See a panoramic view of Roath Park lake
See a panoramic view of the rose garden
There are several parks in Cardiff, amounting to 2700 acres, or 10% of land area but what makes Roath Park such a favourite?
Opened in 1894, the park boasts what is probably the largest man-made lake within a city boundary. It took seven years to transform the marshy bog-land, donated to the Cardiff Corporation by the Marquis of Bute, into 130 acres of parkland. There are rose and dahlia gardens, a sub-tropical greenhouse, and a playground. On the lake, which is popular with fishermen and boaters, a lighthouse has been erected in tribute to Captain Scott, who set sail on his ill-fated voyage to the Antarctic from Cardiff.
The islands - a wildlife haven
The lake's four islands are the only part of the park not accessible to the public. This is in order to provide a haven for birds and other wildlife. About 30 cormorants roost on the islands' trees - you might see them drying out their wings, fishing for roach, rudd, carp or the brown trout remaining from the lake's past as a fishery.
There are plenty of eels in the lake, and it's not unheard of to see cormorants wrestling with their reluctant prey. If there was enough food at sea, the cormorants wouldn't need to take advantage of the abundance of fish in the lake.
Thanks to conservation efforts there is suitable nesting ground for birds amongst the islands' oak, beech, alder and hawthorn. The numerous Canada, farmyard hybrid and greylag hybrid geese strip the islands bare, so evergreens, such as laurel, are removed to encourage more deciduous planting. These, along with the reed areas which have been introduced, provide nesting material and cover.
Controlling geese numbers
Many wild birds are scared off by the abundance of geese in the park so conservationists are taking steps to control their numbers. Wardens place fibreglass eggs in freshly built nests. These look-alikes are convincing enough to fool the geese into sitting on them and this action plus removal of eggs is helping to control numbers. This approved method requires a licence from Welsh Assembly Government.
It's hoped that other animals, such as otters, will also benefit from this work. There are some otters in the area, and the wardens intend to build an otter holt in the near future to provide shelter and protection for these elusive creatures. They hope that by encouraging our native otters to the park that they will out-compete the unpopular mink.
Since being brought to the UK for breeding in fur farms American mink escapees have been spreading throughout the UK, and Roath Park is no exception. Mink attack young birds and fish.
'Alien invaders'
Another foreign species to make its way to the UK was first discovered in Wales in Roath Park in 2000. The 'alien' girdled snail is from the Mediterranean and first arrived in Devon in 1950, probably as a stowaway among imported garden plants. It has since spread north and scientists at the National Museum of Wales together with schools and communities - an initiative called SCAN - are tracking its whereabouts to find out what effect global warming has on our wild inhabitants.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?
Roath Park set another record in the late 1990s when an unnatural inhabitant hit the headlines. Following the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle craze pet shops were inundated with requests for terrapins from America and Asia. When the tiny creatures they bought grew into dinner-plate sized creatures, the novelty wore thin and thousands of terrapins were released into lakes nationwide.
The National Terrapin Project's 1997 survey revealed that Roath Park contained 125 of these unwanted pets - more than any other urban lake. When they demonstrated a liking for chick eggs, small animals and birds - not to mention biting human fingers - many were rounded up and sent off to a terrapin centre in Italy. Now there are far fewer in the lake, but because they live to an old age and are probably still being released when they outgrow their pet tanks, they do persist at Roath Park.
Native park life
It's not all exotic creatures at the park. The ornamental birds which were once encouraged are now being naturally replaced by our wild birds. You might come across some of the following during your visit:
- Coots and great crested grebes nest side by side on the lake
- Kingfishers and dipper can be found on Nant Fawr Brook which feeds into the lake
- There are already more than 100 swans in the park, which are best seen in winter. About 30-40 signets are expected in 2005
- Herons can be seen in the early mornings before the crowds arrive. The wardens have built platforms to encourage them to nest
- Look out for visiting little gulls in the spring and autumn
- There are gulls, moorhens, mallards and other ducks to admire. Do resist the urge to feed them bread as some find carbohydrates hard to digest. Surplus of bread is bad for the water quality too and can attract rodents. If you want to feed them grain and seeds will provide the nutrients and roughage they need.
your comments
Jacob Jones from Newport
Does anyone know about the carp fishing? I am very keen to give it a shot down there. So any tips would help.
