About Us

Kenton & Louise Smith

Kenton was born in Edmonton, Canada. He started playing Ice hockey from the age of 4 years old. Kenton began playing for major junior level Calgary Hitman in 1995, Kenton became a Professional Ice hockey player in 2000. He played in several American teams before embarking on his European adventure, playing in Italy, Manchester, Glasgow & Cardiff before retiring in 2016.

Louise was born in Pembrokeshire and relocated to Cardiff in the late 1990's to embark in a career in Pharmaceutical's as a Professional Relations Manager, award winning and thriving, its where she developed her love of Chemistry. Over the years Louise developed a love for Perfumery and studied in both Paris & London before starting Wales Perfumery in 2019.

Kenton & Louise eloped to Italy to get married, they both understand the importance of a romantic and beautiful wedding day. Elopement Weddings are their absolute passion and they are dedicated to ensuring their guests have beautiful experiences.

With a vision to run their own business, The Secret Walled Garden was bought in 2016.

It was totally overgrown and was a big project to undertake, however together they have worked incredibly hard to create the beautiful 3 acre walled garden to share with you today.

History

Tudor Walled Garden

Our Tudor walled garden is steeped in history, which dates right back to the Tudor era, where Sir William Herbert built Troy House and the surrounding buildings.

In 1611 the wedding arch was added to the walled garden for the wedding of Sir Charles Somerset and his wife Elizabeth and makes a beautiful addition to the garden at our neighbouring Troy Pottery.

Throughout the centuries the garden had an amazing reputation and grew fruits such as apricots, peaches, grapes and the fruit currently grown such as apples, pears and damsons. When Charles I visited Raglan Castle Sir Thomas Somerset presented the King with apricots grown inside the walled garden.

During the 8th Duke of Beaufort's time at Troy House, the Victorian greenhouse was added during the Victorian era, a place to grow many fruits, vegetables and exotic plants such as ferns. The Victorian greenhouse was also adapted as a place to socialise, inviting friends for afternoon tea, a place to carry out hobbies and interests.

In 1902 French endist Nuns of the Order of Our Lady of Charity & Refuge from Saumur in The Loire Valley France, moved to Troy House. They worked within the walled garden creating beautiful vegetable beds, they grew grapes and other fruits.

The walled garden became a private garden in the 1970's.

We became the owners of this amazing property in 2016 and moved into a very overgrown and neglected garden. We have spent many years and continue to transform it into a beautiful Secret Garden to share and enjoy.