Roath Park Lake

Roath Park Lake is probably the most famous of the ten parks that make up the ten parks of Victorian Roath Park.

The lake was constructed on former boggy ground, donated by the Marquess of Bute, by building a dam accross the Nant Fawr stream.

When Roath Park Lake is ourside the former boundary of the Parish of Roath which often leads to much debate about ‘Where to is Roath?’.

The model lighthouse / clock tower was added in 1915 to commemoriate Captain Scott’s ill-fated attempt to be the first person to reach the South Pole.

Roath Park Lake - an early painting
An early painting of Roath Park Lake with just a few of the houses on Lake Road East completed. Probably painted from near where the boathouse now is. I rather like the little duck house.
Celyn Fach Cottage
Celyn Fach cottage and small holding occupied a site in Highfield Road above Roath Park Lake. William Rowland moved here with his family in 1904. The cottage was 300 years old
Roath Park Lake 1896
A colourised postcard of Roath Park Lake 1896.
Roath Park Lake
Roath Park Lake around 1900
Swimming in Roath Park Lake
Bathing used to be very popular at Roath Park Lake. Is it my imagination or has the photographer caught somebody mid-dive? The changing boxes were added in 1908.
Western Mail, 16 July 1914. Roath Park Lake. On the left is the Scott Memorial Clock Tower, rapidly nearing completion, and on the right is a “young ladies’ high-diving display”.
Roath Park Lake promonade in the 1950s
Roath Park Lake promenade in the 1950s
Roath Park 1950’s
Roath Park in the 1950’s
Aerial view of Roath Park Lake - year unknown
Aerial view of Roath Park Lake – year unknown
Paddle boats on Roath Park Lake – Easter Sunday 1975 (photo credit – Western Mail archive)
Paddle boats on Roath Park Lake in the 1960s