Dean+ Pippa from Cardiff
As children we both were taken to Roath park by our parents we both now take our own children.We have very fond memories and enjoy walking around feeding ducks going on the boats picnics etc. What we are both most disappointed with though is the constant state of the public toilets. We have been to Sophia Gardens and the toilets there are far better. Come on Cardiff council, sort this out as it is a blot on the landscape.
Bernadette Jones Whitchurch, Cardiff
Can anyone let me know the distance around the lake or where I could find out? I like running around it but am never sure how far it is! Many thanks
Harri from Blackwood
I love Roath Park but I really was disapointed when the night fishing was banned. What a lot of people don't know is that it is the home to one of the biggest fish in Wales and that's why we spend our nights trying to catch one.
Lorraine Greatorex from Cardiff
Can anyone please identify the large ducks/geese mainly black but with white fronts going up the neck and front of the face, but black around the eyes? We have only seen them near the islands on the Lake Road West side, and only two of them.
John Telford from Cardiff
My wife and I love to walk around the lake and parks at Roath. Our favourite spot is by the wonderful Cedar of Lebanon.This tree seems to be in very good condition. But it will be removed/cut down within the next three weeks, as it has a fungus witch they say,will make it unsafe. It could fall tomorrow or more probably in 50 years time.I and many other people would like proof of this. We don't want to just stand by and watch this beautiful tree being destroyed.
Rebecca Saunders from Cardiff
The boats can be used by all ages, although I think younger teenagers have to be accompianed by an adult.
Anna-Marie Cardiff
Does anyone know the age limits for the rowing boats? Only I would like to go down there with some friends.
Anthony de Torres, Pembrokeshire
My Parents and Grandparents used to take me to Roath Park as a Child, I remember it as a wonderful place and enjoyed going into the glass house, and looking for Terrapins. I haven't been there for a number of years, so next time I am in Cardiff I shall make the effort to go. Are the big slides still there?
Fred Cubbie from Cardiff
Fishing Roath Park.I enjoy a day's fishing like any other angler but Roath Park seems to attract anglers that put a tent up and stay for day's on end. I have seen these so called anglers using the bankside as a toilet yet there is a public toilet, they are very noisy at night and can be very unsociable when I try to speak to them.Can anything be done about these anglers/vagrants to prevent them spending night after night on this wonderful park?
Nadia Griffin, Cardiff
I have spent many hours sat at Roath Park watching all the types of birds and in doing so gain so much pleasure. And to see so many other people there enjoying themselves, it is a wonderful place to sit and reflect on things.
C. Griffiths, Cardiff.
What a wonderful sight Roath Park is in Autumn. Although there aren't many flowers the trees and bushes look so beautiful showing their Autumn colours. I have visited many times, and in all seasons, but only now that I'm in the Autumn of my own life do I fully appreciate it.
Jack from Cardiff
All of these are so true and interesting in so many different ways. It amazes me how much of a wide selection of wildlife there is.
B Morgan, Cardiff
Why has the lake been drained?
Jackie Bassett ex Cardiff now Sydney Australia
I have spent much of my childhood and adult life exploring Roath Park. So many beautiful memories. It is a place I make sure I take my children to now, when visiting every couple of years. Well done to the wardens and team that maintain it to the standard that never fails to impress. Thank you.
Lou
A paradise in Wales. Anybody wishing to find via sat nav, the post code to the lake is CF23 5PG.
Dennis Courtney ex Cardiff now Adelaide South Aust
I was discussing Roath Park with my dentists wife whose grandfather and father used to be the gardeners there. It was always a special treat to spend a day at the park, the trolley bus ride, the paddling pool, and a special treat the paddle boats. Our little fish nets after minnows and stickle backs, the big iron rocking horse. We used to sit by the old stove they had there so the mums could make a cup of tea, the swans and ducks that came after your sandwiches. They were marvelous times as children back in the late 40s early 50s. I see by your article that things have changed but it still sounds it is still a magnificent place.
Julie Glover, Cwmbran
Roath Park is a wonderful and magical place. Today I sat on a bench remembering all the times I've spent there, there are so many. If I think back it is always good memories, a few surprises and a few shocks, but mostly good. I sat and sketched the clock tower today (that's a first, never had the time before). If you haven't been, I highly recommend it. I'm 51 and I've got a lot more to see and enjoy for many years to come. The wildlife is fabulous, the best I've seen for many a year.
