A Garden in Snowdonia episode 1

A Garden in Snowdonia episode 1: Nestled in the heart of Snowdonia, Bodnant Garden stands as one of Britain’s most enchanting landscapes — a masterpiece of nature, art, and human devotion. This breathtaking estate, cradled in the hills of north Wales, has inspired gardeners and dreamers alike for over a century. Yet even paradise can fade without care. Visitor numbers have declined, and the once-thriving pathways of this National Trust property have grown quieter. But change is in the air.

In A Garden in Snowdonia: Bodnant Rising, we witness a story of renewal and rediscovery. It is the tale of a garden that refuses to fade into the past — a place determined to bloom brighter than ever. Head gardener Troy Scott Smith and garden manager Michael McLaren have embarked on an ambitious mission to transform Bodnant into one of the top ten gardens in the world. With a staggering £2 million investment, they are not merely tending to flowers and lawns; they are restoring a living work of art.

Gardening at this scale is no simple task. Every path, pond, and planting bed carries a story, and each decision shapes the legacy of those who came before. Troy Scott Smith, known for his passion and poetic approach to horticulture, sees the project as a chance to breathe new life into the estate. His vision extends far beyond maintenance — it’s about reimagining the relationship between people and landscape. As he often says, “A garden is never finished; it is always becoming.”

Michael McLaren, the estate’s manager, shares this dream. Together, they balance creativity with stewardship, artistry with responsibility. Under their watch, Bodnant Garden is evolving into a haven that celebrates both tradition and innovation. Paths once lost to overgrowth are being reopened, borders redesigned, and forgotten corners restored to glory. Visitors who return will find familiar vistas glowing with new energy, while fresh plantings hint at a bold, modern future.

The transformation goes beyond aesthetics. The team of gardeners, landscapers, and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure sustainability remains at the heart of every change. Water systems are being modernized, habitats protected, and native species encouraged to thrive. In an era when environmental awareness is more vital than ever, Bodnant’s renewal becomes not only a gardening project but a statement — a reminder that beauty and responsibility can grow side by side.

A Garden in Snowdonia episode 1

As seasons pass, the landscape itself becomes a living narrative. Spring unfurls like a painter’s dream, with daffodils spilling across the meadows and magnolias bursting into bloom. By summer, the air hums with life — bees dance among the roses, and the reflective pools shimmer beneath a golden Welsh sun. Autumn arrives in a blaze of amber and crimson, while winter cloaks the garden in serene silence, revealing the structure and soul beneath the foliage. Each phase reveals the gardeners’ devotion — patient, steady, and profoundly human.

What makes A Garden in Snowdonia so compelling is its emotional honesty. It’s not merely about plants or landscaping — it’s about people. We see the camaraderie of the gardening team, the quiet triumphs, and the inevitable setbacks. A storm might undo weeks of work. A rare plant may struggle to adapt. Yet the resilience of these gardeners mirrors the spirit of the land itself. Through every challenge, they persist — pruning, planting, nurturing, always looking ahead to the next bloom.

Snowdonia’s dramatic backdrop amplifies the magic of Bodnant. Towering mountains frame sweeping valleys, creating a setting that feels almost mythic. The contrast between rugged wilderness and cultivated beauty makes the garden’s renewal all the more striking. Here, nature and nurture coexist in perfect dialogue. The gardeners don’t seek to dominate the landscape but to converse with it — listening to the rhythms of the earth, responding with thoughtful design and gentle hands.

Visitors will soon see Bodnant Garden not as a relic of the past, but as a living, breathing experience. The revitalization aims to rekindle wonder, to invite exploration, and to make every visit feel personal. Whether one strolls beneath the iconic laburnum arch in full golden bloom or pauses beside the tranquil lily ponds, there is a sense of connection — to history, to craft, and to the timeless art of gardening itself.

