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Despenser Gardens

1 ha

📷 Nick Smith · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

BirdsWildlifeFamily
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome1 ha

Getting here

51.47860, -3.18803

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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🐦52+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Magpie and Mallard
  • ☀️Summer family visits work well here — arrive early and plan for a longer stay
  • ☕Rockin' Chair — makes this an easy full-day family visit without needing to pack food

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
Bike parkingCaféParking· PaidPlayground

Best for

10 activities

Bird watching

Birds — Magpie, Mallard, Blackbird +49 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Magpie, Mallard, Blackbird +49 more · last seen 2026

Free

Wildlife

Multi-group wildlife — Birds, Mammals; Multi-group wildlife — Birds, Mammals

Free

Family friendly

playground, café; Urban park — family destination

Free

Playgrounds

playground, café, parking

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Eristalis pertinax, Harlequin Ladybird, Syrphus +71 more · last seen 2026; Insects — Eristalis pertinax, Harlequin Ladybird, Syrphus +71 more · last seen 2026

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed with public access

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

4 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Wales Coast Path (South Wales)Walking route
Named routeRef WCPNational walking route
Penrhys PilgrimageWalking route
Named route
Taff TrailWalking route88 km
Named routeLength 88 kmRegional walking route
Cambrian WayWalking route
Named routeNational walking route
🚴

Cycling

154 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Ely TrailCycling route
Named routeRef ETLocal cycle route
Cardiff Bay TrailCycling route
Named routeRef 4Local cycle route
Route 88Cycling route
Named routeRef 88National Cycle Network
City Centre Hub (complete)Cycling route
Named routeRef CCLocal cycle route
Rhymney TrailCycling route
Named routeRef RTLocal cycle route
Route 8Cycling route
Named routeRef 8Local cycle route

Wildlife to spot

Photos

View of gardens and houses in Riverside

📷 Nick Smith · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

View of gardens and houses in Riverside

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Weather for this location

Next 14 days

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Sophia GardensUrban park800 m→🌱Roath ParkUrban park3.5 km→🌱Bute ParkUrban park700 m→🌱Friary GardensUrban park800 m→🌱Friary GardensUrban park800 m→🌱Canal ParkUrban park1.6 km→

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