Location: Sully Rd , Penarth , CF64 2XP
This is a special education needs facility, replacing Ashgrove School, Ysgol Erw’r Delyn and Ysgol Maes Dyfan. It stands on the grounds of St Cyres School.

Ysgol Stanwell School

Location: Archer Road , Penarth , CF64 2XL

Getting around Penarth

Waterbus

The Cardiff Aquabus is a waterbus operated by Cardiff CATS and Aquabus, and provides commuter and leisure services from Penarth, across Cardiff Bay and up the River Taff into Cardiff City Centre.

Cycle / Walk

The Pont y Werin Bridge over the River Ely is a pedestrian and cycle bridge that links Penarth to the Cardiff International Sports Village.

Penarth bus services are provided by both Cardiff Bus and First Group. Cardiff Bus runs routes 92, 93 and 94 from Cardiff City Centre, through Penarth to Barry and back again, every fifteen minutes or so during the day.

Bus - Vale of Glamorgan

Rail - Penarth Station

Penarth Station is the terminus of the Penarth branch line from Cardiff Central station. Arriva Trains Wales runs services up into Cardiff and beyond three or four times an hour.

What's on in Penarth

Penarth Pier & Pavilion

Location: Penarth Pier Pavilion , The Esplanade , Penarth , CF64 3AU
Penarth Pier first opened in 1895, and the famous art deco pavilion was added in 1929. The £3.9 million Penarth Pavilion Project has been reclaiming the Grade-II listed building and completing extensive refurbishments to create a cinema, café, observatory and sustainable, multi-purposes community complex. Its grand reopening is scheduled for November 2013.

Alexandra Park

Location: Alexandra Park , Penarth
There are many gorgeous gardens in Penarth – it wasn’t called called ‘the Garden by the Sea’ for nothing! A pleasant walk from the centre of town down to the seafront takes you through Alexandra Park, named after the wife of King Edward VII and opened to the public by Lord Windsor in 1902. The gardens were restored in 2012, but still preserve some the park’s original features. For further info, and the histories of all Penarth’s parks, see the Penarth Parks website.

Cosmeston Lakes Country Park and Medieval Village

Location: Cosmeston Lakes Country Park , Penarth
Opened to the public in 1978, the park has reclaimed the site of two former quarries, turning them into the lovely lakes we see today. The lakes are a Site of Special Scientific Interest for their rare plants. The park also houses the living museum of a village rebuilt by archaeologists to show what it looked like in 1350. It’s been praised as the best representation of a medieval village in Britain, so unsurprisingly, it’s often used as a film and TV location! Guided tours of the village are available, and special re-enactments are staged throughout the year.

Penarth Leisure Centre

Location: Andrew Rd , Penarth , CF64 2NS

Picnic Penarth

Location: Windsor Road , Penarth
Picnic Penarth is an annual event showcasing the very best of local street food providers with a helping of family entertainment on the side. For the 2019 Picnic, organisers were delighted to welcome back a host of lip-smacking traders from previous events, along with mouth-watering new faces and many of much -loved local businesses. Visitors can also enjoy live music performances throughout the day on the Open Mic stage.

Eat in Penarth

Ground Bakery

Location: 11b Royal Building , Stanwell Road , Penarth , CF64 3ED
This artisanal boulangerie and speciality coffee house from Masterchef star Tom Simmons brought its much-hyped third site to Penarth in 2022, quickly becoming an overnight sensation. Stylish, warm and friendly, Ground Bakery is a lovely place to start your day, whether it be for a grab-and-go artisanal pastry or taking a seat to tuck into an Instagram-worthy brunch. Their brunch and light lunch plates will tempt your taste buds with dishes like fresh Llys Meddyg smoked salmon on miso rye bread and the “Fully Ground” or “Fully Veggie” on the menu. Be sure to try their speciality ‘overnight bacon’ – you’ll never look at a standard slice again!

Bar 44

Location: 14 Windsor Road , Penarth , CF64 1JH
For a taste of Spanish sunshine, head to Bar44 on Windsor Road. A favourite with locals and visitors alike, Bar44 offers an astonishing range of tapas dishes and a full complement of Spanish wines. The specials menu changes daily, so don’t just visit once. Their deli counter also stocks the artisan cheeses, cured meats and other treats that go into their food.

The Old Custom House

Location: Penarth Marina , CF64 1TT
There are two restaurants in The Old Custom House. El Puerto’s open kitchen forms the centrepiece of their brasserie. Meanwhile, on the second floor, La Marina offers stunning views over Cardiff Bay – particularly impressive at night – and includes a large fish counter with specialties on display. Sample menus are available on request, as their produce chances depending on the seasons.