A Garden in Snowdonia episode 1 review

The story of A Garden in Snowdonia episode 1 begins at Bodnant Garden, a remarkable landscape standing on a dramatic hillside in North Wales. This estate overlooks the majestic mountains of Snowdonia. It is renowned among keen gardeners for its stunning collections of rhododendrons and azaleas. Furthermore, its famous features include a gorgeous laburnum arch and formal Italianate terraces. For most people, however, Bodnant Garden remains a well-kept secret. This beautiful setting has faced significant challenges in recent years.

Unfortunately, this hidden gem has seen visitor numbers decline. Much of the expansive garden has become overgrown. Consequently, the National Trust, which has managed Bodnant for six decades, recognized the urgent need for change. A comprehensive plan was developed to give Bodnant a much-needed makeover. This revitalization is essential for the garden’s survival and future prosperity.

The National Trust does not manage Bodnant alone. The Aberconway family, which originally donated the garden, still owns the adjacent Bodnant Hall. This creates a unique management structure. Family member Michael McLaren manages the garden on behalf of the trust. He brings a deep personal connection to the role. Michael is on a determined mission to elevate Bodnant’s status on the world stage.

This mission is both ambitious and clear. Michael McLaren is “completely determined” to raise the profile of Bodnant. He aims to attract many more visitors than the garden currently receives. His ultimate ambition is to see Bodnant listed among the top 10 gardens in the world. To achieve this, Michael appointed a new Head Gardener, Troy Scott Smith. Troy has been explicitly tasked to make Bodnant world-class and firmly put it on the map.

This new leadership team forms a dedicated trio. Michael’s mother, Lady Ann Aberconway, also provides crucial input. Her life has been intertwined with the garden for nearly 60 years. She admits she “couldn’t bear not to have input” and know what is happening. Together, this trio is embarking on an extensive £2 million improvement plan. The project detailed in A Garden in Snowdonia episode 1 chronicles the beginning of this transformation.

Over the next twelve months, Bodnant will see great change. This change will affect both how the garden looks and how it promotes itself. Work has already begun in several key areas. The story of this revitalization involves tackling historical legacies, confronting harsh criticism, and managing the immense pressure of new expectations. It is a pivotal year for this iconic piece of Welsh heritage.

The Weight of History and a Family’s Vision

The roots of Bodnant Garden run deep, woven into the fabric of a single family. When Bodnant Hall was first built in 1792, there was no garden. A hundred years later, the industrial chemist Henry Pochin purchased the property. In 1874, he began the landscape’s transformation. He planted the great conifers that create a spectacular woodland walk. Michael McLaren notes that Pochin even put a sign on a cedar dated 1874, though the tree was clearly older.

Pochin’s daughter, Laura, married the MP Charles McLaren and became the first Lady Aberconway. Laura was a talented artist and a keen gardener. Her original designs still provide inspiration for her great-grandson Michael and for Head Gardener Troy Scott Smith. While reviewing historical photos, Troy and Michael marvel at the past. They note the incredible amount of construction, all done with manual labor, long before the age of JCBs. Pictures from May 1905 show masons meticulously working along a wall.

This vision was also realized by three generations of the Puddle family. All served as head gardeners at Bodnant. Their legacy endures. For example, Michael and Troy discussed how Charles Puddle used to plant tulips with the roses. This provided color, a practice they are now reviving. This deep respect for the garden’s history informs the current team’s decisions.

Lady Ann Aberconway provides a living link to this legacy. She came to Bodnant as the new bride of the third Lord Aberconway, Charles McLaren. She recalls being a “townie” born in Paris and living in London and New York. Flowers were simply things one bought at a florist. She admits she “hadn’t a clue of the difference between a rose and a daffodil.” Dropped in at the deep end, she learned a great deal very quickly. She did this to please her husband and father-in-law. Now, she enjoys sharing the special and beautiful garden with the public.

Confronting Decline and Vocal Criticism

Despite its proud history, Bodnant Garden had “lost some of its gloss,” according to Troy Scott Smith. The garden had come in for some strong criticism from the outside. Its most vocal critic has been the Times gardening correspondent, Stephen Anderton. He did not mince words about the garden’s condition. Anderton stated that Bodnant has “needed a bomb under it for a long time.” He described the magnificent property as “dying on its feet.”

