Plas Brondanw Gardens

The gardens at Plas Brondanw are the work of one man's obsession - architect Clough Williams-Ellis spent decades carving his vision into the Welsh hillside above Talsarnau. What you get is a series of outdoor rooms, each one framed by hedges, walls and carefully placed stonework, with views across the Snowdonia valleys that feel properly theatrical.

Walking through feels less like a stroll and more like moving through a sequence of pictures. Topiary, water features, and sudden vistas reveal themselves as you climb. It's labour-intensive gardening at its finest - the sort of place that makes you understand why wealthy eccentrics commissioned gardens in the first place. A good half-day's work, maybe longer if you're the type to sit and sketch.

History enthusiasts will get the most from a visit here. This isn't horticultural spectacle for its own sake - it's the physical expression of one designer's philosophy about proportion, perspective and the marriage of building with landscape. That said, families with young children might find it a bit thin on entertainment value once the novelty of exploring the grounds wears off.

You're well-positioned for a wider holiday in the area. Barcdy Caravan and Cae Du Campsite sit within a few miles, and Beddgelert Campsite's not far if you want to base yourself more centrally for exploring Snowdonia proper. Spring and early summer are best - the hedges are sharp, the views clear, and you won't be wrestling with crowds.