Penarth - town and community in the Vale of Glamorgan, south Wales

Penarth is a Victorian sea-side town 4 miles (7 km) southwest of Cardiff in Wales. It has impressive Victorian architecture and known for its pier and extensive parks. It is becoming a cafe town. Penarth population is mainly made up of people commuting to local city, Cardiff.

Get in

By train

Trains run from Cardiff to Penarth on the 'Valley Lines' every 15 min M-Sa 7AM to 8PM, hourly until 11PM, and every two hours on Sunday. The travel time is 10 minutes. The rough fare is £3 return.

By bus

Buses run every 7 min from Cardiff Bus Station to Penarth town centre (services 92-94), with some then continue to Barry via Dinas Powys or Sully. Return to Cardiff is £3 with the added benefit of being a day rover ticket in Cardiff also. Travel time is about 20 minutes.

By car

There are only three roads into Penarth, of which two are heading into Cardiff. Because of this and lot of the population commuting to work, getting out of Penarth quickly between 7AM and 9:30AM is impossible.

By boat

But the best way to arrive is to catch the river cat from Cardiff Bay to the Penarth end of the Bay Barrage. Although you will have to walk up the hill to get to the town centre. If the tide is out, it is possible to walk along the coast to Penarth Esplanade.

Get around

Penarth is roughly divided into the Town Centre, the Esplanade and the Marina. All are within walking distance, with hills.

See

• Turner House Gallery, 51.4358°, -3.1737°. A local art gallery 2 minutes away from the railway station next to the steps which lead down to the Esplanade.
• The Esplanade and the pier, 51.4351°, -3.16651°.
• Penarth Marina & Penarth end of the Bay Barrage, 51.445°, -3.175°. A tranquil place where a majority of boats are moored. The Bay Barrage has turned the tidal rivers of Taff and Ely contently high tide and a full 'lake' at the bay.
• Cosmeston Country Park, 51.416667°, -3.166667°. A former lime quarry with has been flooded and has extensive fields around the lake. Has a medieval village within the grounds and has 'battles' on bank holidays.
• Cosmeston Medieval Village, 51.4134°, -3.1839°. A "living history" medieval village. 2018-06-10

Do

Buy

The town has a good collection of charity shops, unlike Cardiff centre. Also the Windsor Arcade has a collection of local independent shops, which will not be found anywhere else.

Eat

• The Custom House (El puerto and La Marina). Restaurants
• The Deck, Marina CF64 1TT, +44 29 2009 9737. Tu W 12:00-22:00, Th-Su 10:00-22:00. Popular eatery looking onto the yachts in the marina. 2022-08-20
• The OysterCatcher (Hungry Horse), Terra Nova Way.
• The Glendale Hotel, 10 Plymouth Rd, 51.436061°, -3.173715°, +44 29 2070 6701. Serving a range of Italian meals, all of exceptional quality, right next to the station by the Railway pub.
• Restaurant James Sommerin, The Esplanade, 51.434458°, -3.168118°, +44 29 2070 6559. 2017-05-29

Drink

The Albion, The Railway, The Pilot, The Windsor and The Clive are all original in their own right. The local J.D. Weatherspoon pub, The Bears Head, is like any typical 'spoons pub.

Sleep

Penarth does not have many hotels.

• Manor House Hotel, Sully Road, 51.429731°, -3.198673°, +44 29 2070 9309. Though not in the town centre, it benefits from a charming countryside setting between Penarth and Barry, and has a restaurant.
• Holm House, Marine Parade CF64 3BG, 51.430°, -3.171°, +44 29 2070 6029. Plush hotel and spa on the cliffs above the channel. B&B double from £120 2020-06-02

Connect

Penarth has 4G from all UK carriers. As of Aug 2022, 5G covers Cardiff and is extending down the coast, but hasn't reached Penarth.

Go next

• Sully
• Barry
• Cardiff