A Day out at Gregynog Hall

It was our 14th wedding Anniversary today so we had a day out together at Gregynog Hall. It was another scorcher too, the 7th day in a row that temperatures recorded by our Borth & Ynyslas Weather Station exceeded 30ºC, surely that must be some sort of a record. After seeing Morgan off to school we therefore drove through a dry and parched landscape towards Newtown. It wasn’t that bad to be honest and as soon as we were away from the coast the yellow and brown of the parched grass was soon replaced by the greens of summer trees.

Gregynog Hall

We’d both been to Gregynog Hall before. It is currently owned by the University of Wales – We’re not sure what the University of Wales is these days – but Aberystwyth University where we both studied and now both work used to be the ‘University of Wales, Aberystwyth’ and therefore has ties with Gregynog Hall. I’d stayed there once on a PhD conference and Anna has been there too so we knew what to expect.

Gregynog is a historic house with Grade 1 listed gardens set in the heart of rural Montgomeryshire. One of Wales’ premier country estates, and the former home of art collectors and public benefactors Gwendoline and Margaret Davies, it offers a welcoming setting in which people of all ages and abilities may discover, experience, participate in, and be inspired by the arts and natural environment.

Once there. we had a stroll around the gardens which took us along woodland walks where the shade was much appreciated.

It took us into an apiary which had a nice little viewing area and lots of information. Maybe we should get the Aberystwyth Beekeepers Association to make a trip here. They’d love the apiary, enjoy the walks and best of all there’s tea and cake from the cafe too.

We strolled around a lily pond. No doubt it usually has more water in than it did today but it still looked nice.

We of course took a look at the Hall itself. It’s hard to ignore such a prominent, impressive building really.

Anna suggested that I try taking some vertical panoramic photos with my phone. It was our anniversary so I couldn’t say no to her. I started off with an Oak tree but then decided it would be more fun to take one of Anna. Somehow I don’t think vertical panos of people are very flattering!

We then stopped at the cafe for lemonade and ginger beer along with some sandwiches for lunch. All washed down with some cake. There wasn’t a huge amount more to do so we took a different route home. Stopping off for sweets on the way.

Back at home the temperature had now exceed 30ºC. Anna settled down for an afternoon snooze while I went out for a bike ride and then a run. The perfect anniversary day for us both! Here’s to another 14 years. Although, by then I might be in need of an afternoon snooze as well!

Tags: AnniversaryWales