Bute Park & Arboretum

About

Bute Park & Arboretum is Cardiff’s green heart, stretching across 130 acres behind the castle and along the River Taff. Once the private grounds of the Bute family, it was gifted to the city in 1947 and now offers a rare blend of historic landscape, wildlife, and nationally significant trees. The arboretum holds over 3,000 catalogued specimens, including more Champion Trees than any other UK public park, with species ranging from native oaks to exotic ginkgo and rare Siberian elm. Visitors can enjoy riverside walks, ornamental gardens, wildflower meadows, and the famous Animal Wall, as well as remnants of a medieval friary. Three cafés, a visitor centre, and year‑round events make it a lively destination, while its scale and tranquillity provide a peaceful escape in the city centre. Bute Park is both a living museum of horticulture and a vibrant public space, celebrating Cardiff’s heritage, biodiversity, and love of the outdoors.

Cardiff Wales

Location

Bute Park and Arboretum is a vast 130-acre green space located in the heart of Cardiff, just behind Cardiff Castle with the address 35 North Road, Cardiff CF10 3DX. The park features beautifully landscaped gardens, a rich arboretum with over 3,000 catalogued trees including rare and champion specimens, woodland walkways, and manicured lawns perfect for picnics and recreation. Bute Park also contains historic elements such as the remains of Blackfriars Friary and the famous Animal Wall. Within the park are three cafés, a visitor education centre, natural play areas, and sculpture trails, making it a popular spot for relaxation and events. It is easily accessible from Cardiff city centre, with multiple entrances close to the main shopping streets and public transport links. Nearby are Cardiff Castle, the River Taff, and the adjacent Sophia Gardens and Pontcanna Fields, offering even more green outdoor spaces to explore.