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St Mary the Virgin Church

📷 Wikipedia · University Church of St Mary the Virgin · CC BY-SA 3.0

BirdsWildlifeInsects

Public accessFree entryDogs welcome

Getting here

51.47362, -3.17240

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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

🐦53+ 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
🛝Playground 208m away — built-in entertainment for younger visitors alongside the wider site

🌤️ Visiting this summer

🐦53+ 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
🛝Playground 208m away — built-in entertainment for younger visitors alongside the wider site

Good to know

£Free to visit — no entry charge
🐕Dogs welcome

Bike parkingParking· PaidPlayground

Best for

10 activities

Bird watching

Very strong match

Birds — Magpie, Mallard, Blackbird +50 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Magpie, Mallard, Blackbird +50 more · last seen 2026

Free

Wildlife

Very strong match

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

Free

Insect spotting

Strong match

Insects — 7-spot Ladybird, Hairy Shieldbug, Corizus hyoscyami +93 more · last seen 2026; Insects — 7-spot Ladybird, Hairy Shieldbug, Corizus hyoscyami +93 more · last seen 2026

Free

Playgrounds

Strong match

playground, parking

Free

Family friendly

Strong match

playground

Free

Cycling

Good match

Named cycling route nearby: Lôn Las Cymru (South)

Varies

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

32,750 records · National Biodiversity Network

Wildlife to spot

32,750 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds55 species

winterspringsummerautumn

2026

Magpie · Mallard · Blackbird · Robin · Woodpigeon +50

MagpiePica pica
MallardAnas platyrhynchos
BlackbirdTurdus merula
RobinErithacus rubecula
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
CootFulica atra
Mute SwanCygnus olor
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus
Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatus
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus
MoorhenGallinula chloropus
Canada GooseBranta canadensis
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus
Herring GullLarus argentatus2025
Great TitParus major
Carrion CrowCorvus corone2025
Grey HeronArdea cinerea
Rock DoveColumba livia2025
CormorantPhalacrocorax carbo2025
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus2025
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba
DunnockPrunella modularis
GoosanderMergus merganser2025
GoldcrestRegulus regulus
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes2025
House SparrowPasser domesticus
KingfisherAlcedo atthis2025
Coal TitPeriparus ater
Tufted DuckAythya fuligula
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinerea2025
GreenfinchChloris chloris
Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto
JayGarrulus glandarius
BlackcapSylvia atricapilla
Song ThrushTurdus philomelos2025
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollis2025
Little EgretEgretta garzetta2025
JackdawColoeus monedula2025
StarlingSturnus vulgaris2025
TurnstoneArenaria interpres2025
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita2025
TreecreeperCerthia familiaris
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorus2025
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisus2025
Common SandpiperActitis hypoleucos2025
Common GullLarus canus2025
NuthatchSitta europaea2025
Ring-necked ParakeetPsittacula krameri2025
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensis2025
Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellus2025
RavenCorvus corax2025
Yellow-legged GullLarus michahellis2025
Reed WarblerAcrocephalus scirpaceus2025

🦌

Mammals6 species

summerautumnwinter

2025

Grey Squirrel · Otter · Red Fox · Rabbit · Pipistrelle Bat species +1

Grey SquirrelSciurus carolinensis
OtterLutra lutra
Red FoxVulpes vulpes
RabbitOryctolagus cuniculus
Pipistrelle Bat speciesPipistrellus
HedgehogErinaceus europaeus

🐝

Insects97 species

springsummerautumn

2026

7-spot Ladybird · Hairy Shieldbug · Corizus hyoscyami · Harlequin Ladybird · Green Shieldbug +92

