Penarth is a seaside town situated next to Cardiff in South East Wales and is the second biggest town in the Vale of Glamorgan.
The town has many attractions including its beach and pier, leisure centres and community centres.
There is also a Country Park, which has lakes, and a Medieval Village. Cosmeston Park is well known for its lakes where people use it for things like surf boarding or canoeing.
The lakes came as a result of quarrying for lime. Swimming in the lakes has been banned because people have been known to drown in the past.
Even though there is plenty for the people to do there is still a lot of work to keep the youth of the town occupied.
There are youth organisations like Scouting and Guiding and sports clubs, but with children turning to things like computers the membership seems to be going down.
The town is expanding all the time with more and more houses being built near the borders and next to Cardiff Bay.
It has its own shopping centre with an arcade but with supermarkets being built in and around Cardiff all the time shops are closing or being taken over by charities.
Being close to Cardiff means that people can go for a night out with plenty of entertainment, or tour around its retail precinct on a shopping spree.
The town is also a seaside tourist attraction with hotels and there are boat trips around the Bristol Channel from the pier.
Penarth has been known as the garden by the sea with its parks by the Esplanade. People come to visit Penarth when they are staying in Cardiff or Barry Island.
There's a Holiday Festival every Summer which gets the community together with plenty of events ending with a parade of floats.
This goes through the town centre ending by the beach with an award for the best float - there is also a firework display from the pier.
your comments
Roelyne Chambost, Bay of Arcachon, France
I lived in Penarth for 28 years and owned a ladies clothes shop called La Parisienne. I was there for 20 years and met some wonderful people, many of them I miss and would love to see again. Penarth was a great place for me and my family. Now back to my roots in France and the only thing I don't miss is the lack of sunshine. Will love to come again for a holiday.
John Saunders, Melbourne, Australia
I spent the formative years of my life in Penarth, attending Penarth Grammar school form 1954 to 1961. They were some of the happiest years of my life and gave me the best education anyone could have had. I now live in Melbourne, Australia one of the world's most liveable cities - but Penarth was the best place anyone could ever have grown up in. The people were fantastic and I owe so much to the groundedness that being a Penarthian gave me. I am lucky enough to get back from time to time and little has changed. In summary the world is comprised of only two sorts of people - Penarthians and those who wish! they could be Penarthians!
Lita Barnes, Penarth
We are from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and my husband and I have lived in Penarth since January 2008. First year near Cosmestan Lakes and now near the Pier. We like the peacefulness and beauty of the old homes and all the friendly people.
Dennis Maniacup from Philippines
I visited Penarth and stayed for a month with a friend in 2006, and was captivated by the tranquil atmosphere. Much like a place where one would want to stay for their ripe years. The weather could get unpredictable most of the time, from sun to rain to hail to snow in one day, but I guess it is just me comparing the tropics where the sun shines 12 hours a day. I could live in Penarth and get lost in blissful peace, and maybe go to London every now and then to catch a dose of hustle-and-bustle.
Kylie Johnston, Hove
I remember visiting Penarth a few years ago, and it was a charming, tranquil town. The seafront was like something from another age, with an attractive pier, and Italian place selling ice-cream. It is in an amazingly well-placed spot near to Cardiff. I can well imagine that it's a very happy place to live.
Trish James from Cheltenham
I used to live in Marine Buildings back in 1978 - 1980. The building was all flats and it was just fab. Cold in winter though as we only had an electric fire in the lounge. The Marina was not like it is now. The far building which is now a restaraunt was the offices where you paid your rent and there was a room full of furniture. That place was massive with a fab staircase and I seem to recall a chandalier. We used to have picnics on the beach which then was just in front of the building. Happy days.
Quenton Annis Magarita - Venezuela.
Great town, been round the world filming, worked for HTV Wales, married twice in penarth, before freelance working in film and TV. Lived in 65 Gleebe St. and Windsor Terrace and Paget Road as well as Plassy Street. Now in the middle of a Venezuelan revolution and dreaming of my local for a pint, so say hello to Phill - if he still runs The pilot
David Haas from St Albert, Alberta, Canada
I heard about Penarth in researching the "hell ship voyage" of the Cutty Sark in 1880. It loaded coal at Penarth to take to Yokohama, Japan for the US Navy. Talk about a technological irony: a sailing ship carrying steamship coal. My grandfather was in coal mining in Tondu and elsewhere in south wales.
Krishna Pradhan, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
I stayed at the International House in Penarth in the academic year of 1968-1969. I was a graduate student at UWIST In Cardiff. I miss Penarth and Cardiff, and the time in the House very very much. I still feel the warmth of the love and care I received from the warden and his familythen. I hope to be there some spring in the near future.
