This page helps you find out more about Bute Park. (Including Coopers Field and Blackweir)

Transcription

1 This page helps you find out more about Bute Park. (Including Coopers Field and Blackweir) Bute Park Useful information is set out under the following headings: Summary Features of interest Facilities Access Nearby What You Said Information and Contacts Summary An extensive area of mature parkland easily accessible from the city centre. Flanked by the River Taff, Sophia gardens, Pontcanna Fields and Cardiff Castle, Bute Park is a very popular green lung full of historic and wildlife interest. Few cities have such a spacious green area in the heart of their city. Features of interest History Due to its location at the historic core of Cardiff, Bute Park contains a wealth of historic interest dating back to Roman and medieval times. Cardiff Castle, the famous Animal Wall, the Gorsedd Stones and the Blackfriars site are just a sample of the park s rich history. Today s parkland appearance owes much to the landscape design carried out by the Bute Estate in the late Victorian era. In 1947, the Marquis of Bute presented the park to the Council. Nature The size of the park and its variety of habitats make Bute Park a haven for wildlife. It is possible to see a great variety of wildlife including Woodpecker s, Kingfisher s, Egret s and Bat s.

2 The woodlands adjoining the River Taff contain an excellent spring flora and there is an interesting range of Wax Cap Fungi within sections of closely mown lawn in the arboretum Salmon and sea trout can be viewed on Blackweir. Recreation Football, rugby and cricket pitches are provided at Blackweir Fields to the north of the park. A Trim Trail loops around the southern part of the park. Large grassed areas are used for informal recreation- a great place for a picnic. Arboretum An interesting mix of rare and ornamental trees have been planted since 1947 to compliment some excellent specimens that formed part of the original park design. Many of the trees are known to be the biggest examples of their species anywhere in the UK. Special Events Many large cultural and sporting events are organised in the park, taking advantage of the park s excellent setting and accessibility. See the Parks Website for information about current events. Ornamental Features A well stocked herbaceous border flanks the path running alongside the River Taff, the plants coming from the Parks Nursery located in the park. See the Parks Website, Illustrated Plant Guide for more information. Public Art The park hosts a number of interesting artworks including wood carvings and an ironwork sundial. Dock Feeder Canal Previously used for transporting coal and linking with Cardiff Docks, the canal now forms a tranquil corridor along the eastern edge of the park. River Taff The waters of the Taff run along the western edge of the park providing great visual and wildlife interest. Each Autumn, Salmon and Sea Trout can be seen jumping up the weir below the footbridge at Blackweir.

3 Access Within Facilities Changing Rooms are provided for the pitches at Blackweir Toilets and other facilities are available in the nearby city centre. However, facilities will be provided in future years as part of the improvements proposed for the park. A comprehensive network of generally flat, hard surfaced paths. In addition, a number of informal paths run through woodlands and along the canal towpath that may not be accessible for all. The Taff Trail can be accessed at the northern end of Blackweir Fields. Getting There By foot - Entrances from the city centre, via footbridges at Sophia Gardens and Pontcanna/Blackweir together with the Taff Trail running north. By bus - Numerous bus routes pass through the city centre adjacent to the park. Cardiff Bus Station is located approximately 700 metres from the park. Details of bus routes can be found at By train - Cardiff Central Station is located approximately 800 metres from the park. Details of train services can be found at By boat - A water bus service linking Bute Park with Cardiff Bay will be opening in the near future. A water bus stop is located adjacent to Canton Bridge at the southern end of the park. By car- Numerous car parks are located within the adjacent city centre.

4 Nearby Bute Park is located in the very heart of the city centre so access is easy to a wide range of facilities including shopping centre, Millennium Stadium, restaurants/bars, theatre, cinemas and museum. Access is also good to other open spaces: Pontcanna Fields & Sophia Gardens Extensive parkland just across the two footbridges over the River Taff. Taff Trail to north which links up with Hailey Park (approx 3km). Forest Farm (approx 6km) and to the countryside beyond. Taff Trail to south which links to Hamadrayad Park (approx 2.5Km). Cardiff Bay Wetland Reserve (approx 3km) and Cardiff Bay (approx 3.5km) What You Said It is unique, the heart and lungs of our fab city: no traffic, no fumes, few buildings. The delights of each season can be felt in a way that mostly gets lost in cities Beautiful gardens, flowers, walks next to the River Taff, in the middle of a busy city. It s like an oasis of calm away from traffic, people and grime We are so lucky in Cardiff to have this open space in the heart of our city. Each day I walk this wonderful park crossing and re-crossing the river, strolling through the woods and fields, watching the birds - three species of woodpecker in a city centre! How special is that! I love to talk to visitors and hear the envy in their voices that we have such a park in our city centre I like the fact that the park is so well used by all ages and is accessed by individuals and families from a wide variety of different backgrounds and cultures. It is a fab place to go at any time of year, always my first choice for recreation on a fine day and is a strong influencing factor in where I chose to live within the city

5 Caerphilly Ridge cont. Bute Park cont... Information and Contacts The park is owned by Cardiff County Council and managed by the Parks Section. Further information about the park and any current events can be obtained from the Parks Website. Parks Service Cardiff County Council Heath Park, King George V Drive, Cardiff. CF14 4EP Tel: parks@cardiff.gov.uk