7-spot LadybirdCoccinella septempunctata
Hairy ShieldbugDolycoris baccarum
Corizus hyoscyamiCorizus hyoscyami
Harlequin LadybirdHarmonia axyridis
Green ShieldbugPalomena prasina
Eristalis pertinaxEristalis pertinax
Cabbage BugEurydema (Eurydema) oleracea2025
Eristalis tenaxEristalis tenax
Marmalade HoverflyEpisyrphus balteatus
SyrphusSyrphus2025
Scathophaga stercorariaScathophaga stercoraria
Rhopalus (Rhopalus) subrufusRhopalus (Rhopalus) subrufus2025
Parent BugElasmucha grisea2025
22-spot LadybirdPsyllobora vigintiduopunctata
2-spot LadybirdAdalia bipunctata
Common Carder BeeBombus pascuorum2025
Common Blue DamselflyEnallagma cyathigerum2025
Migrant HawkerAeshna mixta2025
Syritta pipiensSyritta pipiens2025
Helophilus pendulusHelophilus pendulus2025
Helina evectaHelina evecta
Trioza centranthiTrioza centranthi2025
Dock BugCoreus marginatus2025
Speckled Bush-cricketLeptophyes punctatissima2025
Lagria hirtaLagria hirta2025
Epistrophe eligansEpistrophe eligans
Eudasyphora cyanellaEudasyphora cyanella
EupeodesEupeodes
EristalisEristalis
Cuckoo-Spit InsectPhilaenus spumarius2025
Eupeodes lunigerEupeodes luniger2025
Batman HoverflyMyathropa florea2025
Eristalis arbustorumEristalis arbustorum2025
Field GrasshopperChorthippus brunneus2025
Hornet HoverflyVolucella zonaria2025
Eupeodes corollaeEupeodes corollae2025
Red-legged ShieldbugPentatoma rufipes2025
Common DarterSympetrum striolatum2025
Lesser Stag BeetleDorcus parallelipipedus2025
Common Red Soldier BeetleRhagonycha fulva2025
Ant Damsel BugHimacerus (Aptus) mirmicoides2025
Red-eyed DamselflyErythromma najas2025
Greater Bulb-FlyMerodon equestris2025
Sphaerophoria scriptaSphaerophoria scripta2025
Platycheirus albimanusPlatycheirus albimanus
Platycheirus scutatusPlatycheirus scutatus
Dark-edged Bee-flyBombylius major
Non-biting midgesChironomidae
Melanostoma scalareMelanostoma scalare
Face FlyMusca autumnalis
Gorse ShieldbugPiezodorus lituratus
Varied Carpet BeetleAnthrenus verbasci
Macrosiphum (Macrosiphum) rosaeMacrosiphum (Macrosiphum) rosae
Nut Leaf WeevilStrophosoma melanogrammum
Tephrochlamys rufiventrisTephrochlamys rufiventris
Geomyza tripunctataGeomyza tripunctata2025
Cerobasis guestfalicaCerobasis guestfalica2025
Cream-streaked LadybirdHarmonia quadripunctata2025
AleyrodidaeAleyrodidae2025
Black Bean AphidAphis (Aphis) fabae2025
Syrphus ribesiiSyrphus ribesii2025
Pterocallis maculataPterocallis maculata2025
Deer KedLipoptena cervi2025
Pantilius (Pantilius) tunicatusPantilius (Pantilius) tunicatus2025
Dasysyrphus tricinctusDasysyrphus tricinctus2025
Common WaspVespula vulgaris2025
Rosemary BeetleChrysolina americana2025
EumerusEumerus2025
White/Buff-tailed Bumblebee workersBombus lucorum/terrestris2025
AnthomyiaAnthomyia2025
Volucella pellucensVolucella pellucens2025
Golden-ringed DragonflyCordulegaster boltonii2025
Hawthorn ShieldbugAcanthosoma haemorrhoidale2025
Beautiful DemoiselleCalopteryx virgo2025
Oak Bush-cricketMeconema thalassinum2025
Scaeva pyrastriScaeva pyrastri2025
Melangyna umbellatarumMelangyna umbellatarum2025
Southern Oak Bush-cricketMeconema meridionale2025
Small Black AntLasius niger2025
Vestal Cuckoo BeeBombus vestalis2025
Common EarwigForficula auricularia/dentata agg.2025
Vine WeevilOtiorhynchus sulcatus2025
Western Honey BeeApis mellifera2025
Meadow GrasshopperPseudochorthippus parallelus2025
Swollen-thighed BeetleOedemera nobilis2025
Helophilus trivittatusHelophilus trivittatus2025
14-spot LadybirdPropylea quattuordecimpunctata2025
Band-eyed Brown HorseflyTabanus bromius2025
Emperor DragonflyAnax imperator2025
Banded DemoiselleCalopteryx splendens2025
Oedemera virescensOedemera virescens2025
SphaerophoriaSphaerophoria2025
Polydrusus formosusPolydrusus formosus2025
Strawberry-root WeevilOtiorhynchus ovatus2025
Adonis' LadybirdHippodamia variegata2025
SapromyzaSapromyza2025
Blue-tailed DamselflyIschnura elegans2025

