National Trust to lease Dyffryn House and Gardens in the Vale of Glamorgan

Published 08 June 2011

Dyffryn House and Gardens, the mansion and Grade 1 Edwardian garden in the Vale of Glamorgan, is to be leased to the National Trust.

The Vale of Glamorgan Council’s Cabinet today (8 June) agreed to lease the property to the Trust for 50 years.

Leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, Gordon Kemp, said: "This is great news for Dyffryn House and Gardens and the wider Vale. The gardens attract around 50,000 visitors each year and we expect to see that number double under National Trust management. We hope this will bring benefits to the wider tourism industry in the Vale.

"We are also confident that the National Trust will successfully oversee the restoration of the house and its opening as a visitor attraction."

The council acquired Dyffryn House and Gardens after local government reorganisation in 1996. Since then a programme of restoration of the gardens has progressed, with the help of over £6 million of Heritage Lottery Fund grant (HLF). This has included restoration of the unique gardens to their original design and the development of facilities including a visitor centre. Works are nearing completion, with the final touches being made to a new glasshouse. HLF has recently granted a further £600,000 towards partial restoration of the House.

John Morgan, The National Trust’s Director for Wales said: "Dyffryn Gardens is a truly outstanding garden and we look forward to building on the good work the Vale of Glamorgan Council have done over the last few years. We are committed to continuing the restoration of the garden rooms, arboretum and parts of the house to make Dyffryn Gardens a ‘must visit’ destination for everyone with a love of gardening and the outdoors.

"We will be focused on working with local communities to create new opportunities for social enterprise and recreation whilst promoting the gardens as a place where everyone can enjoy."

It is expected that the National Trust will take over the property in early 2012.