Bute Park

Ask any Cardiffian their most cherished city attraction and there’s a high chance they’ll point you here. It’s certainly my favourite. A sprawling saga of lawns and woodlands, just moments from the castle in the centre of town, it’s a beautiful hideaway that stretches for miles and leads to the mountains in the north of the city via the Taff trail, a stunning track that walks arm in arm with the city’s stately river. It’s also one of the most picturesque ways of getting from one side of the city to the other.

Like much of the city, Bute Park is steeped in history with traces of its original medieval use linked to the castle. Now home to an arboretum, sports fields and a wonderful al fresco eatery The Summerhouse, Bute Park remains as well loved as it was a thousand years ago. It often plays host to international events, concerts and festivals. And while it remains one of the most popular destinations in the city, its size and shape ensures a spot you can call your own on every visit.