Things to do in Penarth
Just a short drive from Cardiff City centre lies the charming seaside town of Penarth. It’s known as the ‘Garden by the Sea’ and has made ‘The Times’ list of ‘best places to live by the sea’ in 2020, 2023 and 2025. This upmarket coastal destination boasts an elegant pavilion, a traditional pier, and a lively town centre. In fact, it is the perfect place for a short yet relaxing getaway.
At Mooneerams, our expert personal injury solicitors have close personal ties to the local communities we serve. We have taken a short break from the law to share our top tips to help you make the most of your trip to this enchanting corner of South Wales.
Penarth Pier and Pavilion
Penarth’s Victorian Pier celebrates all that is glorious about the Welsh seaside. The promenade conjures days gone by, inviting visitors to stroll along the esplanade and soak up beautiful sea views.
The restored Art Deco Penarth pier pavilion sits proudly at the Pier’s shore end, adding a touch of majesty to its timeless charm. The pavilion offers an extensive film and exhibition programme, a cultural space that keeps the pier at the heart of the community and draws tourists from all over.
Best views in Penarth
As a sanctuary of calm away from the bright lights of Cardiff Central, Penarth is a tale of two halves, combining the beauty of coastal horizons with a city skyline.
Take a seat on the Pier and enjoy the stunning views across the Bristol Channel and Severn Estuary to Cardiff Bay, which is particularly enchanting at sunrise and sunset.
High above the town, the benches of Penarth Head Park offer spectacular views over the docks and marina, flanked by Cardiff’s skyline. Feeling energetic? If so, the clifftop walk will reward your efforts with splendid panoramic vistas of the water and the urban landscape beyond.
Best Cafes and Places to Eat in Penarth
Penarth, has a way of slowing everything down. Looking out onto the wide horizon of the Bristol Channel from the Penarth seafront allows visitors space to breathe, surrounded by like-minded souls enjoying a stroll, partaking in a spot of fishing, or simply taking time out to enjoy the view.
Penarth has plenty of cosy places that welcome visitors looking for somewhere to linger over a mug of tea, read a novel, and watch the world go by.
Dotted along the seafront, the cafés on and around Penarth Pier are perfect for an unhurried coffee. Sid’s Restaurant with Rooms comes highly recommended for its homemade cakes. Meanwhile, visitors to Coffi Co can make themselves comfortable in the open courtyard overlooking the beach.
Penarth Marina Restaurants
The Galley in the Marina is known for its friendly atmosphere and quality food, with its breakfasts receiving praise. The Busy Teapot is a ‘proper café’ serving delicious, reasonably priced food, including their much-loved homemade pies.
As the sun goes down, dinner at one of Penarth’s waterfront restaurants is the perfect way to unwind. The self-proclaimed ‘home of authentic Italian cuisine in Penarth’, Romeos by the Sea, is a firm favourite with locals and tourists.
If you fancy a marina vibe, you’re spoilt for choice. Eateries catering for every foodie offer diners a lively experience against a gentle background of bobbing boats and pastel townhouses, guaranteed to make you feel a million miles from home, wherever you are from.
Attractions near Penarth
Although sometimes overshadowed by its better-known neighbours like Cardiff Bay, Porthcawl, and Barry Island, much of Penarth’s charm lies in its quiet profile. The attraction of this unassuming corner of the UK is spreading. In part, this may be due to the Pier and other parts of Penarth quickly becoming stars of the silver screen. In fact, it ranks in the top 20 most popular locations to film.
Other places worth visiting within a stone’s throw of Penarth are Cosmeston Lakes Country Park and Medieval Village.
On the coast two miles south of Penarth centre, is Lavernock Point, a nature reserve, which is also famous for the fact that radio equipment based on the cliff top here received the first wireless transmission sent from across the water.
Penarth is one of the key coastal towns on the 870-mile-long Wales Coast Path.
How to get to Penarth from Cardiff and Barry
Penarth has excellent transport links with train services to both Cardiff and Barry, frequent bus services, and water taxis from the Marina! There is also a land train that goes across the Barrage.
Whether you are here for a day trip from Cardiff, on a city break in nearby Cardiff, or as part of a tour around the Vale of Glamorgan, Penarth will not disappoint.
If you live in Penarth and need specialist personal injury advice, Mooneerams Solicitors in Cardiff are here to help.
Alternatively, you can make an appointment to see one of our personal injury solicitors near you, at Mooneerams Penarth office meeting space. Call for an appointment on 029 2199 1927.
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