Rose Glenn
I served as a gun layer (GL) in Lower Penarth back in 1944 as part of the defence forces for the UK, living it up in some Nissen huts a few hundred yards below the gun sites. The term Gun layer was a bit of a misnomer as in truth I was part of a close knit team of radar operators who tracked enemy aircraft and held them in the radar beam till our radar controlled guns could be brought to bear upon the incoming aircraft. Our OC was a Major Gover and we became known as Gover's Ladies. I have lots of memories of the posting there ... in those days it was frowned upon for women to do a mans job but eventually common sense prevailed and we became an accepted and valuable asset to the defence forces. I would dearly love to hear from anyone else who knew me at Lower Penarth... I'm now in my 85 the year and fear there are not many of us gals left.
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Joanne Young, Cardiff
I have worked in Tesco Penarth for 13 yrs and have enjoyed meeting the people from the local area. Penarth has developed a lot over the years and is very close to the up and coming Cardiff Bay which is a must see for all visitors to south Wales.
Al Seymour Sr, Bermuda
I was a journalism student staying at a place called International House in Penarth in 1973. I recall the friendliness of the people of Wales which made my stay educational and enjoyable. Most of all I remember the great singing of the Welsh people. I will always have a special memory when it comes to South Wales.
Lee Johnson, Sydney, Australia
Still have my house at Andrew Road, enjoyed the 3 yrs I lived there (originally a Swansea Jack!). Great atmosphere - would like to move back there when we return to sunny Wales. I do think the front could do with a little development now.
Philip Lewis, Alexandria, Virginia, USA
I was born in Penarth of English parents but with a Welsh name. I have fond memories of the Garden by the Sea (learned to swim in it there!). I have run into Welshmen all over the world, my most vivid memory was as a GI driving in Korea in 1953 during the war and seeing "Cymru am Byth" in large letters on a bridge across the road!
David Rams from Hamilton, Scotland
Lived in Penarth for a few years in the 80s. Married a Penarthian. On a recent visit I was so pleased to see that, apart from the new housing at the bay, very little has changed. Keep hold of your relaxed pace of life and preserve your Victorian splendour. Enjoyed visiting the old drinking places again, The Lion, The Pilot and The Railway to name but a few.
Colin Williams, Nashville, IN, USA
Try to keep the town's charm. How about no cars on the Esplanade!
Amber - Vienna, Austria
I grew up in Penarth and even though I moved away a few years ago I miss it a lot and look forward to visiting my family there and spending some time on the promenade.
Lloyd Jones from Penarth
I like Penarth pier. The scenery is just spectacular. I like to go down there to write my poems and do my art work.
Jeanette Hunt, Pocono, USA
My husband Peter comes from Penarth. We visit Wales every two years and are happy with the improvements that are made to the pier. We walk all over town with our two girls, educating them as to the history of Penarth. This Friday (March 3rd 2006) our eldest daughter will give a presentation on Penarth, Wales, to her seventh grade class since no-one knew where Wales is located and how did they get there. A shame but we shall continue with educating Americans of the beautiful land that Wales is and we hope the area will stay as beautiful and gracious as it was meant to be.
linda mills
could quite easily live here
Pete J Garbett - Leicester
I was born at 41, Salop Street (my grandmother’s house in 1954), and brought to Leicester as a baby, but we stayed in Penarth every summer. If my parents had not “emigrated”, I would almost certainly have attended Albert Road School. Last August, I went back for the first time since 1969. It’s a magical place, has changed remarkably little (apart from the Marina) in thirty-six years, and I agree wholeheartedly with Mike’s posting – let’s preserve it for posterity! Did you know that Saint Augustine’s church (where I was christened) has the remains of Joseph Parry in its graveyard? He wrote the words (in Welsh) and music of “Myfanwy” – a beautiful hymn beloved of male voice choirs.
Mike (33)
Penarth's seafront is small and underdeveloped because the old folks resist anything new being built. I say good for you! Make it beautiful again, as it used to be! Thats Penarth's style, not modern! Stop property barons demolishing the our HISTORY around the front!!!
Eliot Jones
We are planning to go to the lakes of Penarth this afternoon. I'll keep you informed.
Mike Dixon - Edmonton, Canada
So much has changed since I left 50 years ago,but a walk along the path on the cliffs is still a joy when I visit. Sorry to see that it is so narrow now, and wish the erosion could be prevented. But the delightful view is still the same.
Ken Thomas - Bangor
My mother used to say to me: People will ask you where were you born. No-one will know where Penarth is so just say - The posh part of Cardiff
Brian, Penarth
The Cosmeston lakes weren't created to obtain lime as such, but for the shale and limestone which were used to make Portland cement. Not all the material was used and some was returned to the quarry. At one time the dust from the works covered most of Lower Penarth and banging a bush along the cliff walk with a stick used to produce a small dust cloud, as well as a couple running away clutching their underclothes.
