The Tywi Gateway Project
The Tywi Gateway Project is an exciting and innovative community driven landscape restoration project led by the Tywi Gateway Trust based at the Bishop’s Park, Abergwili.
Once set on the banks of the River Tywi, in the beautiful Tywi Valley, for nearly 500 years the Bishop’s Park was the private garden of the Bishops of St. Davids. Today, what remains of the park is now open to the public all year round and is a much-loved place to take a stroll and follow in the footsteps of the Bishops of St Davids.
Over its long history the park's landscape has gone through many changes reflecting the fashions of the time, changes in its use and more dramatically the forces of nature. The most recent changes were made in the 1970s when part of the grounds were chosen as the site on which to build a new Bishop’s Palace. The old Bishop’s Palace eventually becoming the home of the fascinating Carmarthenshire County Museum and no visit to the Bishop’s Park is complete without exploring this jewel of a museum.
Despite the many changes that have taken place, as we look around the Bishop’s Park today we can still see the remains of these earlier parks. The wonderful but overgrown Walled Kitchen Garden with its quaint cottage ornee, the old pathways through the trees, the ha ha overlooking The Great Meadow and the Bishop’s Pond with its secret island, all offer us a hint at the one time splendour of these important and peaceful grounds.
This undiscovered jewel set within a landscape famously known as the Garden of Wales is a truly unique site and though its glory is somewhat faded the Tywi Gateway Project is working to restore the Bishop’s Park to it former grandeur.
Historic Parkland and Walks
Visit Us
Our History
How You Can Help
Have Your Say!
There will be monthly guided walks to explain and discuss our plans for the project, including in the walled garden. They will take place on the following Saturdays, starting from the car-park at 2.15 pm May 5th, June 2nd, July 7th, August 4th, September 1st, October 6th November 3rd and
Archaeological Investigation of the Walled Garden
In preparation for our taking over the walled kitchen garden, the Dyfed Archaeological Trust carried out extensive surveys in 2017, including the remains of glasshouses, and with the help of local volunteers. The Trust’s report is available here. If anyone has photos or memories of the garden – such
Major National Lottery Boost for Abergwili Park
Thanks to a £1,274,300 grant to a Carmarthenshire charity from the National Lottery the dream of revitalising Bishop’s Park at Abergwili is on the point of realisation.
Working in partnership with Carmarthenshire County Museum and
Diocese of St Davids: Press Release
The Secret Garden comes back to life
There’s a secret lying hidden at the bottom of the Bishop’s garden – and it’s about to be revealed. In its heyday, the Bishop’s Palace in Abergwili, near Carmarthen, overlooked what commentators of
