Cardiffs Bute Park is a renowned area of greenery that is located near the centre of the city. Loved by locals and visitors alike, the park is distinctive in its location in the midst of a busy urban area. Very popular for a relaxing stroll or a variety of sports, Bute Park is also of interest for wildlife lovers and history enthusiasts. The park is bordered by such well-known landmarks as the Sophia Gardens, the River Taff, Cardiff Castle and Pontcanna Fields.
The expansive size of the park and the variety of different environments it contains make it a naturalists dream with a multitude of interesting flora and fauna. The park and its woodland environs provide a rich variety of picturesque trees and plants including a not often seen display of wax cap fungi within its arboretum. A wide range of wildlife may be seen at the park including typical woodland denizens like grey squirrels, bats, kingfishers, woodpeckers and egrets. The adjoining waters feature sea trout and salmon.
The parks arboretum includes trees planted early in its history as well as more recent additions. The appealing mix of ornamental and rare trees is given added significance as some of them are Champion Trees, the biggest of their kind in the entire United Kingdom.
As Bute Park is situated near the centre of Cardiffs historic location, it lays claim to a varied historical legacy stretching back to medieval and Roman eras. Cultural highlights include the famed Animal Wall, Cardiff Castle, Blackfriars site and the Gorsedd stones, each with its own story to tell. The park as it stands today was laid out from 1873 onwards by Andrew Pettigrew, the 3rd Marquess of Butes Head Gardener.
For the sports enthusiast rugby, football and cricket pitches are available towards the parks north, in an area known as Blackweir Fields. Bute Park contains innumerable sites in which to have a relaxing picnic, with many shady grassed lawns. Nearby the visitor will find the Welsh Institute of Sport and the SWALEC Stadium.
Visitors in search of a suitable
Cardiff hotel will find all that they seek in the Copthorne Hotel Cardiff Caerdydd. This comfortable
hotel Cardiff calls its own provides well appointed rooms and all necessary facilities for a convenient stay.