🌿

Plants5 species

winter

2026

Chinese Bramble · Giant Blackberry · Grey-cushioned Grimmia · Marchantia polymorpha subsp. ruderalis · Common Pincushion

Chinese BrambleRubus tricolor
Giant BlackberryRubus armeniacus
Grey-cushioned GrimmiaGrimmia pulvinata
Marchantia polymorpha subsp. ruderalisMarchantia polymorpha subsp. ruderalis
Common PincushionDicranoweisia cirrata

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

32,750 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds55 species

winterspringsummerautumn

2026

Magpie · Mallard · Blackbird · Robin · Woodpigeon +50

MagpiePica pica
MallardAnas platyrhynchos
BlackbirdTurdus merula
RobinErithacus rubecula
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
CootFulica atra
Mute SwanCygnus olor
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus
Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatus
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus
MoorhenGallinula chloropus
Canada GooseBranta canadensis
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus
Herring GullLarus argentatus2025
Great TitParus major
Carrion CrowCorvus corone2025
Grey HeronArdea cinerea
Rock DoveColumba livia2025
CormorantPhalacrocorax carbo2025
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus2025
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba
DunnockPrunella modularis
GoosanderMergus merganser2025
GoldcrestRegulus regulus
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes2025
House SparrowPasser domesticus
KingfisherAlcedo atthis2025
Coal TitPeriparus ater
Tufted DuckAythya fuligula
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinerea2025
GreenfinchChloris chloris
Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto
JayGarrulus glandarius
BlackcapSylvia atricapilla
Song ThrushTurdus philomelos2025
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollis2025
Little EgretEgretta garzetta2025
JackdawColoeus monedula2025
StarlingSturnus vulgaris2025
TurnstoneArenaria interpres2025
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita2025
TreecreeperCerthia familiaris
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorus2025
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisus2025
Common SandpiperActitis hypoleucos2025
Common GullLarus canus2025
NuthatchSitta europaea2025
Ring-necked ParakeetPsittacula krameri2025
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensis2025
Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellus2025
RavenCorvus corax2025
Yellow-legged GullLarus michahellis2025
Reed WarblerAcrocephalus scirpaceus2025

🦌

Mammals6 species

summerautumnwinter

2025

Grey Squirrel · Otter · Red Fox · Rabbit · Pipistrelle Bat species +1

Grey SquirrelSciurus carolinensis
OtterLutra lutra
Red FoxVulpes vulpes
RabbitOryctolagus cuniculus
Pipistrelle Bat speciesPipistrellus
HedgehogErinaceus europaeus

🐝

Insects97 species

springsummerautumn

2026

7-spot Ladybird · Hairy Shieldbug · Corizus hyoscyami · Harlequin Ladybird · Green Shieldbug +92

