A lake with a lighthouse in it
Roath Park opened in 1894 on land given by the Marquess of Bute. It still runs on the plan the Victorians gave it. A long artificial lake, made by damming the Nant Fawr stream, fills the middle, and the paths, gardens and lawns are arranged around it.
At the southern end, a white clock tower shaped like a lighthouse stands out on the water. This is the Scott Memorial. It remembers Captain Robert Falcon Scott, whose ship Terra Nova left Cardiff in 1910 on the Antarctic expedition he did not return from. Of everything in the park, this is the view people photograph most.
Walking the water’s edge
The best way to see the park is a full circuit of the lake. Lake Road West and Lake Road East run along either side. The southern end has a wide promenade with Victorian railings, which is where most people lean, look and feed time to the swans.
On a slow walk the loop takes around 45 minutes. Along the way you’ll pass:
- The lighthouse and promenade, the busiest stretch, near the boat moorings.
- Wooded islands in the lake, left to nest on, where geese, swans and cormorants gather.
- The northern end, where the lake thins back into the Nant Fawr and the paths turn quieter and leafier.
Boat hire on the lake runs in the warmer months, but it is seasonal. Check what’s operating before you promise it to children.
The gardens below the dam
The lake is only part of the park. South of the promenade, the older pleasure gardens hold the rose garden, the botanic and wild gardens, and the glasshouse known as Roath Park Conservatory. Before you plan around the conservatory, check whether it is currently open, as its access has varied in recent years.
The botanic area suits a slower visit: winding paths, labelled trees and a small stream running through it. The rose garden is at its peak in early summer. In spring, the flowering trees along the lake paths are the reason many Cardiff residents come back every year.
Getting to Roath Park
The park sits about two miles north of Cardiff city centre, between the suburbs of Roath, Penylan and Cyncoed. The official address is Lake Road West, CF23 5PA.
- On foot: from Queen Street it’s roughly a 40-minute walk north through Roath. The walk up Albany Road and Wellfield Road passes plenty of cafés.
- By train: Heath High Level and Heath Low Level stations are both a walk of 15–20 minutes to the north end of the lake.
- By bus: several Cardiff Bus routes run up from the centre towards Roath and Cyncoed. Check the Cardiff Bus journey planner for the current route numbers.
- By car: parking is on the street along the lake roads and the residential streets nearby. It fills up quickly on fine weekends.
Sharing the promenade with Cardiff
This is one of the most-used parks in the city, and on any sunny weekend it shows. Runners, buggies, dog walkers and school groups all share the same lakeside paths. Here’s how to fit in with them:
- Keep left and keep moving on the narrow lake paths. Runners circle the loop, and people stopping three abreast is the main source of friction.
- Skip the bread. Feeding wildfowl is part of the tradition here, but UK wildlife groups advise against bread. Bring oats, seeds or birdseed instead.
- Card is fine at the café and kiosks. Most payments in Cardiff are contactless.
- Dogs are welcome across most of the park but not in the playground. Watch for signs in the formal gardens.
- Go early for a peaceful lake. The gates are listed as opening at 6am. A visit soon after opening usually beats the families and the boat-hire crowd, who arrive later in the morning.
Planning the day around it
Most visitors need two to three hours: a loop of the lake, a wander through the gardens and a stop at the café. With children, add time for the adventure playground. The sports facilities, including tennis courts and bowling greens, are mostly used by local clubs and regulars.
Google currently lists the park as open 6am–10pm every day this week. Parks change their hours with the seasons, though, so check the Cardiff Council website if you’re planning a dawn or evening visit. Afterwards, the independent cafés and restaurants on Wellfield Road and Albany Road are a ten-minute walk south.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Roath Park from Cardiff city centre?
It's about two miles north of the centre. You can walk it in roughly 40 minutes via Albany Road and Wellfield Road, take a Cardiff Bus towards Roath or Cyncoed (check the current routes on the Cardiff Bus journey planner), or catch a train to Heath High Level or Heath Low Level and walk 15–20 minutes to the north end of the lake.
Is there parking at Roath Park?
There is no large dedicated car park. Parking is on the street along Lake Road West and Lake Road East and in the residential streets around them, and it fills quickly on sunny weekends.
How long does it take to walk around Roath Park Lake?
A gentle loop of the lake takes around 45 minutes. Allow two to three hours if you also want to see the botanic garden, the rose garden and the café.
What is the lighthouse in Roath Park?
It is the Scott Memorial, a clock tower built in the shape of a lighthouse. It commemorates Captain Scott, whose Antarctic expedition ship Terra Nova sailed from Cardiff in 1910.
What are Roath Park's opening hours?
Google currently lists the park as open 6am–10pm daily this week. Park hours can change with the seasons, so check the Cardiff Council website for the current times.
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