Roath,
Suburb of Cardiff

History of Roath
The origin of Roath began as marshland. In 1887 the third Marquis of Bute and other local landowners offered 121 acres of Marshland to Cardiff Corporation. Cardiff Corporation had plans on developing a park with a lake, gardens and playing fields. The development costed the Cardiff Corporation £62,000. The park was formally opened by the third Marquis of Bute on 20 June 1894.

Local Landmarks

There are a string of parks from the Roath lake through to the Harlequins grounds. Next to Roath Park Lakes are the flower gardens and Roath Park Conservatory. A fine display of flowers especially in Spring and Summer. Mature couples are found strolling, admiring the floral displays, playing bowls or tennis. Students relaxing sunbathing or studying for finals in the warm Summer sunshine.

Further along is Roath Recreation ground where games of Soccer, Rugby, American Football are played in Autumn. It is one of the few places where we can watch Rounders and Welsh Baseball being played in the warm Summer evenings. Changing rooms are provided by Cardiff Council in the Roath Community Centre next to Roath Park Library.

St. Margaret's Parish Church was where the Bute family worshiped. The family crypt can be viewed in the church. The crypt is made from pink granite and was modeled on Tzar of Russia's family crypt. The church is beautifully decorated and reflect the wealth the Bute family displayed.

In our childhood we enjoyed in the Waterloo Gardens and Roath Watermill Park. The brook runs through both garden and parks. A great beginning for anglers and pooh stick competitors.

St Margaret Church House serves the community well providing Welsh language creche, Scouts and Amateur Dramatics Hall. We really enjoyed ourselves at Ceilidhs held in the Church hall.

Mansion House. This large corner plot on Richmond Road and Richmond Crescent is the official residence of the Lord Mayor of Cardiff. The house was built in 1896 by James Howell and was bought by Cardiff Corporation in 1913.

Food and Drink

• The Tut and Shive. A exciting place to drink. The bar is cozy and lay in a horse shoe arrangement. They offer guest beers at reasonable prices. Atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, a good blend of students, artist and locals. Juke box offers a great selections of music to suit every mood and occasion. Seating on 3 split levels. There is an upstairs bar as yet we have not seen open. Food is served price and quality has to be good to be in competition with Earnest Willows not 3 minutes walk. A great place to end an evening of supping the liquid nectar. Late closing on Thursdays to Saturdays.


• The Albany Hotel built in 1895. A very popular pub in Roath attracting a good mix of students and locals. There are 2 bars, the Lounge attracting mostly the students and the Bar having a good mixture of locals and students. There is 9 pin bowling alley and a Beer garden which unfortunately closes early, around 9pm, to prevent complaints from the residential homes nearby. Normal opening hours closing at 11pm except on Sundays. The Landlady is renown for cooking a mean curry.


• The George (Scream Pub) built in 1878. This IS a student pub who obtain discounts on drinks with the production of a valid Student Union Card. Pub grub on offer. As expected late opening at the weekends.


• The Claude Hotel built in 1890. A great pub. A friendly atmosphere, good and efficient service, a good mix of ages of locals and students. The Lounge, Oak Room, is great for a quite drink and chat the coal fires creating a cozy atmosphere. The serious drinker are found in the main Bar. Huge hall on 2 levels with 4 pool tables and table hockey machine. Table hockey a hoot good way of breaking the ices and meeting new people. A new feature is their Internet access as expected hogged by the students. There is a disappointing beer garden with poor lighting. No late openings.


• Ernest Willows, named after a Cardiff balloonist. Part of Wetherspoon chain. A clean and safe place to meet and have a cheap night. The chain offers bargin prices on alcohol and food. A selection of vegetarian dishes on offer. "Surf-n-turf" is a must for the meat eaters. The service is quick and efficient and at times seems somewhat impersonal and mechanical. There is ample seating, non-smoking and smoking. There is a secure beer garden at the rear. No late openings. We normally start off at Ernest and finish the evening at the Tut-n-shive.


• Deli Rouge, opened in 2005 located at the top of Machnitosh Place. Great corner shop with friendly service. Good selection of teas and coffee. Delicious sandwiches expertly made and to order while you wait. Mouth-watering Italian deserts for take-away preferably eaten on the premises accompanied by a large Americano coffee.


• Zio Pins. Family owned Chinese Restaurant. Good food at reasonable prices. Quality and price is kept in check with a good selection of take-ways in the area.

Sports and Leisure Activities

• Roath Lake. There are a string of parks from the Roath lake through to the Harlequins grounds. Next to Roath Park Lakes are the flower gardens and Roath Park Conservatory. A fine display of flowers especially in Spring and Summer. Mature couples are found strolling, admiring the floral displays, playing bowls or tennis. Students relaxing sunbathing or studying for finals in the warm Summer sunshine.


• Roath Park Recreation Grounds. A very popular venue for American football, Football and Rugby in the winter season and Rounders and Welsh Baseball in the Summer. The perimeter is of the field is 1 mile in length and is used throughout the year by joggers of all ages and abilities.


• Roath Community Centre located on the corner of Roath playing fields. The centre offers a diverse range of classes: dance and fitness classes; yoga; martial arts; parents and tots. Join Cardiff Stretch scheme and save money. Stretch Card offers the use of Council's pools, health and fitness suites, fitness classes, racquet sports, athletics and cycling facilities and much more in over 11 facilities throughout Cardiff.


• David Lloyds, Ipswich Road one of the best sporting facilities in Cardiff. The staff are friendly and very helpful. The raqcquet sports are located in the ground floor: 4 glass backed squash courts; 4 badminton courts; 7 in-door and 7 out-door tennis courts; toddlers paddling pool; in-door 25 meter and out-door 20 meter swimming pool; steam room; Sauna; and whirlpool. The air conditioned gym and dance studio is located on the first floor. Gym team organises group exercise classes through the week: Spin; High-Lo Body Pump; in-door and out-door circuit; Boxexcerise classes to name a few. Cafe Bar and restaurant offering hot and cold food and drinks at reasonable prices.


• Plasnewydd Community Centre, Shakespeare Street, off City Road opposite the Tut 'n' Shive. Sporting facility to suit the whole family. Facilities include indoor sports hall; 2 badminton courts and function room. The centre offers a diverse range of classes: dance and fitness classes; yoga; martial arts; parents and tots. Martial Arts classes include: Aikido, Judo, Tae Kwon Do; Kung Fu and Ninjutsu


• Mackintosh Tennis Club, Keppoch Street. There are 5 courts, three are floodlit. One on one coaching sessions offered, alternatively attend their Monday night adults social mix-in. On-site bar with active social events. There are table tennis and pool leagues along with a bowling league and bowling green at the club.


• The Gate, Keppoch Street. Arts and Theatre centre located in a converted church. There is a 350 seater capacity for Dance performances. There is a purpose built gallery used by local struggling and merging artist. The Cafe Bar is open 6 days a week offering freshly prepared food, alcholic and non-alcoholic drinks from the bar and food for thought from the various performances on stage. The Gate also has various types of dance classes for all ages and abilities.

Schooling and Education

• Stacey Road Primary School, Stacey Road
• Albany Road Primary School, Albany Road
• Roath Park Primary School, Penywain Road
• St. Peters's RC Primary School, Southey Street
• Tredegarville C.I.W. Primary School, Glossop Road
• St. Teilo's C.I.W. High School, Llanedeyrn Road, Pen-y-lan
• Cardiff High, Llandeniss Road
• The Academy, 40 The Parade
• Kings Monkton School, West Grove
• Taibach School, 22 Wordsworth Avenue