National Botanic Garden of Wales

Nestled in the heart of the Camarthenshire hills, the National Botanic Garden, set in the grounds of the eighteenth-century Middleton Hall, is a bit of a revelation. Created just over a decade ago for the Millennium and opened in May 2000, it's already the most visited garden attraction in Wales, and makes for a great place for a day out whatever the weather, within easy reach of the A48 and well signposted, and fully wheelchair-accessible throughout. Not only that: its collection of sub-tropical and Mediterranean plants is one of the best in Europe, and the building where they're grown – the gigantic Great Glasshouse – is the world's largest single span glasshouse, designed by Norman Foster, with species from Australia, South Africa and South America. Besides this there's a Tropical House, you can view temperate trees and shrubs in Woods of the World, native Welsh plants and trees, a bog garden and Japanese garden, as well as beautiful borders in the Broadwalk and fruit and veg in the Double Walled Garden. There are also lots of lovely lake and pond walks. Sumptuous.