Details
Bute Park offers an extensive area of mature parkland within Cardiff’s city centre boasting a nationally-significant tree collection, numerous natural play features for the young (or young-at-heart), an education centre, three cafes, and a wealth of horticulture and wildlife interest.
There is plenty to do in the park and you can pick up a variety of self-led trails to guide you on certain activities and topics. Situated beyond Cardiff Castle just a short walk from the city’s main high streets and civic centre, Bute Park really is the “green heart of the city”
Dog-Friendly and a lot of dog events are held at this park.
Prefered to keep dogs on a lead near entrances as they are near main roads.
Perfect for a picnic
lots of photo opportunities
Bute Park is open 365 days a year from 7.30 am – 30 mins before sunset.
History
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Over the centuries the land we know as Bute Park has gone through many changes. Attracted by the river and the castle, people have settled here, and their activities have shaped the landscape. From agriculture and industry to a private estate with pleasure gardens, to a public park fit for a modern city; Bute Park reflects the history of Cardiff’s development. The park is rich in history with a number of important heritage features to visit. Cardiff Castle, the famous Animal Wall, Gorsedd Stones, Mill Leat, site of Blackfriars Friary, the Dock Feeder Canal and West Lodge are just a sample of the park’s rich history. Bute Park got its name in 1948 in honour of the 5th Marquess of Bute who had gifted the castle and its grounds to the people of Cardiff a year earlier. Additional land was purchased from the Bute Estate to form the area we now know as Bute Park
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Things at Bute Park :
The Bute Park Education Centre is the hub for learning, training and fun in Bute Park! -
The centre is open for public drop-in at certain times and also available for hire by schools and private groups. The Council also use it as the training base for the parks apprenticeship programme and as a venue for the park’s volunteer programme.
Free WiFi and toilets (including disabled and baby change) are available at the site.
Attractions
The Animal Wall
Located at the southern boundary of the park on Castle Street, is one of the most delightful and photographed historic features in Cardiff.
The wall was moved and relocated west of the Castle in 1923 due to the widening of Duke Street, and six extra animals were added. The six additional animals were the vulture, beaver, leopard, a pair of racoons, a pelican and an anteater. These later carved animals have a more stylised form and no glass eyes.
Models of each animal were made for Lord Bute’s approval and two, including a “sea horse”, were rejected.
Woodland Play Trail
Hidden in the woods behind the Summerhouse Café, 11 outdoor play items create an exciting and fun woodland balance trail for youngsters or the young-at-heart.
There are also many other natural play features around the park including several interpretative sculptures and seats, plus living and fallen trees. When climbing any of these please do so safely and responsibly.
Fitness Trail
Along the path around Blackweir playing fields you will find our fitness trail which features the following 8 fitness stations:
Push Up
Hyperextension Bench
Parallel Bars
Sit Up Bench
Dip Station
Chin Up
Horizontal Ladder
Leg Lift
The fitness trail is available for free use all year round and is a great way to diversify your running training or try new exercises without having to go to a gym.
Herbaceous Border
renowned ‘herbaceous border’ runs parallel to the river Taff from the summerhouse café to the site of black friars friary and is a striking display of perennial and herbaceous plants.
Mill Leat
The water body follows the line of a 12th-century mill stream, which was originally constructed to bring water from the river Taff to power corn mills.
How to get there:
If you are using a mobile device, the postcode for the park is CF10 3DX, but please note this is for guidance only as the park covers a large area.
Pay and display car parking facilities are available nearby in Sophia Gardens (CF11 9LJ), Castle Mews (CF10 3ER) and North Road (CF10 3EA).
Bute Park is very accessible by public transport.
The West Gate entrance at the southern end of Bute Park is roughly 10 minutes walk from Cardiff Central station and 15 minutes walk from Cardiff Queen Street.
lucyinvestigates
21/01/2020 at 8:14 pmHuge park
Bute park is a very large park, lots of space for sniffs and adventures. The car park is really large too and the cafe is brilliant.