DYFFRYN Gardens has been voted Wales’ favourite gardens by the public.

National Trust Wales launched its major summer campaign in May to find the most-loved place in Wales, and after weeks of voting the shortlist has been selected. Dyffryn Gardens has won the title in the parks and gardens category and they need your vote now to secure the overall title as Wales’ favourite special place.

Special Places has already sparked a national conversation between celebrities, culture and heritage bodies and communities across Wales, with each backing the coastlines, parks, and urban landmarks that mean the most to them.

Last year, people voted in their thousands with Penarth Pier and Pavilion being crowned the final winner, and this year Dyffryn has been voted the winner in the parks and gardens category.

Dyffryn Gardens and four other places have been shortlisted in total and they will now go on to battle it out to be the overall winner.

Staff and volunteers are asking the public to rally in their votes either at the property, via social media using #lleoeddarbennig / #specialplaces, or using the voting app @NTWales Facebook ahead of the closing date on August 4.

Geraldine Donovan Dyffryn’s General Manager said: “We are thrilled to have won our category. A huge thank you goes out to everyone who voted for us.

"It really couldn’t have come at a better time for us. We have just finished restoring three of the major garden ‘rooms’ at Dyffryn and the gardens are improving dramatically year on year and obviously the public thinks so too.

"It is such a pleasure to have been shortlisted and we would love to take home the prize of being the overall champion.

"It doesn’t matter if you have already voted as the scores are reset to zero. We need everyone’s help to take home the trophy so please get voting.”

Speaking of the winner for Parks and Gardens, TV Presenter Matt Johnson commented: “We are so lucky to have such beautiful green spaces in Wales, and it’s easy to see why Dyffryn Gardens stole the hearts of the nation to win this category.

"Being able to drive just 20 minutes from a busy capital and step into a world-renowned garden isn’t something we can say about every country, and that’s why it should take the top prize in my books.

"It really does have a place in the nation’s heart and I’m confident it will come out on top in August. So get voting people, we have two weeks to win this.”

The celebrities will be joined by a host of partner heritage bodies and local community figureheads over these final weeks to urge fans and voters to get behind their category finalist before it’s too late.

To get behind Team Dyffryn and vote for them to win, simply Tweet, Facebook or Instagram ‘Dyffryn Gardens’ using #lleoeddarbennig / #specialplaces @NTWales or vote on Facebook http://on.fb.me/1KJqw6g