Dyffryn Fernant Garden

Dyffryn Fernant is what one determined gardener can do with a rush-choked valley under the north Pembrokeshire hills: six acres of richly planted rooms — bog garden, magenta-walled courtyard, meadow, rocky knoll with the mountain view — built over decades and now listed among the RHS's partner gardens and the National Garden Scheme's stalwarts. It's a personal garden rather than an estate: opinionated, plant-drunk and full of ideas visitors take home.

Opening is seasonal with published days and honesty-box style admission — check the garden's own site before travelling, as days vary through the year. There's a library-summerhouse to sit in and plants for sale, but no café: Dinas Cross and Fishguard hold the lunch options.

Garden-day companions: Colby Woodland Garden in the south, Picton in the middle, and this — the connoisseur's one — in the north, with Carn Ingli rising behind for the walkers in the party.