Crafty Devil’s Cellar

Location: 17 Windsor Road , Penarth , CF64 1JB
This trendy bar and café is the watering hole of choice for those who prefer their pints local and have a passion for supporting smaller, independent breweries.

Gin 64

Location: Royal Buildings , Victoria Road , Penarth , CF64 3ED
Winner of the Wales Prestige Gin Bar of the Year award in 2022, Gin 64 is small in size but big in character. Get cosy on a plush, jewel-toned couch in this intimate, 1920s-inspired bar, with candle-lit tables and opulent décor. Influences from London, New York and Paris bring an elegant, timeless ambience to the space. Whether you're a passionate gin enthusiast or more of a newcomer to the spirit, you'll be made to feel right at home enjoying your tipple in this chic setting. The friendly team behind the bar are experts on the 100+ types of gin and fine wine on offer and will be delighted to guide you through the list. The bar even distill their very own “Penarth Gin”, developed to reflect the rich history of the seaside town, which you can purchase here and take home with you.

Keyif

Location: 21 Glebe Street , Penarth , CF64 1EE
Share a selection of hot and cold mezze with friends or tuck into a hearty moussaka in this cosy Turkish-Mediterranean restaurant where the menu is as vibrant and cheery as the décor and service! A great choice for veggies and vegans with plenty of meat-free options on the menu.

Waterloo Tea

Location: 1-3 Washington Buildings , Stanwell Road , Penarth , CF64 2AD
Set in a former art gallery, the perfect spot for people watching and sipping a cup of one of world's finest teas. Also serving a selection of cakes and beautifully plated breakfasts and lunches. Let your beloved pooch tag along, as both cafés are dog friendly. Waterloo Tea also have a café on Penarth pier, if you prefer your brunch with a waterside view.

The Deck

Location: Penarth Marina , CF64 1TT
Unwind with a waterside view at this modern restaurant, bar and venue in the unique setting of Penarth Marina. Perfect for a special occasion meal or romantic date night!

The Busy Teapot

Location: 27 Glebe Street , Penarth , CF64 1EE
A much-loved local greasy spoon, the Busy Teapot on Glebe Street offers breakfasts and lunches and a friendly, unfussy atmosphere. We hear the pies are particularly good.

Pizza Pronto

Location: The Kiosk , Stanwell Road , Penarth , CF64 3EU
A pizza “Pop Up” with a permanent location by Penarth Station. Pizza Pronto is open from Thursday to Saturday until 1:30AM feeding hungry and hungover people on their way home. If you pay £1 extra for your order, Pizza Pronto will feed a homeless person on your behalf.

Brød

Location: 126 Wyndham Crescent , Penarth , CF11 9EG
Denmark is home to some of the best treats in the world and the lucky residents of Penarth get to enjoy them here too, keeping snug on comfy sofas and relaxing in the Scandi-style, light-wood surroundings. If you’re feeling spoiled for choice, we recommend starting with a Kanelsnegle, a cinnamon bun-like staple in Danish bakeries, made of traditional soft dough with a cinnamon filling and iced topping. Pair it with a hot cup of coffee and let those warm fuzzy feelings flow!

CPS Homes Guide to living in Penarth

During the Victorian and Edwardian eras, Penarth was known as ‘The Garden by the Sea’, and its picture-perfect seafront and landscaped public parks were huge draws for holidaymakers.

With its esplanade, beach and many lovely landscaped parks, Penarth remains a lovely resort town with a great community spirit. Its conservation areas still boast beautiful period architecture, making it one of the most desirable places to live in South Wales. Just five miles to the south of Cardiff, it has excellent transport links with the capital while preserving its tranquil seaside atmosphere. A popular commuter town for Cardiff, the majority of Penarth residents are families – or are taking the sea air in their retirement.

Penarth’s history is centred on the sea and trade links – 4.5 million tons of coal used to leave Penarth Docks every year. These days the docks have been developed into Penarth Marina, complete with restaurants and events including the Penarth Yacht Club Regatta and the International Festival of Food and Drink.

During the autumns, the PS Waverley can be seen continuing the grand Victorian tradition of paddle-steamer trips across the Bristol Channel.

Penarth is home to a whole host of sports and recreation clubs and societies, including cricket, rugby, football, tennis, hockey, amateur boxing, bowls, sea cadets and the very specific Nantgarw tradition of Morris dancing. On a related note, the South Wales Comedy Writers’ Society is based in Penarth.

We featured a list of the best places to eat and drink in Penarth in our latest issue of Cwtch magazine - click below to read it in full: