Product Description

The books in this series offer a general introduction capturing the essence of a national garden style and an outline of its history, followed by explorations of around 20 representative gardens, which allow the author to explain in more detail their character and nature. This exploration of the gardens of Wales uncovers an exciting range of gardens, large and small, public and private, historic and contemporary, all over the country. Helena Attlee's lively text combines with Alex Ramsay's evocative photographs to convey a rich treasury waiting to be discovered.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #18141 in Books
• Published on: 2009-03-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 128 pages

Review
Helena Attlee's The Gardens of Wales is the first book to bring a collection together between hard covers. She is a beguiling storyteller, and an eye for detail and historical accuracy make each of her chosen 27 gardens (beautifully photographed by her husband Alex Ramsay) irresistible. --House and Garden

This colourfully photographed book reveals the country's best gardens, from Trust-owned Powis, Bodnant and Chirk to many lesser-known gems and a few quirky delights, such as the underground garden at Dewstow in Monmouthshire. --National Trust Magazine

This beautiful coffee table book includes great gardens to visit all over Wales. The pictures by Alex Ramsay are gorgeous and Helena Attlee's excellent text includes lots of information on the garden designers, history and planting. She is particularly interesting on all the hard work that has gone into restoring many of these gardens including one of fake rocks and grottoes, a Victoria fashion, that had been completely buried. A treat for active and armchair gardeners. --Western Daily Press

About the Author
Helena Attlee has made the garden and its history her special subject for over twenty years. She is the author of The Gardens of Portugal and Italian Gardens: A Cultural History. She lectures widely, writes for a wide range of journals and magazines, leads specialist tours in Britain, Italy and Portugal, and has edited several books on garden design and garden history. She lives in Presteigne, Powys. Alex Ramsay is well known as an award-winning photographer of architecture, gardens and landscapes. His work appears in many books and leading magazines worldwide, covering subjects as diverse as Catholic church architecture and the gardens of Japan. He lives in the Welsh Marches where he works with his wife, the author Helena Attlee.

Customer Reviews

The Gardens of Wales - Superb!
This book is a must for garden and gardening enthusiasts alike.

Helena Attlee's cleverly written narrative takes you on a beautiful and informative journey from one Welsh treasure to another. The gardens' interesting, and sometimes amusing, histories and owners intermingle with descriptions of features and planting that allow you to visualise the gardens both past and present.

As for Alex Ramsay's photographs? Simply stunning.

Although I have visited Powis Castle, I now want to rush back to look at its gardens again through enlightened eyes!

Wonderful gardens of Wales
The Gardens of Wales

After his 12thC perambulation of Wales Giraldus Cambrensis was so bold as to note that "There are no gardens in Wales". Maybe not then but 800 years later there most certainly are. Helena Attlee has captured, in her book, the true flavour of Wales from the splendour of Powis castle to the humble peace of Llowes Court. From the formality of Dyffryn Gardens to the bold and thrilling National Botanic Gardens in Carmarthenshire.

Photographs of fine quality abound thanks to the skill of Alex Ramsay.

Helena's other books concentrate on gardens in Italy and Portugal so it's a treat for us Welsh garden lovers that she has given us such a book.

First class
Outstanding photography & fasinating text, a most beautiful and interesting book - and a first! For anyone interested in gardens or ever visting Wales a must have.