The Laundry Retreat and Garden
What a lovely afternoon an enthusiastic group of Friends had at the Laundry Retreat and Garden in Llanrhaeadr, near Denbigh. Hosted by the Retreat’s owners Tom and Jenny, we got to know the whole story about their ongoing plans to revitalise the laundry and grounds of the former Llanrhaeadr Hall, once one of the Vale of Clwyd’s grand country houses and now an old people’s home. Tom, Jenny and their three boys have now transformed the laundry into their own beautiful home. Alongside it sits a vast and very high walled garden which has become the couple’s labour of love!
Our first stop on our conducted tour was the Retreat. This is actually two wonderfully appointed roundhouses, eco escapes comprising a large bedroom, bathroom and kitchen set in seclusion on the edge of the garden with perfect views to the Clwydian Range. The roundhouses have proved enormously popular, with many of the guests paying repeat visits. Then, after tea and biscuits, it was time for Tom and Jenny to tell us all about their ongoing plans for the garden.
When the couple moved in to the Laundry in 2008 the garden had been neglected for many years and they immediately set about creating what they describe as their own secret garden. Our visit was all the more interesting because it’s still a work in progress – a relatively new garden but set in a genuinely authentic, beautiful and historic setting. Jenny drew our attention to some must see elements including the pleached limes and the pleached crab-apple circle. A group of plane trees have recently been planted and there are plans for a dry garden reflecting current changes in our weather patterns, as well as a glasshouse development to go against one of the very imposing walls.
The visit concluded with plenty of time to explore the garden itself and to chat with fellow Friends members. Altogether a splendid event – many thanks to Friends Trustee Julie for making the arrangements and to Tom and Jenny for their welcome and hospitality. We’ll no doubt wish to visit again before too long to see their plans continuing to take shape.