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English
Welsh
Welcome to the Rosery.
During the late spring and summer, this garden is full of colour and scent.
Head gardener, Hugh Pettrigrew, planned the rosery in 1898.
He filled the garden with more than 100 types of roses and created a canal filled with ornamental fish.
During the first world war, Pettigrew served as an Officer in the Welsh Horse Regiment in France. In 1921 he retired from military service with the honorary rank of Captain.
Sadly, the rosery was not looked after during the war and the canal was filled in.
Pettigrew came back to St Fagans after the war.
When he retired, he went to live in France with his wife.
When Italy joined World War 2, Pettigrew and his wife had to make a dangerous journey back from France to the UK on a crowded boat with other British refugees.
Pettigrew returned to France after the war where he stayed until his death.
Pettigrew once trained at the world-famous Kew Gardens.
After he died, Kew staff wrote about Pettigrew’s life.
They said ‘He was exceptionally skilled in gardening and forestry and was a fine organiser of men.’
The garden you see in front of you today, is rebuilt from Pettigrew’s original design over 100 years ago, how incredible!
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.
