Roath Park Lake

After your Sunday Lunch walk it off by having a Leisurely walk around the lake maybe feed the ducks have a quick go in the park and then back home to see what's for dessert

One of my favourite places in the world and literally on my doorstep; will be sorry to move away from it!

a nice walk but best avoided on sunny days and holidays as it gets packed. Its about 1 mile long so popular with people jogging/running around the perimeter. whilst its good to see wildfowl there you have to watch out for the sometimes large amounts of guano

Love this park. Great to go and relax alone or with friends by the flower beds when the sun is shining, or go for a walk around the lakes. I think a walk around the whole park is about a mile so great for keeping fit!

There are boats on the lake which is a good laugh especially if the oar gets stuck in pond weed! Row around the greenhouse or by the small island which is barred off for nesting birds but is still nice. There are loads of different birds there including swans and ducks as well as some strange looking ones.

A park for the kids which is very popular and a big green house full of different plants.

There is a small cafe by the lake which serves lovely cakes and an ice cream van/ stall.

If you feel peckish, there are lots of food places in nearby roath / cathays.

Best of all, it is free - apart from the boats/ entry to the greenhouse.

A great place to go on a hot summers day.

From feeding the ducks, hiring out a boat, taking a casual stroll or even going for a run - the lake has it all.

Surrounding the lake is a busy road so children need to be kept and eye on.

A walk around the lake could take upto an hour.

All these are good reviews on Roath Park Lake, which is an artificial lake made by damming the Nant Fawr stream which used to run though marshland
The ground was given to the City by the Marquis of Bute in 1887 rather slightly before my time ! The lake is used for both boating and fishing, although I have seen many fishermen around the lake I have yet to see one catch a fish.! No one has written that the ‘lighthouse’ is a memorial to Captain Scott who sailed to the Antarctic from Cardiff in 1910 The light house ,or clock tower is surmounted by a scale model of his ship the Terra Nova. Surprisingly also no one has pointed out the several small islands at the north of the lake They are fenced off so that no-one can land These are extensive breeding grounds for many species of birds and wild fowl. There are quite a few species of geese Don’t ask me about the various types I am sure that there is an ornithologist among us that can help out ? They keep the grass around the lake well cropped and can get quite aggressive if disturbed . Be careful that your children or dogs do not chase them as they are inclined to fight back . In the spring many unusual species of wildfowl can be seen other than the usual ducks and swans.

You have a boating lake, flower gardens,kids play areas, you can jog/run around the outside. Feed the ducks and swans a little bit of tranquility in cardiff. Great for people of all ages.

Roath park is a great place to relax and chill in the summer sunshine. As a student its great to go there to unwind after exams or even to revise in the sunshine - makes the time go so much quicker. Its a lovely park with the large lake in the middle. You can go on the paddle boats or rowing boats in the lake in the summer which is pretty cool. For the kids theres loads of space to run around and a play park too. Also the ice creams in the cafe are great

You will need a whole day to visit and appreciate this green oasis. Start at the north end and stroll the length of the lake. Keep an eye out for the many ducks that have made it their home; rustle a paper bag and you will have an immediate audience.

At the south end of the lake the Cook memorial rises from the water, to mark his sailing from Cardiff docks on his ill-fated voyage to the South pole.

In the south-west corner is the boating shed where you can hire a boat to row yourself around the picturesque lake. (By the way, the lake was for many years the location of the Taff Swim, an endurance swim.) You can also pay for a ride on a large motor boat which gives you a leisurely trip.

When you have enjoyed this area, the gardeners amongst you may want to take the steps down to the garden area. This is maintained by the Parks and Gardens Dept. and there is a huge variety of flowers, ferns, and specialist trees. It is here that they develop new varieties. There is a huge hot-house which is worth your attention; in there you will find tropical and sub-tropical plants and some strange insects which are necessary for these exotic plants to survive.

If you have children there is a large play area with rides for all ages. In fact Roath Park has something for all ages from tiny tots to the retired gardener. I’m sure you will enjoy your day.

