 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. |
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The
Weir Gardens
