One of our favourite places to visit during the summer, but also the colder months, is Cardiff Bay Wetlands, a short walk from the vibrant bay area of the Welsh capital.
It's easy to miss and many people who live in the city don't even know it's there but it's well worth seeking out as it's a lovely quiet and tranquil place to explore and soak in beautiful views across the bay and people off all ages can enjoy it.
The wetlands are completely free to explore and cover 8 hectares of former salt marsh and are now a biodiversity hotspot within the capital and is now home to a variety of birds, fish, animals and supports a rich diversity of plants and other wildlife. We regularly spot swans, moorhens, coots and ducks on our visits along with fish and damselflies.
The great thing is birds and wildlife can be seen here all year round including common Reed Buntings, Reed Warblers and Sedge Warblers which use the habitat to build their nests during the spring and summer while autumn and winter sees visitors like Teal and European Stonechat.
The easiest way to access the reserve is through the carpark next to St Davids Hotel, which brings you out on to a wide gravel walkway which is suitable for buggies and wheelchairs. There is also an impressive boardwalk which extends out over the water, offering amazing views across the Barrage and the perfect spot for some bird watching.
Kids can also enjoy doing the Wetlands Wildlife Explorer trail, you can download the map here and just remember to bring some crayons with you to create some lovely rubbings.
The Bay can be a very busy place but you feel like a world away at the Wetlands and it's a great spot to spend a relaxed hour taking a stroll or letting the kids run out some of their energy while enjoying the natural surroundings and I recommend a visit if you are in the area.
oh wow, the place is absolutely amazing. I would love to stroll around the lake, I find this very relaxing and tbh very much needed.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a great place to check out and I love wandering around nature and bodies of water.
ReplyDeleteI schedule some me-time once in a while, and Cardiff Bay Wetlands seems perfect for escaping the hustle and bustle of the city with a peaceful stroll surrounded by nature.
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