Gardener’s House, Hawarden

9
1

Flintshire, N Wales

An eclectic Georgian house on a creative private estate in North Wales, with wood-fired hot tub and private orchard (sleeps 5 or 9)

4 Bedrooms

3 Bathrooms

Alfresco tub

Beauty/wellness treatments

Child friendly

Dog friendly

Eco conscious

Parking

Private chef on request

Private garden

Sauna

Walk to a pub

Walk to a shop

WiFi

Space & setting.

Once home to the Head Gardener at the sprawling Harwarden Estate, this beautiful Georgian house has been transformed into a joy-inducing spot for gathering friends and family. Naturally, given its former life, it connects seamlessly with the outdoors, so you can play games on your lawn, picnic in the private orchard, or fire up the wood-fired hot tub on your balcony and soak with a cup of tea while gazing at the treetops. It’s dog friendly too, with a secure garden, so 4-legged family members need not miss out.

Roomy, and bookable in different configurations to host anywhere between 5 and 9 guests, this is a perfect spot for celebrations. Gather round the kitchen table for long, lazy brunches and dinners (there’s a farm shop and artisan bakery for delicious ingredients), play board games by a crackling fire, indulge in a multi-generational game of hide-and-seek, then wrap yourselves in blankets to toast marshmallows over the campfire in the evenings; this is a place where memories are made.

Elsewhere on the estate, as well as beautiful walks in all directions, there’s a wellness hub for holistic facials or a massage, along with a swimming lake and wood-fired sauna. Horticulturalists will love the Walled Garden; kids can run wild in the playground, and adventurous types can kayak white waters on the River Dee or go wild foraging with an expert to gather edible fungi and botanicals for fancy G&Ts. In short, there’s masses for everyone without even leaving the estate — including a great pub an easy wander away.

Getting here: train to Chester, then taxi (20 mins)

Tara Gladstone Richards

“The Hawarden Estate has been in our family since it was habitable in the 1700s. The castle is still a family home, while the estate now houses lots of small and creative businesses. Our roots remain age-old but our outlook is completely contemporary. This Gardener’s House has been home to generations of Head Gardeners over the years and we love that guests can now be part of its history, too.” Owner, Tara

My Kip favourites

They love
“Sitting in the Walled Garden, being surrounded by beautiful wildlife.”

We love
The quirky collection of art and furniture pieces, paying homage to gardening. Decorations come in the form of watering cans, terracotta pots and pretty seed packets.

You may not love
It’s a 15-minute walk to the shops and pub. You may see estate workers driving past.

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Sustainability.

Eco-friendly products. Full recycling and composting in place.

Surrounds.

  • Hawarden Estate Dining
    Hawarden Estate Dining
  • Gardener’s House, Hawarden
  • Hawarden Estate
  • Hawarden Estate
  • Hawarden Estate Dining
    Hawarden Estate Dining
  • Hawarden Estate
  • Hawarden Estate
  • Hawarden Estate
  • Explore the estate with a foraging and wilderness walk. Don your wellies and accompany local expert Dave on a walk to discover edible fungi, learn the best foraged botanicals for G&Ts, and tune into all the bird song.
  • Sweat it out in the wood-fired sauna. Is there a better way to warm up after a dip in the lake? Gaze out into the peaceful Walled Garden as you sizzle next to the stones – an all-round treat for body and mind.
  • Unwind further with a massage or holistic facial at the Sakura Wellness Hub, a spa and complementary therapy centre on-site.
  • The Glynne Arms has been at the heart of the estate for 200 years. Come for biodynamic and Welsh wines, craft ales, and delicious seasonal food. They can arrange fabulous private dining, too.
  • Abseil down the side of the castle!
  • Kayak the calm or white waters (your choice) of the River Dee.
  • Further afield, visit the photogenic Point of Ayr Lighthouse at Talacre Beach. Now abandoned, the lighthouse used to guide ships into the Mersey Estuary and is said to be home to the ghost of a former keeper.
  • Make a trip into nearby Chester and fill up on traditional Polish dumplings at Pierogi, an authentic but tiny restaurant where diners are invited to gather round sturdy wooden tables and watch the dumplings being hand-prepared as they wait.
  • Enjoy hearty pub fare or a roast dinner with the trimmings at The Red Lion, Penyffordd.

Specifics.

  • House in a private orchard on a sprawling estate, directly connected to the Walled Garden
  • 4 bedrooms — 1st floor: 1 superking (ensuite), 1 king (ensuite), 1 large single. 2nd floor: 1 family room (1 superking + 2 large singles)
  • 2 bathrooms with tubs; 1 shower room; 1 WC downstairs; Laura Thomas Co toiletries provided
  • Bathrobes for hot tub and sauna
  • Fully equipped kitchen including oven, hob, Aga, Moccamaster coffee machine, fridge/freezer; basics provided
  • Local food hampers and private dining available on request
  • Cot and high chair to borrow
  • Record player, records, books and board games
  • Wood-fired hot tub on balcony
  • Private garden with firepit (unlimited firewood), Big Green Egg BBQ and alfresco dining
  • WiFi and phone reception
  • Dog-friendly! (Not on the bed or furniture please)
  • Free parking
  • The owners are available by WhatsApp
  • Walk to the on-site farm shop, village shops and pub (10-15 mins)
  • Explorer trail and playground
  • Private wellness and foraging sessions
  • On-site sauna
  • Booking conditions: 2-night minimum stay during the week; 3 nights over weekends; property can be booked as 2 bedrooms (first floor only, sleeping 5) or all 5 bedrooms (both floors, sleeping 9)
  • Remember to pack: wellies/walking shoes, swimmers, charcoal for outdoor cooking

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30% deposit, with the balance due 8 weeks prior to stay.
Cancellations permitted 8+ weeks prior to stay, with deposit refunded minus a £30 processing fee.
No refunds if booking cancelled within 8 weeks of stay.
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