Anderton’s critique was specific. He called it an “old man’s garden.” He pointed to “scratty, moth-eaten old conifers” being kept for too long. In his view, big trees were getting so out of scale with what was wanted underneath them. As a result, the “kind of gardening underneath couldn’t survive properly.” This criticism highlighted a garden resting on its laurels. It was becoming over-mature and stagnant.

Michael McLaren took these harsh comments to heart. He particularly disputed the “old man’s garden” label. He felt it was an unfair criticism of his father, who died at age 89. However, Michael also showed a willingness to accept the core message. He stated that if Anderton meant areas of the garden are over-mature and need revitalizing, “I’d entirely agree with him.” This revitalization, Michael confirmed, is “exactly what Troy and I are now trying to do.”

The debate also touched on Bodnant’s unique management structure. Anderton expressed skepticism about the hereditary donor family’s role in a National Trust garden. Troy Scott Smith disagreed. He argued that they benefit from Michael’s direct management. Troy believes Michael’s family connection provides a passion that a visiting garden advisor would lack. Anderton dismissed passion as “bollocks,” insisting on a rational approach. Troy, however, defended their collective, knowledgeable decisions.

A Garden in Snowdonia: The Revitalization Plan

The £2 million improvement plan is the team’s direct answer to this stagnation. A key priority for Troy was addressing the “lack of summer colour.” One of the first transformations was the upper rose terrace. This area was changed from shabby-looking beds into a stunning display. It now features 34 varieties of roses. These flower from June all the way to September, providing a long season of interest.

Troy also introduced new, imaginative planting up on the terraces. He is particularly proud of a border planted just one year ago. He describes it as “quite a modern planting style.” This border uses lovely salvia coming through stipa grass. This creates a nice contrast of textures. The amethyst color of the flower is picked up in the grass as well. Troy feels that Bodnant, which was doing new things when first laid out, should not be afraid to do new things now.

This new vision required approval from the family. Troy first came up with the scheme and drew a planting plan. He then offered it to Michael and Lady Aberconway for review. They provided comments and suggestions. Lady Aberconway, in particular, was not sure about every plant. She asked to limit the use of some. When the border was in its first year, she had a lovely phrase for it. She said, “It looks like somebody’s hair hasn’t been combed.”

Beyond the planting, the team embarked on an ambitious new visitor centre. This project aims to replace the modest little ticket office. The new building is more in keeping with the garden’s grand character. Bodnant received European funding for the transformation. The construction proudly uses local materials, including Welsh stone and slate. Michael McLaren wants the new centre to have a “wow factor.” He believes it will set a welcoming tone for the whole visit. It will impress guests even before they see the famous view of the Carneddau mountains.

The Pressure of a Royal Visit

As the team managed these long-term projects, a new, immediate pressure arose. Dave Edwards, the operations manager, took a call confirming a visit from Prince Charles. This was exactly the high-profile publicity Bodnant needed to announce its revival. However, there was a major problem. The visit was scheduled in just 10 days. Dave noted that while Bodnant has had special visitors, “as far as a royal visit is concerned, this is new to us.”

The news sent the garden team into overdrive. There was a tremendous amount of work to be done. Every area of the garden had to be perfect. Truckloads of freshly prepared mulch were ordered and spread on the beds. An intense regimen of pruning, weeding, and clearing began. The daffodil season was almost over. This meant the staff had to undertake the massive task of deadheading.

The deadheading operation was immense. The job usually takes six weeks. With the royal visit looming, all 20 gardeners were drafted in. Even some office staff, including the operations manager, joined to help. Troy Scott Smith had introduced this policy when he arrived. Deadheading daffodils really helps with flowering. The team had noticed a difference in the three years they had been doing it. Before, the flowering was diminishing, with lots of leaves but few flowers.

