Caerynwch mansion, Brithdir, was built by Sir Richard Richards, Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer, after he acquired the Plas Hen estate following his marriage to Catherine Humphreys in 1785.

"The gardens date back to the 1800s and were neglected in the 1950s and '60s before my parents began to restore them," said current owner Andrew Richards, great great great grandson of Sir Richard.

He is now continuing his parents' work in restoring the garden with the help of a part-time gardener.

"My grandmother was a well known botanist and she brought back rhododendrons from China in the 1900s," Mr Richards said.

"We have a woodland garden with special rhododendrons and at the end of March we have a mass of daffodils and bluebells. In front of the house there is a terraced garden with herbaceous borders and the grounds run down to the River Clywedog.

"The two open days in May will include a three-quarters of a mile walk along the riverbank. Because we live in such a beautiful spot, we want to let other people share our enjoyment."

Mr Richards' wife Hilary added that they hoped to fill a gap in an area where there were not many gardens open to the public and open the gardens again in future years if 2009 was a success.

After the first two open days, in March and April, Mrs Richards said they were delighted with visitor numbers, particularly local people, including two women who had had their wedding receptions there when Caerynwch was a hotel many years ago.

The gardens open for the final time in 2009 from 11am to 5pm on Sunday 24 May. Admission is £4 for adults and free for children under 16.