National Trust: Dyffryn Gardens

“Katherine’s superb, high quality drawing of Dyffryn House perfectly captures the very essence of Dyffryn and its Grade II listed mansion house. It brings to life a family home that was once at the heart of a thriving estate and community. We are proud to showcase Katherine’s stunning collection in our gift shop.”

- Retail Team, Dyffryn Gardens

It’s been over a year since I first dropped off my National Trust commission to Dyffryn Gardens in the Vale of Glamorgan. Back then, I worked closely with the retail team to produce a drawing of the beautiful house and gardens that would be sold in their gift shop, and of course on my website.

Dating back to the 16th century, the house at Dyffryn began life as an extravagant family home. Sold in 1891, it was transformed by wealth coal merchant John Cory who had a passion for horticulture and developed the majestic grounds. Over the following century, the house was used as a police academy, dog training facility and an educational conference centre before being acquired by the National Trust in 2013, leasing it from the Vale of Glamorgan council. Now, after years of restoration and conservation, it is now enjoyed by children and adults alike, for family days out and special occasions.
 
I recently went back to re-stock the Dyffryn Gardens shop with more of the commissioned print, along with a selection of my wildlife drawings, and used the trip as an excuse to spend a while enjoying the grounds with my greyhound Lili.

Read about more of my commercial collaborations here.