It is a laborious, “mind-numbing,” and “back-breaking” job. Supervisor Dave Larter joked that his back wouldn’t take it if Troy suggested deadheading the bluebells next. Despite the difficulty, the team spirit was strong. As Dave noted, “It’s quite nice that we’re all doing it. We’re all in it together.” This collective effort was essential to prepare the garden for its royal inspection. The story of A Garden in Snowdonia episode 1 captures this race against time.

A Race to the Finish: Deadlines and Details

Unfortunately, not everything could be finished in time. The building work on the new visitor centre was behind schedule. There had been a series of delays. Michael McLaren described the situation as a “cause of immense frustration.” He tactfully stated that the delays were “for causes which lie with others” and had nothing to do with Bodnant. This setback created an awkward problem for the high-profile visit.

A compromise had to be made. The team could not ask the Prince to open an unfinished building. Instead, they would ask him to “use his imagination.” He would unveil a couple of plaques. These plaques would, in due course, be mounted in the finished visitor reception building. It was a solution, but one they “could have done without on such an important occasion.” The team had to hope this detail would not overshadow the event.

Meanwhile, Troy and trainee gardener Fiona Braithwaite were rushing to complete another project. They were recreating a formal parterre garden known as the Square Garden. This feature was originally designed in 1876. It had been neglected for many years and disappeared completely half a century ago. They were eager to finish it before the Prince arrived. With just a day and a few hours left, progress was good but the pressure was high.

In their haste, a small disaster struck. Fiona meticulously planted box trees while Troy was called away. They later discovered a five-centimeter difference in their measurements. For a formal parterre, this was a significant margin of error. Troy noted that while a visitor might not notice, “we know that it’s wrong.” Everything in such a formal gardening design has to be exact. They made the difficult decision to take the plants back out and replant them perfectly, losing precious time. This dedication to detail defined the team’s approach.

The final preparations were all about perfection. Staff were on their hands and knees. They meticulously removed every last blade of grass from the paths where Prince Charles would be walking. Presentation was everything. Troy himself, who usually wears work boots, had his wife find him a smart pair of shoes. He felt it was important to present themselves as smartly as they had presented the garden.

A Garden in Snowdonia: A New Chapter Begins

The big day finally arrived at Bodnant. The garden was gleaming. The box hedging in the Square Garden was planted to perfection. Bodnant remained open to the public. Visitors who came that day might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of royalty. The team was in place, and the sun was shining. Troy was making sure everything was ready for the Prince to plant a commemorative tree.

The Prince arrived in a chatty mood. He pleasantly surprised two visitors, asking them if they came often. He also took time to speak with the staff. Michael McLaren noted how nice it was for the Prince to acknowledge their long service. He highlighted how vital it is to have people who devote their lives to produce such wonderful gardens. Troy’s big moment came as Prince Charles planted the commemorative tree, a young version of the two his parents planted in 1977.

The visit then moved to its most tense moment. The heir to the throne prepared for his final duty: the visitor centre. He inspected the plan. Then, he prepared to unveil the plaques on the rusty scaffolding. It was an awkward moment. Luckily, George the peacock let out a loud honk at the perfect time. The press and guests laughed. This diverted attention from the unfinished building, and the press had a perfectly finished peacock to photograph instead.

With the visit over, the team was ecstatic. Michael McLaren said, “It’s been absolutely fantastic to have him here.” One thing the Prince kept mentioning was all the mulch. Michael joked, “I wish he came more often!” Lady Aberconway, busy making a scrapbook of the visit, was thrilled. She noted that Troy “was the smartest looking man there.” The visit was a great honor for the garden, especially from such a keen gardener.

Troy felt the day’s success had set them up for the season. It created a “buzz” and a lot of interest in the press. He now views the royal visit as a “springboard.” Combined with the new building and other projects, he believes an exciting time is ahead for Bodnant. This signals a new beginning for A Garden in Snowdonia.

