Jones Battye’s Top 5 Places to Visit this Autumn
The kids may have gone back to school, but September is a wonderful time to get out and about for a bit of late sunshine and fresh air. We asked our staff about their favourite places to visit locally during the Autumn, and here are their Top 5:
- Dyffryn Gardens, near Cardiff
Dyffryn Gardens, covers over 55 acres of beautiful gardens and arboretum. The gardens were designed in 1906 by famed garden designer, Thomas Mawson and are full of exotic plant species brought back by 19th century plant hunters.
“I love this place,” says Eleanor Richards-Jones, Partner. “It’s a brilliant place to visit with the family at any time of year. The amazing garden ‘rooms’ are full of inspiration and are a child’s dream for playing hide and seek! This Autumn it’s worth a visit just to see the gourds, pumpkins and squashes. The gourd tunnel in the Australasian garden is totally bonkers.”
- Roath Park, Cardiff
Familiar to many Cardiff residents, Roath Park has something for everyone and is very popular with all age groups.
“I think Roath Park is one of the nicest places to visit within the City”, says Elizabeth Yardley-Richards, our Rhiwbina Office Manager. “My parents used to take me there when I was a little girl, then I took my daughters there when they were small, too. I still walk here a couple of times a week.” Elizabeth’s favourite place in the park is the rose garden. “It’s very peaceful there, and I also love the very old and large specimen trees around the lake. Hiring a rowing boat is fun too, but it’s harder than it looks!”
- Dare Valley Country Park, Cwmdare, Aberdare
Set in 500 acres of countryside, but less than a mile from Aberdare town centre and our office, Dare Valley Country Park has plenty to offer.
Gareth Richards, Senior Surveyor, says, “The Country Park is very popular with Aberdare residents, but also attracts visitors from much further away. ‘Y Cwtch’ café is great for a hot drink after walking or for Sunday lunch, and there are lots of outdoor activities for the kids, including horse riding.”
- Pontsarn Viaduct, Pontsticill
Built in 1866 for the Taff Fechan Mineral Railway, Pontsarn Viaduct is an impressive sight at 92ft high and 455ft long. These days, the Taff Trail crosses the viaduct and it is a wonderful place to walk and cycle.
Gareth Richards-Jones, Managing Partner, says, “To see Autumn colours, I like to walk over Pontsarn Viaduct. There are lots of different trails and footpaths criss-crossing this area and Taff Fechan Nature Reserve and the Blue Pool are also close by and well worth a visit.”
- Llancaiach Fawr Manor, Nelson, Treharris
Built in around 1550 for Dafydd ap Richard, Llancaiach Fawr Manor is one of the finest examples of a semi-fortified manor in Wales. Llancaiach Fawr Manor is open throughout the year with actors dressed as various characters to guide you around the historic house and garden. The house also has a long history of paranormal activity and apparently features on a Top 10 list of the most haunted places in the country!
Kay Morgan, our Aberdare Office Manager says, “Throughout the Autumn and Winter, there are organised Ghost Tours at Llancaiach Manor. I definitely believe, but even if you don’t, the Tours are good fun and the Manor is really atmospheric”.
Our local area has so much to offer this Autumn. These are our favourites, what’s yours?
