Press play to listen to the audio. You can pause or move through the track using the controls.
English
Welsh
Stop here a moment to take a closer look at the Monkey Puzzle tree.
Its leaves are spiky and leathery. Its fruits are hairy cones on the tips of its branches.
The Monkey Puzzle tree has been around for 200 million years, when dinosaurs roamed the earth.
It’s not from the UK though.
It comes from South America and was brought over by the Victorians.
So what is an exotic Monkey Puzzle tree doing at St Fagans?
Well, it would have been chosen by the gardeners on the Plymouth Estate.
In 1897, The Earl appointed a man called Hugh Pettigrew as Head Gardener at St Fagans Castle.
He was responsible for the Italian, Rose and Thyme Garden.
Pettigrew wasn’t a stranger to the Earl. They grew up together and were childhood friends.
Although Pettigrew was a servant on the Estate, he was thought of as a member of the Plymouth household.
The Pettigrew family were also involved in designing Cardiff Parks.
They were very well known.
Today, there’s even a local chain of bakeries across Cardiff which is named after them!
We’ll be learning more about Hugh Pettigrew as we explore the gardens around the castle.
But for now, here’s a silly fact: Hugh Pettigrew was once caught speeding in his new car, going at an alarming 20 miles/hour! Listen to the audio clip below to find out more.
Before you walk on, you should know that an old myth says that speaking while passing a Monkey Puzzle tree can cause you to grow a monkey’s tail!
Better be careful!
Press play to listen to the audio. You can pause or move through the track using the controls.
Andrew Pettigrew on Hugh Pettigrew’s speeding ticket – 1979.
Welcome to the Wartimes at St Fagans trail!
St Fagans is a living history museum where you can explore the past and learn about how people lived….
The Chapel
Every town and village in Wales had at least one chapel. These were important community hubs in the past…
Hugh Pettigrew
In 1897, The Earl appointed a man called Hugh Pettigrew as Head Gardener at St Fagans Castle…
The Dovecot
This Dovecot was used by the Plymouth family who used to keep pigeons for their meat and eggs…
The Rosery
Head gardener, Hugh Pettrigrew, planned the rosery in 1898. He filled the garden with more than 100 types of roses…
Castle Gardens
These gardens would have looked and felt very different in the early 1900s when they were transformed for the war effort…
St Fagans Castle
The castle played an important role in the First World War and was used as a training ground for the Red Cross in 1910…
Project funders
Using money raised by National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK’s heritage.
The Secret Garden is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to work with adults with learning disabilities and other additional needs to explore the rich history of Ysgubor Fawr cottage and nurture its garden.