A Garden Reborn: Where Legacy Meets Tomorrow

The story of Bodnant Garden is, at its heart, a story about belief—belief that something cherished can be reimagined without losing its soul, that tradition and innovation aren’t adversaries but partners in creation, and that even the most beautiful places must evolve to survive. What Troy Scott Smith, Michael McLaren, and their dedicated team are undertaking isn’t simply a restoration project with a £2 million price tag. It’s an act of faith in the enduring power of gardens to connect us with something larger than ourselves.

The royal visit, with its rushed deadheads and perfectly placed mulch, captured something essential about this transformation. Yes, there was the awkward moment of unveiling plaques on scaffolding rather than in a finished visitor centre. Yes, George the peacock stole the show at precisely the right moment. But beneath the ceremonial surface lay something more profound: a garden finding its voice again, a team rediscovering what it means to care for a landscape that has inspired visitors for over a century. Prince Charles didn’t just plant a commemorative tree that day—he endorsed a vision that Bodnant could reclaim its place among the world’s great gardens.

What makes this vision compelling is its refusal to choose between honoring the past and embracing the future. The team isn’t erasing the legacy of Henry Pochin’s great conifers or the three generations of Puddle family head gardeners who shaped these grounds. Instead, they’re having a conversation with history. When Troy revives Charles Puddle’s practice of planting tulips among roses, or when he introduces modern prairie-style borders with salvias threading through stipa grass, he’s demonstrating that respect for tradition doesn’t mean paralysis. Lady Aberconway’s initial skepticism about that “uncombed hair” border reflects the creative tension that makes Bodnant’s transformation authentic rather than merely cosmetic.

Stephen Anderton’s harsh criticism—that Bodnant had become an “old man’s garden” dying on its feet—might have stung, but it also catalyzed necessary change. The willingness of Michael McLaren to absorb that critique while defending his family’s passionate stewardship shows the kind of honest self-assessment that drives meaningful evolution. Gardens, like people, can rest on their laurels for only so long before stagnation sets in. The over-mature trees blocking light, the dwindling daffodil flowers, the shabby rose beds—these weren’t signs of neglect but of a garden that had forgotten to look forward.

Now, as seasons unfold and the transformation progresses, Bodnant is remembering how to dream again. The upper rose terrace with its 34 varieties blooming from June through September addresses Troy’s concern about summer color. The painstaking recreation of the 1876 Square Garden—complete with the five-centimeter planting error that had to be corrected—demonstrates the exacting standards required when you’re not just planting flowers but resurrecting history. Every mulched bed, every deadheaded daffodil, every Welsh stone laid in the new visitor centre represents a commitment to excellence that matches the ambition of those Victorian founders who built terraces by hand long before mechanical excavators existed.

For those who love gardens—and for those who’ve yet to discover that love—Bodnant’s journey offers an invitation. Come see a landscape in transition, where you can witness not just what has been accomplished but what’s still becoming. Walk beneath the golden laburnum arch, pause at the lily ponds reflecting Snowdonia’s dramatic peaks, explore borders where traditional and contemporary plantings engage in vibrant dialogue. This isn’t a museum piece preserved in amber; it’s a living laboratory where horticultural excellence meets environmental stewardship, where beauty serves both aesthetic and ecological purposes.

The road to becoming one of the world’s top ten gardens won’t be easy. There will be storms that undo weeks of work, plants that refuse to thrive despite the gardeners’ best efforts, and the ongoing challenge of attracting visitors to a “well-kept secret” in North Wales. But if this first episode of A Garden in Snowdonia reveals anything, it’s that Troy, Michael, Lady Ann, and their team possess the persistence, passion, and vision required for the journey ahead. They understand what Troy articulated so perfectly: “A garden is never finished; it is always becoming.”

Bodnant Garden is rising—not just from decline, but toward a future where heritage and innovation flourish together, where a family’s century-long devotion to a landscape inspires a new generation of visitors, and where the dramatic beauty of Snowdonia frames a garden that’s finally ready to claim its place on the world stage. The seeds have been planted. Now comes the patient, devoted work of helping them bloom.

FAQ A Garden in Snowdonia episode 1