DYFFRYN House and Gardens has been voted one of Wales’ top 10 Special Places in a major campaign by National Trust Wales to get the country talking about what makes the places in Wales so special – and now the race is on to get it crowned as the top spot.

For the past six weeks the conservation charity’s special places campaign has sparked a national conversation that has seen people talking about, and voting for, their own ‘special place’ in Wales – now the public are being asked to vote in person at the property by Thursday, July 31, or online by Sunday, August 3, to help make it champion as it battles against places such as Cyfarthfa Castle, Gower and Hay-on-Wye.

Dyffryn House and Gardens was shortlisted by judges for its beautiful grounds and unique character.

The National Trust property was voted by the public for being ‘a wonderful link to past and present’, family friend with hidden gems’ and ‘a special romantic place to take my girlfriend’ – and today celebrities, AMs and local townspeople are getting behind Dyffryn House and Gardens and urging the public to vote for it as the final winner.

With recent research by The Trust showing the places we grew up are officially the most special to people in Wales (44 per cent), special places is aiming to celebrate everyone’s own unique places and help preserve them for all to enjoy.

Speaking of the Dyffryn House and Gardens, Torchwood actress Eve Myles said: “I first went to Dyffryn Gardens in the Vale of Glamorgan when I was filming the BBC Wales drama Belonging. I got married to Alan Raglan, who played Robbie, in the house there. But I really ‘discovered’ it when I returned during filming for Torchwood. It’s my secret garden – although maybe not so secret anymore. When I was pregnant with both my children I’d go there for walks and picnics. It feels like a real get away.

“The surroundings always change with the seasons – you see something different every time you go there. I still go there quite a lot with the children and the dog and there’s a lovely play park for the children. They keep the grounds looking beautiful and I just love it.”

Geraldine Donovan, general manager at Dyffryn Gardens said: “We are very excited about making the shortlist, Dyffryn Gardens has a hugely important role in the community and it’s incredible that so many people have nominated us. We want as many people as possible to enjoy our gardens, particularly because so much restoration work has been completed in the past couple of years. This campaign will hopefully mean Dyffryn becomes a special place for lots more people. ”

The National Trust property joins a line-up of much-loved beaches, landmarks and places of cultural interest which have made the National Trust Special Places shortlist for 2014.

The shortlist was chosen by a panel of official judges, a mixture of travel and heritage experts, including broadcaster Roy Noble, travel journalist and TV Presenter Simon Calder and TV wildlife presenter Iolo Williams, who are spearheading the campaign and calling on the public to join in and vote for their favourite place to be crowned Wales’ official special places.

To vote for their winner, people of the Vale of Glamorgan are being urged to vote via Twitter using #lleoeddarbennig / #specialplaces @NTWales or on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/1nJMU6f

Speaking of the shortlist, special places judge and travel expert Simon Calder commented: “This fascinating shortlist demonstrates the joyful diversity of Wales: I can’t wait to see if traditional seaside locations, Penarth Pier and Tenby, are trumped by the nation’s outstanding natural beauty – or whether the works of man will prevail.”

Special places panel member and National Trust’s director for Wales, Justin Albert, commented: “As a conservation charity which looks after special places all across Wales, our campaign is really all about celebrating and preserving the different places in Wales that mean the most to us. So whilst a few of the shortlist may seem like obvious choices, there are some true hidden gems in there which people may never have even heard of.

It’s been exciting to see what places people across Wales have been gunning for the top spot over since the start of the campaign – we can’t wait to see which special place comes out on top.”

With more than 90 per cent of people believing more should be done to preserve special places, the winning special place will be given help and support by The Trust to help preserve and promote it in Wales alongside campaign partners Cadw, Cynnal Cymru and Visit Wales.