The Weir

The Weir's 254 acres include a late 18th century house (not open to the public) perched above steep slopes which fall away to the River Wye.

The south-facing slopes of the property fringe a great bend of the Wye as it meanders slowly eastwards, a famous salmon leap.

It was on these precipitous slopes that the Parr family created their unusual garden in the 1920s.

A walk through the beech woodland high above the river leads to the much altered villa at the top of the garden. From here paths criss-cross the garden at all levels, with flights of steps in places.

The slopes are clad with ancient beeches and the London plane and informally planted with shrubs such as yew, laurel, privet and holly. These shrubs provide shelter for valerian, everlasting peas and other natives. They also, together with reinforced concrete, play an essential role in preventing the garden from slipping into the river.

There are a number of exotic trees and shrubs including the Japanese maple and willow thrives along the river itself.

The grassy slopes have spectacular displays of bluebells and daffodils in the spring, a brilliant yellow carpet of rose of Sharon in the summer and later in the year are bright with autumn crocus.

The garden also has a rockery of Cheddar limestone which hides a lily pond, fed by a trickling stream.

There are spectacular views from the gardens.

Westward, over the river and across a patchwork of fields, are the slopes of the Black Mountains with the peaks of the Breacon Beacons in the far distance.

The Weir is now in the care of the National Trust.