Roath Park

About Roath Park

Roath Park, opened in 1894 , was one of the first public parks in Cardiff’s and still retains its classic Victorian atmosphere and layout of characterful linear parks, extending along the Nant Fawr stream.

Each section of the park was designed for a specific purpose and the park still provides a wide range of horticultural interest, nature conservation and activities to delight today’s visitors.

Roath Park is one of the city’s Green Flag parks.

Visitor information

The park and pleasure gardens are open from 7.30am – 30 minutes before sunset.

The recreation ground is open 24 hours a day.

Parking: On-street parking is available in the surrounding area.

Roath Park Dam Project

Please be aware of ongoing work at Roath park that may affect your visiting experience.

Features

Grade 1 listed historic park: Listed on the Cadw Register of Landscapes, Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales.
Roath Park Lake: The 30 acre man-made lake is a popular facility for fishing and boating. The Scott Memorial Lighthouse on the lake is one of Cardiff’s iconic images.
Wild Garden: North of the lake, its winding paths and wildflowers are shaded by trees
Llandennis Oval: North of the Wild garden, this is a site steeped in history. Its ancient pond is said to be the site of St Isan’s 12th century ‘Llan’ or enclosure.
Botanic Garden: South of the dam, the ‘botanics’ contains a superb tree and shrub collection, floral displays, adventure playground and Roath Park Conservatory.
Roath Pleasure Gardens: Lying south of Eastern Avenue, the Pleasure Gardens provides bowls, tennis and basketball facilities in a parkland setting.
Roath Recreation Ground: South east of the Pleasure Gardens, the home of Welsh baseball also provides football and rugby pitches, a children’s playground and trim trail.

Facilities

Roath Park Conservatory (Botanic Garden) open for self guided tours and school visits
Public toilets and baby changing – Next to the playground in the Botanic gardens
Boat station toilets – Open when the boat station is open.
Children’s playgrounds (Botanic Garden and Recreation Ground)
Roath Park cafeteria (Botanic Garden)
Trim Trail: in Roath Recreation Ground
Tennis courts: in Roath Pleasure Gardens, open all year round – no charges.

Bowling Green and pavilion: in Roath Pleasure Gardens
Ice cream kiosk (Botanic Garden)
Boat hire from the boatstage at Roath Park Lake
Sports fields and changing rooms Available for booking.
Bowling and tennis at Roath Pleasure Gardens
Wildlife Explorer Trail: for children (download a leaflet)

Roath Park conservatory

Conservatory opens 11am – 4pm daily.

Pedalo hire

Pedalo hire reopened on Monday 25 March 2024.

Costs

30 minutes hire: £10
1 hour hire: £18

Opening times

View the opening times for Roath Park pedalo hire.

Term time

Saturday and Sunday 11am to 6pm

Last hire 5:15pm.

Summer holidays

Every day 11am to 7pm
Last hire 6:15pm

Bank Holiday

11am to 6pm
Last hire 5.15pm

Pedalo hire is weather permitting.

Contact us

Tel: 029 2233 0251

How to find us

Access point	GPS (latitude / longitude)
Roath Park lake	51.509604 / -3.174913
Roath Park conservatory / Botanic Garden	51.50511 / -3.17522
Roath Pleasure Ground	51.500875 / -3.172738
Wild Garden	51.514857 / -3.175843
Llandennis Oval	51.518255 / -3.177266
Roath Recreation Ground	51.498489 / -3.167042

What3words: skinny.visa.cook

Discover the park

Roath park dam with lighthouse and runner

Roath park dam with lighthouse and play park

Abridge over the stream at Roath Park lake

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