Restoration and Enhancement of NBGW’s Regency Lakes

The National Botanic Garden of Wales (NBGW) features a necklace of 7 lakes and streams which provide an important habitat for aquatic wildlife. These water features were created by Sir Wiliam Paxton, the landowner who transformed the original 17th century Middleton Estate into a Regency water park during the 1790’s. His ingenious system of lakes, streams, ponds and cascades were formed using dams, bridges and sluices. In the 1930’s the lakes were drained and gradually turned into muddy thickets choked with trees.
The NBGW has embarked on a lake restoration programme which has already tackled 3 of the 7 lakes. This project looks to restore a 4th lake. Access improvements, interpretation, shelters, hides and benches.