Whilst the history of the Dyffryn Estate as such goes back many centuries, the current house and its gardens date from the late 1800s. At that time the estate was acquired by a wealthy coal merchant who was looking for a place within easy commuting distance to the nearby port of Barry.
Dyffryn remained a family home until 1937. It had a chequered history after that and ultimately fell into disrepair. It is now run by the UK National Trust, who, in conjunction with the local council, have embarked on an extensive restoration programme. The house is not currently open to visitors.
We had picked a grey day for our visit, but there was plenty of colour in the flower beds to compensate.
In some parts of the huge gardens (55 acres) there are separate ‘rooms’, such as these:
There are also well-stocked heated glasshouses.
Below are a few more photos from a stroll around the grounds:
You should allow at least two to three hours for a visit. There is a cafe on site.
