Roath Park Park
Victorian public park with lake and botanical displays
A Victorian-era public park in Cardiff, Roath Park features a large ornamental lake, boating facilities, a conservatory and formal rose gardens; visitors enjoy boating, lakeside walks and seasonal plant displays.
Roath Park at a Glance#
Address: Roath Park, Cardiff CF23 (northeast of the city centre)
Website: https://www.cardiff.gov.uk/
Hours: Park grounds: Daily dawn-dusk; Conservatory hours vary seasonally (check Cardiff council site)
Admission: Free
About Roath Park#
Roath Park is a public municipal park in Cardiff, Wales, established in 1894 and centered on a large ornamental lake and formal gardens. It is a well-known city park used for recreation and horticultural displays.
The park was laid out in the late 19th century and developed as a municipal pleasure ground and public green space. Its lake and formal garden layout date from the original scheme of the park’s creation.
Located in the Roath district of Cardiff, the park sits to the northeast of the city center and is accessible from surrounding residential neighborhoods.
- Opening year: Opened to the public in 1894 and remains one of Cardiff’s principal municipal parks.
What to See#
- The Lake: An ornamental lake with islands and a footbridge, central to the park’s layout and used for boating and as a focal point for gardens.
- Conservatory and gardens: A public conservatory that houses seasonal and tropical plant displays alongside formal flower beds and a rose garden.
How to Get to Roath Park#
From Cardiff central, Roath Park is a 25-35 minute walk northeast (about 2 km) or a short bus ride-routes 50 and 51 serve Albany Road with stops near the park. Limited parking is available around the park edges.
Tips for Visiting Roath Park#
- Visit early in the morning to catch the greenhouse and the rose garden before day-trippers arrive
- Walk the lake circuit clockwise for the best light on the boathouse and the terraced rhododendron beds in spring
- Check the small arboretum map at the entrance-some trees are over a century old
Best Time to Visit Roath Park#
Best in spring for flowers and in autumn for light and fewer crowds; summer is popular for boating.
Weather & Climate near Roath Park#
Roath Park's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 2°C to 22°C. Abundant rainfall (1055 mm/year), wettest in November.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 3° - 8° | 2° | 113 mm | overcast | 93% | 5.0 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.2h |
| February | Poor | 2° - 8° | 2° | 85 mm | overcast | 91% | 4.6 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.8h |
| March | Acceptable | 4° - 10° | 4° | 87 mm | overcast | 89% | 4.7 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 5° - 13° | 6° | 60 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.2 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.7h |
| May | Good | 8° - 17° | 12° | 62 mm | overcast | 83% | 4.1 m/s | 1.1 high | 15.4h |
| June | Good | 11° - 19° | 15° | 66 mm | overcast | 82% | 3.8 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.3h |
| July | Good | 13° - 22° | 17° | 61 mm | overcast | 82% | 3.8 m/s | 1.3 high | 15.9h |
| August | Good | 13° - 21° | 17° | 88 mm | overcast | 84% | 3.6 m/s | 1.0 high | 14.4h |
| September | Good | 11° - 18° | 14° | 97 mm | overcast | 85% | 3.9 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Acceptable | 8° - 14° | 11° | 106 mm | overcast | 89% | 4.2 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.5h |
| November | Acceptable | 5° - 11° | 5° | 117 mm | overcast | 92% | 4.2 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.7h |
| December | Poor | 4° - 9° | 3° | 113 mm | overcast | 93% | 4.7 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.7h |