Margaret Lloyd, Bridgend
Roath Park is a wonderful place and the lake is fantastic. I used to be taken on day trips there as a child and have since taken my own children and grandchildren. There is something for everyone to enjoy. A stroll around the lake is so peaceful and enjoyable. I have many wonderful photographs of the birds there and also of our family enjoying a day out, everyone in the photos is always so happy.
Maria Fouracre, Cardiff
Every Saturday morning, I used to go to Roath Park to feed the ducks with my grandfather. Now, as I have a Saturday job, we go on Sundays instead! I think that the park is a wonderful sanctuary for the wildlife that are inhabitants there. I have also been trying to find out about the pair of black swans but I cannot find any information about them anywhere!
Bikster
Kumar, if you get a number 28 from cardiff bus station or a number 29 they will take you to the lake. They run every 20 mins or for a more frequent service you can get a 57/58 and get off at the rec - a playing field at the end of roath park. You can then enjoy a walk past the greenhouse and flower gardens before reaching the lake itself. These buses run every 7-8 mins mon-sat or call traveline on 08706082608 for more information.
T Caine of Cardiff
My Wife and I regularly walk around the lake, and hardly ever find anything to complain about, but yesterday we found that the water had very much diminished. What is the reason for this?
Jesamine Noakes from Caerphilly
I've been going to Roath Park for as long as I can remember, I'm now 23. I went there today and even though it wasn't particularly sunny, I thoroughly enjoyed myself! There are loads of swans there, along with ducks, geese and other waterfowl I don't even know the names of!
A great day out!
Kumar from Cardiff
I cannot find travel directions by bus or walk, how to get there is a mystery!!! Why is it so poorly organised as far as travel directions are concerned, anyone post how to get to this Roath lake from city centre by walk or bus??
Trevor Jones from Bristol
I used to spend a lot of time around Roath Park in the '70's and 80's waiting for the time to pick up a load as I ran my transport business at this time. It was great to see the various birds and the lake, really enjoyable and the Thayers ice cream shop around the corner did not go amiss either. I have not been near there since 1990, so must come over and have a wander around.
Chris Shawyer/Caerphilly
Recovering from a serious illness, my husband now takes great pleasure in walking around the lake with me and stopping off for a coffee half way around. We are now looking forward to the warmer weather to start our walks again.This has aided his recovery.
Chris Shawyer
Alun Howell Caerffili
I was very surprised at the numbers of birds and the variety, including a pair of black swans. These have not been mentioned so are they rare in this country?
J Shaw from Newport
In 1966, as a 6 year old girl, I accidently fell into the Lake whilst messing about on the pleasure cruiser during a day trip to Roath Park, although I remember being dragged back onto the boat, I didnt realise that 2 men had bravely jumped into save me, in fact my only worry and upset as a 6 year old was the fact that my little yellow handbag that I was holding, and with lots of pennies in there, had fallen to the bottom of that lake! It did not turn us off going back to the lake, and now I take my children/grandchildren, to enjoy a wonderful day at Roath park.
Bernadette Payne( France)
I went to Lady Mary High school and lived in Birchgrove and Lisvane.
Consequently I walked past and round this park every day for 7 years without really realising what a brilliant place it is.
Now I realise!
Louise Jones, ex-Cardiff now in Australia
As a child I always loved Roath Park. The happy memories from childhood of this special place will stay will me forever. I am now living in Australia - if people say they are going to Wales I always say you must visit Roath Park.
Graham Bevan
To whom it is concern....My dear late father (Cyril James Bevan) served his time with the company who build the lighthouse in Roath Park and also worked in building it. He worked for this company Tucker Brothers of Broadway for well over 40 years. Like many other historical buildings in Cardiff which this company worked on may I say they are a credit to the city of Cardiff.
Richard Cornock (warden)
Out of the seven eggs shown on last week's programme (May 2005), five have now hatched into healthy cygnets. Let's hope more people look to enjoy the wildlife as well as the park. Thanks to the BBC for highlighting the wildlife value of Roath Park and the city of Cardiff.
Lindsay McNally from Cardiff
What a wonderful way to describe our local beauty spot,Roath Park Lake, as I have spent many happy years as a youngster there, and to see the numerouse number of birds that live there. As a local, we don't really appreciate what is on our doorstep, and should take more interest in our environment.