Lovely park - beautiful flower beds, and a wonderful lake to take a punt out and see the wildlife around the lake. Well worth a visit, take a picnic and enjoy a wonderful day out.

we went to the park in the summer and it was fab. took all 3 of my kids and they each loved it. the day we went they had a teddy bears picnic so there was quite a bit on.
we went on the boats which was great but we had to seperate as there was either a 2 or 4 boat and with being 5 of us it wasnt possible to go together.

Roath Park and Lake were like a home from home when I was growing up! It’s the ultimate free day out in Cardiff; somewhere to enjoy whatever your age! There’s a lovely walk around the lake or down to the wild gardens; a playpark for kids, with a particularly awesome slide! There are ducks to feed, boats to peddle, and ice creams to eat! Even as a student I could never stay away on a sunny day, it’s a lush place to sunbathe and chill! I’d highly recommend the park to anyone in Cardiff who wants to feel that they are out of the city. Another plus point is that it’s so easy to access, especially by bus. A perfect free day out in the capital!

This is a free day out, that is really fun. There is a playground for the kids, lots of pretty gardens and space to have a kick around. The peddle boats and row boats are great fun and reasonably priced - stay away from the swans they can be a bit violent!

There is something quite poetic about watching swans swim serenely by. The mallards and moorhens seem really stressed by comparison as they rush past you intent on their ducky business. Roath Park Lake gives you permission to stand (or sit) and watch the world go by. On a summer’s day there are rowing boats for hire too. On a winter’ day there is the warmth of the tropical glasshouses to enjoy. For every day in between, there are walks around the lake, a good children’s playground, and magnificent rose gardens. When you’ve had enough fresh air, the cafe overlooking the lake provides a decent enough cuppa (although its opening hours are a bit limited I’ve found.) There is also Thayers ice cream (a real treat) from the kiosk on the promenade in the warmer months.

I grew up on visits to Roath Park and it’s still a fabulous place. And it’s free! This is a place for a day out. Walk around the lake and laugh at the people trying to row around the lake. Then take a boat out and become part of the entertainment yourself!!! Feed the ducks. Then take the kids to the great playground. It;s huge. Beautiful gardens and tropical treehouses. Ice cream - cafe only open seasonally. A lovely day out.

If you come to Cardiff for a visit with children I would highly recommend a visit to Roath Park Lake. There is a huge children’s playground which is always inhabited by excited children. On the even bigger lake you can hire rowing boats or pedalos and take them out over the lake. The lake also has many swans, geese and ducks as residents who are always happy to be fed. For the adults there is a stunning flower garden to wander around, all labeled. There is a fixed ice cream stand there throughout the summer (and most of the winter too) and a cafe where drinks and snacks can be purchased.

Roath Park Lake in Cardiff is a very popular Victorian park with a timeless atmosphere. Lots of historic interest and a 30 acre lake. We recently took our grand children on the “Roath Pride” a motor launch which takes you around the lake. You can also hire pedalos and rowing boats there to take a jaunt around the lake - this is great fun! (and reasonably priced). The children’s play park there is one of the best in Cardiff and the café although “tired looking” is excellent . You can sit by the window on a cold day and enjoy the beautiful view. Roath Park Lake is justifiably always busy - you will see joggers, cyclists and walkers from early morning till it shuts in the evening.

Roath Park, with its gardens and huge lake is an ever popular spot for Cardiffians and visitors alike. You can take a ride on the 'Roath Pride’, a pleasure boat that will give you a tour of the lake’ alternatively you can hire a rowing boat or a pedalo. They also have beautiful flower gardens that have an amazing display of roses in summer and the smell is spectacular! The play area for children is really popular and the only downside to this is that children sometimes have to wait for the swings/slides etc. Its a great place to take some exercise, you will often see joggers, cyclists, walkers (and their dogs) at all times of the day. I would recommend watching the sun set from the lake, it’s beautiful.

A haven of tranquility in the bustling city. A great place to enjoy an afternoon, rowing on the lake or just chilling with an ice-cream. There’s also a fab park for children and some gorgeous gardens, particularly inspiring when in bloom. There’s also a huge greenhoused area with tropical plants.
A fantastic place to visit, great if you’re feeling the squeeze of the purse strings too as it’s free :D

Yes, a pretty place to visit on a nice sunny day. We took a pedalo out on the lake which was a lot of fun! A very attractive district of Cardiff, but not too far from the centre to visit.