Roath Park has been named the best park in Wales.

The Cardiff park took the title for the country’s best loved park outdoor space at the Fields in Trust Awards 2017 cementing its status as a popular destination for visitors of all ages.

It was nominated by Liz Hadfield for the UK’s best park award which is voted for by the public.

Each year the competition showcases some of the UK’s best open spaces.

Sunrise in Roath Park
Late afternoon sunshine at Roath Park Lake. Picture sent in by Heather Carter
Late afternoon sunshine at Roath Park Lake. Picture sent in by Heather Carter

Councillor for Plasnewydd ward Mary McGarry said: “I love that park. I walk through it every day with my dog. I’m very pleased.

“It definitely deserves it. It’s kept very well and very clean. I’m very, very proud it has won an award.

“We have a very high population in this ward and we need our open spaces.”

The Fields in Trust Charity, which counts His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge as its president, protects the UK’s vital open spaces.

This year the public nominated 360 parks in total from across the UK and cast over 15,000 votes to decide the winners.

This year, the title of England’s Best Park and overall winner of UK’s Best Park went to Stanley Park in Blackpool.

The awards were presented by former Wales and Lions rugby player Brynmor Williams, chairman of The Fields in Trust Wales Committee.

Roath Park Lake looking glorious on Sunday evening after the earlier unsettled weather. Picture sent in by Heather Carter, Heath, Cardiff
Roath Park Lake looking glorious on Sunday evening after earlier unsettled weather. Picture sent in by Heather Carter, Heath, Cardiff
Cardiff - Old - Roath Park - The Roath Park Lake bandstand pictured c.1910
Images from Glamorgan Archives showing Roath Park

Helen Griffiths, chief executive of Fields in Trust, said: “The people of Cardiff have sent a clear message that they love their local park and on behalf of everyone here at Fields in Trust, I would like to congratulate Roath Park.”

Peter Bradbury, Cardiff council cabinet member for culture and leisure, said: “Cardiff is home to a wealth of fantastic green space, including 10 Green Flag standard parks, but as this fantastic result shows, Roath Park is a real favourite with the public.

“And no wonder – there aren’t many places that can call themselves home to everything from rose gardens to rugby pitches and even rainforest!

“I know how much love and hard work our Parks team put into making it a fantastic place to visit – not to mention the vital role played by the highly active Friends Group, so I’m delighted that Roath Park has been recognised with this award.”