Cosmeston Lakes Country Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cosmeston Lake |
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from the East
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 Cosmeston Lake
Location in Vale of Glamorgan
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| Location | Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, U.K. |
| Coordinates | 51°25′N 3°11′W / 51.417°N 3.183°W |
| Type | artificial, flooded quarry |
| Basin countries | United Kingdom |
| Surface area | 15 ha (37 acres) |
| Max. depth | 9 m (30 ft) |
| Islands | one |
| Settlements | Cosmeston Medieval Village |
Cosmeston Lakes Country Park is a fun public park in Great Britain. It's owned and looked after by the Vale of Glamorgan Council. You can find it between Penarth and Sully, Vale of Glamorgan, about 11.7 kilometres (7.3 miles) from Cardiff.
On May 1, 2013, this country park became a Local Nature Reserve. This means it's a special place for nature. Some parts of the park are even Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). These areas protect rare plants and animals. The park, its visitor centre, and cafe are open all year round for everyone to enjoy!
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Discovering Cosmeston Lakes
The main attractions at this country park are its two big lakes. A bridge on the main walking path, called 'mile road', divides them. The park covers over 100 hectares of land and water. It has many different natural areas, called habitats.
Some of these habitats are special protected areas. They are called Sites of Special Scientific Interest (S.S.S.I.). These areas help protect the park's unique and rare plants and animals. Inside the country park, you can also explore the amazing Cosmeston Medieval Village. This village is a reconstruction of a 14th-century village. It was found when the park was being built. Many people say it's the best of its kind in Britain!
A Look Back: Park History
The land where Cosmeston Lakes Country Park now stands used to be farmland. It was made up of small fields owned by croft farms. Farming here was tough because of the limestone ground and many natural springs that kept the land wet.
From Quarry to Country Park
The site later became a busy limestone quarry. It was owned by companies like British Portland Cement Manufacturers and Blue Circle. Quarrying started in 1886 and cement production began in 1889. The limestone from here was used to make cement at a large factory nearby. This factory stood until 1970.
The busiest year for cement making was 1962. They made 175,000 tons of cement that year! Many of the old paving slabs in Penarth were made using 'Dragon' brand cement from this factory. The factory closed in November 1969, and the quarries stopped working in June 1970.
After the quarries closed, two of the big holes were used for landfill. But the other two holes filled up naturally with water. This is how the beautiful lakes you see today were formed!
Creating the Park
The park was then developed and opened in 1978. Money from the Countryside Commission helped make it happen. A circular path was built around the lake. Wooden walkways were added over the wet areas. While they were building the paths and clearing the land, they found something amazing! They discovered the remains of an old village. This village was then carefully dug up and rebuilt. Today, it's a popular visitor attraction.
The park's eastern side is next to the historic Glamorganshire Golf Club.
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Fun Things to Do at the Park
Cosmeston Lakes Country Park has lots of great facilities for visitors. You'll find plenty of car parking, including spaces for coaches. There are also picnic benches where you can enjoy a meal outdoors. Kids will love the adventure play area!
If you bring a boat, there are facilities to clean it after you've been on the water. You can also hire BBQ areas for a fun outdoor cookout. The park has an information centre, a cafe, and an ice cream kiosk for treats.
Wildlife and Water Sports
The lakes are home to many different water birds. You can spot swans, mallards, grebes, and coots, among others. The eastern part of the lake is open for non-motorised water sports. This means clubs that don't use engines can use the lake. These clubs need to be connected with the Vale of Glamorgan Council.
The Ranger Service
The Ranger Service at Cosmeston Lakes Country Park offers special environmental education programs. These programs are for primary schools and other groups. They run all year round, teaching visitors about nature and the environment.
