Llandaff Fields facts for kids
Llandaff Fields is a big, open park area in Cardiff, Wales. It stretches from the city centre up towards northern Cardiff. This park is owned by Cardiff Council, who also take care of it. It's a popular spot for people living nearby. The park has many tree-lined paths and large grassy spaces. It's also a great place for playing sports!
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A Look Back: Park History
Llandaff Fields became a public park in 1898. Cardiff Council bought the land from the Thompson Family, who used to own mills. This area was always an important route between the city centre and the Llandaff area.
Over time, the park grew bigger. In 1879, it expanded north and joined up with Pontcanna Fields. Between 1899 and 1901, more sports facilities were added. These included three cricket pitches, a hockey pitch, and a tennis court. There were even plans for a swimming pool, but it closed in the early 1990s.
In 1923, a gardening magazine mentioned some cool features. These included a fountain pool, a rock garden, and a fern area. Sadly, these features are no longer there. During wartime, about 40 acres (160,000 m2) of the fields were used for growing food.
In 2008, a big Welsh festival called the National Eisteddfod took place here. After the festival, parts of the fields stayed very wet for a while. Because of this, Cardiff Council later planned to spend £400,000 to fix the sports pitches. They added special drains under the ground to help with water.
In 2010, there was a plan to build a car park near the park. However, Cardiff Council said no. They felt it would spoil the park's look and take away open space. They also worried it would make traffic worse.
Exploring the Park's Landscape
Llandaff Fields is a mix of huge mown grassy areas and wooded spots. These woodlands are home to different kinds of wildlife. The park sits in the valley of the River Taff. You'll see many old, tall trees here, like Horse Chestnut and Lime trees.
The park has wide grassy areas with paved paths for walking. Roads surround the park on most sides, except to the east. This is where you'll find most of the fun things to do.
Where is Llandaff Fields?
Llandaff Fields and the nearby Pontcanna Fields create a large green space. They are located on the west side of the River Taff. This green area stretches from the city centre all the way to the west of Llandaff. Just south of this area is Sophia Gardens. On the other side of the river, you'll find Bute Park.
You can easily walk into the park from the streets around it. The Taff Trail, a popular cycle route, runs through Pontcanna Fields, which is just north of Llandaff Fields. Buses also run along Cathedral Road and Cardiff Road, which are to the south and east of the park.
The main offices for WJEC (an exam board) are located just beyond the northern edge of the fields. The University of Wales Institute Cardiff's Llandaff campus is also nearby.
Park Facilities and Fun Activities
Llandaff Fields has many sports pitches for different games. There are also tennis courts and areas for bowls. Kids can have fun at the playground. The Llandaff Fields Tennis Club is based right here in the park. For visitors, there are changing rooms, toilets, and parking available.
