PONTCANNA – CARDIFF CASTLE GARDENS – LLANDAFF CATHEDRAL (4.62 miles) Glamorgan History Walks 2025

There’s so much more to Cardiff than the city centre. Not least the city within a city which is Llandaff. This is the seat of the great Cathedral on the Taff, where according to legend, King Arthur was crowned King of the Britons by St Dyfrig in the 6th Century. We also experience more recent kingly history as we walk along the Glamorgan Canal which boomed at a time when coal was king. That will lead us to the grounds and gardens of Bute Park behind the medieval Cardiff Castle. Where ‘would be king’ Robert Curthose (eldest son of William the Conqueror) was imprisoned by his cousin Henry I and where he ended his days. Sometimes, being king isn’t everything its cracked up to be!

History topics discussed

Arthurian legend
The Dark Age Welsh saints
The Norman invasion
The dissolution of monasteries
The Industrial Revolution & the Marquis of Bute

Places we visit

Llandaff Cathedral
The remains of the Bishops Palace
Landaff Fields and Pontcanna Fields
Bute Park & Castle Grounds

Route Information
Parking: Car Park, Llandaff Fields, Penhill Road CF11 9HZ
Distance: 4.62 miles
Elevation: 36.25 feet
Walking time: 2 hours
Suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs
Ending with drinks at The Halfway, Penhill Road, Cardiff

You may also like the following events from Graham Loveluck-Edwards:

• This Saturday, 17th May, 09:00 am, Coity History Walk (Part of the Glamorgan History Walks festival 2025) in Bridgend
• This Sunday, 18th May, 03:00 pm, Barry Island History Walk (Part of the Glamorgan History Walks festival 2025) in Barry
• Next Thursday, 22nd May, 06:00 pm, The Garth (Part of the Glamorgan History Walks festival 2025) in Cardiff