The garden design reflects the history of the place with enchanting references to the place name....something to ponder on as you walk around. The beautifully chaotic planting blends with the surrounding countryside perfectly. The superb, modernistic pond with its wave of hedges and the back drop of the surrounding woodland is inspirational. The owner's home, which has thankfully not been ostentatiously extended like so many of the rural Monmouthshire cottages, sits unassumingly in the middle of the garden.
I cannot recommend a visit more highly. Combined with tea at the Old Station at Tintern (wonderful cakes!)and a gentle walk in the meadows by the river Wye, it makes a perfect summer's day out.
My only regret is that they are only open for the summer months - I would love to visit in the autumn and winter. However, I quite understand them not wanting to have 'Joe Public' all through the year!

Vicky F

Small car park, the view of the garden as you enter is breath taking. Then you should head down to the house to pay your entrance fee and get a map to see the rest of the garden. Worth a visit but a little pricey.

Simon Walter

Lovely secluded garden, well worth a visit.