Tension is mounting. Bodnant Garden is about to hit a landmark 200,000 visitors through the famous wrought-iron gates, any day now. If you’re visiting over the next few days, it could be you!
As the garden radiates with autumn colour this mid October, we’re all set to reach this milestone for the first time in our 140-year history – months ahead of target. All eyes will be on the ticket office for the coming days as garden staff and volunteers prepare to greet the 200,000th visitor with bubbly, cake and a rousing welcome.
Ready with balloons are events officer Charlie Stretton, property manager William Greenwood and property administrator Rose James
Our property manager William Greenwood says: “We never thought this would happen this year; one day yes, but not yet!
“It’s terribly exciting for all of us that so many of our visitors love coming here so much that we’re going to welcome the 200,000th any day now. It’s an amazing compliment to all our staff and volunteers and the dedication they’ve shown in helping make this the great garden that it is.”
Bodnant Garden was founded in 1874 by Victorian industrial chemist and entrepreneur Henry Pochin (seen right). It has since been developed by five generations of his family, in conjunction with the National Trust since 1949.
The garden has attracted around 180,000 visitors per year for some years – regularly welcoming around 50,000 in May alone who flock to see the famous Laburnum Arch, the UK’s oldest and longest pergola walkway.
Visitor numbers have been steadily rising since 2013 with the opening of new areas – the Winter Garden, Old Park meadow, Yew Dell and Far End lakeside garden.
William says: “Bodnant has always been a great garden, a horticultural gem, but we’ve now got so much more to offer visitors, with all-year opening, new areas to explore and a growing events programme for all tastes whether it’s holidaying families, weekend dog walkers and the serious garden lovers.
“We’re seeing new visitors coming – locally and from further afield – and they’re coming back time and again at different times of year. We aim to build on this loyalty in coming years, with more new areas opening and garden plans in the pipeline.”
Celebrating the opening of The Far End in March, garden manager Michael McLaren, with wife Caroline and garden broadcaster Christine Walkden
Michael McLaren, garden manager and descendant of the donor family, said: “I am delighted that this month Bodnant will be welcoming its 200,000th visitor – the first time ever that we have had more than 200,000 visitors in one year.
“My grandfather, Henry 2nd Lord Aberconway, who gave the garden to the National Trust in 1949 and who more than anyone else was responsible for the creation of the garden, loved seeing visitors appreciating the beauty of the garden and learning about horticulture and garden design.
“He too would have been thrilled to see this record broken…and with the prospect of further milestones being passed before the end of the year.
“Huge thanks from me and all the donor family to the staff and volunteers who have made this great achievement possible, and particularly to the gardeners for ensuring that the garden looks better than ever.”
So if you’re visiting in the next few days who knows…look out for gardeners bearing balloons!
For more details about Bodnant Garden call 01492 650460, check out our website nationaltrust.org.uk/bodnant-garden or catch up with us on Facebook or Twitter.
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