Roath Park House and the Pettigrews

Roath Park House was built in 1897 as the residence for the Parks Superintendent. Throughout the following decades, it housed a number of important people in the world of horticulture and parks.

Cardiff’s prestigious Pettigrew family were instrumental in developing the city’s parks, beginning with Andrew Pettigrew, Head Gardener to the Marquis of Bute. Andrew developed the grounds of Cardiff Castle for Lord Bute, which became Bute Park when the castle was gifted to the people of Cardiff in 1947.

William Wallace Pettigrew

William Wallace Pettigrew was the eldest son of Andrew Pettigrew. He was the first person to live in Roath Park House, along with his wife Ruth McConochie. He trained as an apprentice under his father at Bute Park and also at Kew Gardens. He was made Head Gardener of the public parks in 1891, and Parks Superintendent in 1896. He managed the early development of Roath Park, as well as establishing the park’s Fish Hatchery. He also wrote an official guide to Roath Park and the plants in the Botanic Garden, which was published by the Western Mail in 1905.

William left Cardiff in 1915 to become a Head Gardener to the Manchester Corporation. He had a very successful career and when he retired wrote a significant textbook on park management.

Andrew Alexander Pettigrew

Andrew Alexander Pettigrew moved into Roath Park House when his brother, William left in 1915. Like his brother, he learned from his father as an apprentice in Bute Park and then had further training at Kew Gardens. He was made Chief Officer of the Parks and Open Spaces in Cardiff in March 1915, chosen from more than 100 applicants for the job.

He was known for his scientific knowledge of plants and was praised for gathering a distinctive collection of trees, plants and shrubs in Roath Park. He also wrote a detailed and thoroughly researched history of Cardiff’s parks. Andrew served in this role for 21 years until his early death in 1936. His brother, William offered to carry out his duties without pay until a new Chief Officer could be recruited.

Historic photo of Andrew Alexander Pettigrew — Andrew Alexander Pettigrew, c.1930 (www.pettigrews.org.uk)

William Nelmes Senior

Roath Park House was later occupied by William Nelmes Senior who developed Parc Cefn Onn for Cardiff Council as well as managing Roath Park. He was made Chief Officer of Parks and Open Spaces in 1936, at the age of 34. He had worked under Andrew Alexander Pettigrew between 1928 and 1934, with responsibility for the botanical collection in Roath Park.

He was succeeded by his son, William, who built the Roath Park Conservatory, a heated plant house. When he died, a Hungarian Oak Tree (Quercus frainetto, ‘Hungarian Crown’) was planted in his memory near Roath Park House.

Learn more about the Pettigrews here.

Roath Park House in the sunshine July 2015 — Roath Park House July 2015 (cardiffparks.org.uk)