7-spot LadybirdCoccinella septempunctata
Hairy ShieldbugDolycoris baccarum
Corizus hyoscyamiCorizus hyoscyami
Harlequin LadybirdHarmonia axyridis
Green ShieldbugPalomena prasina
Eristalis pertinaxEristalis pertinax
Cabbage BugEurydema (Eurydema) oleracea2025
Eristalis tenaxEristalis tenax
Marmalade HoverflyEpisyrphus balteatus
SyrphusSyrphus2025
Scathophaga stercorariaScathophaga stercoraria
Rhopalus (Rhopalus) subrufusRhopalus (Rhopalus) subrufus2025
Parent BugElasmucha grisea2025
22-spot LadybirdPsyllobora vigintiduopunctata
2-spot LadybirdAdalia bipunctata
Common Carder BeeBombus pascuorum2025
Common Blue DamselflyEnallagma cyathigerum2025
Migrant HawkerAeshna mixta2025
Syritta pipiensSyritta pipiens2025
Helophilus pendulusHelophilus pendulus2025
Helina evectaHelina evecta
Trioza centranthiTrioza centranthi2025
Dock BugCoreus marginatus2025
Speckled Bush-cricketLeptophyes punctatissima2025
Lagria hirtaLagria hirta2025
Epistrophe eligansEpistrophe eligans
Eudasyphora cyanellaEudasyphora cyanella
EupeodesEupeodes
EristalisEristalis
Cuckoo-Spit InsectPhilaenus spumarius2025
Eupeodes lunigerEupeodes luniger2025
Batman HoverflyMyathropa florea2025
Eristalis arbustorumEristalis arbustorum2025
Field GrasshopperChorthippus brunneus2025
Hornet HoverflyVolucella zonaria2025
Eupeodes corollaeEupeodes corollae2025
Red-legged ShieldbugPentatoma rufipes2025
Common DarterSympetrum striolatum2025
Lesser Stag BeetleDorcus parallelipipedus2025
Common Red Soldier BeetleRhagonycha fulva2025
Ant Damsel BugHimacerus (Aptus) mirmicoides2025
Red-eyed DamselflyErythromma najas2025
Greater Bulb-FlyMerodon equestris2025
Sphaerophoria scriptaSphaerophoria scripta2025
Platycheirus albimanusPlatycheirus albimanus
Platycheirus scutatusPlatycheirus scutatus
Dark-edged Bee-flyBombylius major
Non-biting midgesChironomidae
Melanostoma scalareMelanostoma scalare
Face FlyMusca autumnalis
Gorse ShieldbugPiezodorus lituratus
Varied Carpet BeetleAnthrenus verbasci
Macrosiphum (Macrosiphum) rosaeMacrosiphum (Macrosiphum) rosae
Nut Leaf WeevilStrophosoma melanogrammum
Tephrochlamys rufiventrisTephrochlamys rufiventris
Geomyza tripunctataGeomyza tripunctata2025
Cerobasis guestfalicaCerobasis guestfalica2025
Cream-streaked LadybirdHarmonia quadripunctata2025
AleyrodidaeAleyrodidae2025
Black Bean AphidAphis (Aphis) fabae2025
Syrphus ribesiiSyrphus ribesii2025
Pterocallis maculataPterocallis maculata2025
Deer KedLipoptena cervi2025
Pantilius (Pantilius) tunicatusPantilius (Pantilius) tunicatus2025
Dasysyrphus tricinctusDasysyrphus tricinctus2025
Common WaspVespula vulgaris2025
Rosemary BeetleChrysolina americana2025
EumerusEumerus2025
White/Buff-tailed Bumblebee workersBombus lucorum/terrestris2025
AnthomyiaAnthomyia2025
Volucella pellucensVolucella pellucens2025
Golden-ringed DragonflyCordulegaster boltonii2025
Hawthorn ShieldbugAcanthosoma haemorrhoidale2025
Beautiful DemoiselleCalopteryx virgo2025
Oak Bush-cricketMeconema thalassinum2025
Scaeva pyrastriScaeva pyrastri2025
Melangyna umbellatarumMelangyna umbellatarum2025
Southern Oak Bush-cricketMeconema meridionale2025
Small Black AntLasius niger2025
Vestal Cuckoo BeeBombus vestalis2025
Common EarwigForficula auricularia/dentata agg.2025
Vine WeevilOtiorhynchus sulcatus2025
Western Honey BeeApis mellifera2025
Meadow GrasshopperPseudochorthippus parallelus2025
Swollen-thighed BeetleOedemera nobilis2025
Helophilus trivittatusHelophilus trivittatus2025
14-spot LadybirdPropylea quattuordecimpunctata2025
Band-eyed Brown HorseflyTabanus bromius2025
Emperor DragonflyAnax imperator2025
Banded DemoiselleCalopteryx splendens2025
Oedemera virescensOedemera virescens2025
SphaerophoriaSphaerophoria2025
Polydrusus formosusPolydrusus formosus2025
Strawberry-root WeevilOtiorhynchus ovatus2025
Adonis' LadybirdHippodamia variegata2025
SapromyzaSapromyza2025
Blue-tailed DamselflyIschnura elegans2025

🌿

Plants5 species

winter

2026

Chinese Bramble · Giant Blackberry · Grey-cushioned Grimmia · Marchantia polymorpha subsp. ruderalis · Common Pincushion

Chinese BrambleRubus tricolor
Giant BlackberryRubus armeniacus
Grey-cushioned GrimmiaGrimmia pulvinata
Marchantia polymorpha subsp. ruderalisMarchantia polymorpha subsp. ruderalis
Common PincushionDicranoweisia cirrata

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

Photos

📷 Wikipedia · University Church of St Mary the Virgin · CC BY-SA 3.0

University Church of St Mary the Virgin

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🌱Sophia GardensUrban park1.8 km→🌱Roath ParkUrban park3.9 km→🌱Canal ParkUrban park500 m→🌱Friary GardensUrban park1.2 km→🌱Friary GardensUrban park1.2 km→🌱Landsea GardensUrban park1.3 km→

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