The Lakes

There are seven lakes on the estate forming a necklace around the central Garden.
They were (probably) designed by William Emes for William Paxton.
Pwll Yr Ardd, which is nearest to the Gatehouse and supports the Hyder Water Discovery Centre, is approximately one and a half metres deep.
 This is the smallest and shallowest of the lakes on the estate.  It is likely that this lake was used for the gathering of ice for the Ice House.
Llyn Uchaf adjoins Pwll Yr Ardd.  Its bridge and weir have been restored.   Llyn Canol and Pond Du have yet to be re-claimed as have the remaining lakes at Pont Felin Gat.  
 As well as an area for pleasant relaxation around the lakeside paths system, the lakes will be used for studies into pond life, and the flora and fauna of the lakes in general.
This will comprise part of the educational programme based in the Hyder Water Discovery Centre. For this reason, the lakes will be an example of a natural ecosystem, and neither plants nor animal life will be added.
      A horticultural experiment is underway to the east of the Great Glasshouse, based around the lakeside paths. The prairie project is the first to be tried on this scale in the UK. North American herbaceous perennials are being planted together in order to create a new concept of plant associations and an exciting display.
This has not been tried in a wet climate before and there is no guarantee of success. It is possible that ten of the fifty species chosen for the site will not thrive but in this way the horticultural world and the visitor can follow the Garden’s experimental journey and learn from it. The prairie planting, where herbaceous plants compete with one another in nutrient-poor soil, will constantly change, as will the information for people interested in the project.