THE North Wales Festival of Gardens 2018 was launched at Bodrhyddan Hall, Rhuddlan last Saturday.

The launch brought together the finest gardens in North Wales.

This year the festival takes place over 16 days from Saturday June 2 until Sunday June 17 in a number of gardens across North Wales.

A spokesman for North Wales Tourism said: “We were very pleased with opening event, and hope the remainder of the festival will be as successful, and many people see and enjoy all the gardens.

”We have on our doorstep some of the most beautiful gardens in the UK, including some real hidden gems, and this festival is about showing them off to as many people as possible. The launch on Saturday was one of those real hidden gems and in of the lesser known gardens in North Wales.

The spokesman added: “It was great to see a good attendance at the event which included a tour of the house and garden. The weather also stayed on our side which was a big help.

Bodrhyddan Hall, Rhuddlan is a grand 17th-century home. Its gardens offer a variety of different settings, ranging from flowing lawns, formal parterres, and woodland walks. The grounds and gardens cover around 12 acres for guests and visitors to explore.

The gardens were almost completely overgrown until being restored in the 1970's.

Included among the host of gardens taking part in the 2018 festival are:

In Gwynedd: Caerau Uchaf, Bala; Crug Farm Plants, Caernarfon; Penrhyn Castle, Bangor; Plan Tan y Bwlch near Maentwrog; Portmeirion and Plas Brondanw, Penrhyndeudraeth; and the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways.

In Anglesey: Plas Newydd, Llanfairpwll and Plas Cadnant Hidden Gardens in Menai Bridge.

In Denbighshire: Bodrhyddan Hall Gardens, Rhuddlan; and Nantclwyd y Dre in Ruthin.

In Conwy are: Bodnant Gardens, Llandudno and Gwrych Castle, Abergele.